Eurasia Press & News

During the last few years, all of the ethnic republics of the Northern Caucasus – Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, Kabardino-Balkaria, Karachaevo-Cherkessia and Adygeia – have undergone changes in their leadership.

Amir of the Caucasus Emirate Dokka Umarov told in a statement for the mass media that the case of the former FM of CRI Akhmed Zakayev handed for investigation to the Muhabarat (Security Service) of the Caucasus Emirate.

Georgia’s President Mikheil Saakashvili held an emergency meeting of his security council Monday after the government charged that Russian helicopters had attacked a disputed gorge under Tbilisi’s control.

A Russian man held captive for 15 years in Georgia, where he was allegedly used as a slave, was handed over to Russia by Abkhazian security services. Vladimir Obidin, 68, was detained March 6 in a village after he crossed the border between Georgia and its breakaway republic of Abkhazia. …

The United States will host a peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland on Tuesday aimed at relaunching talks on Palestinian statehood after a 7-year break.Here is a timeline of events in Middle East peacemaking.

As Russia deployed additional troops to the Abkhazian conflict zone, Tbilisi has tossed around war rhetoric about Abkhazia. Georgia asserts that Russia has stationed dozens of armor and artillery systems in the territory of Abkhazia and posted 200 land troops in Ochamchire.

Lebanon’s Hezbollah militant group said on Sunday a U.S.-hosted Middle East peace conference this week was only a “media show” in support of Israel.

As Arab ministers fly in to Washington for this week’s Annapolis conference on making peace between Israel and the Palestinians, the most notable absentee is Hamas, winner of last year’s Palestinian general election.

According to Russian sources, particularly the newspaper “Kommersant” earlier owned by Boris Berezovsky, the former Minister of CHRI FM Ahmed Zakaev has declared himself the “prime minister” of Ichkeria.

Most Palestinians are skeptical Tuesday’s Annapolis peace conference can speed the creation of a state of their own but many still hope it may lead to improvements in living conditions and security.