We discussed the Caucasus, made new connections, and saw the mountains!

«The Caucasus Dialogue — 2026» has concluded: three action-packed days in Pyatigorsk, where young researchers and leading experts discussed the present and future of the Caucasus region.

What did our participants accomplish during these days?

Analyzed how the balance of power in the Caucasus is changing and the role of the global centers of power
Discussed transport routes, integration processes, and humanitarian cooperation
Tried their hand at diplomacy during a strategy game
And of course, enjoyed the southern sunshine!

Thanks to the Mashuk Knowledge Center for their hospitality, and to all participants for their willingness to delve into even the most complex topics.

Let’s look back on the highlights of the program!

Learn more about the program results on our website.

#CaucasusDialogue #MashukKnowledgeCenter

What if international relations were a game?

Participants spent the second day of «The Caucasus Dialogue — 2026» playing an interactive strategic simulation game developed by the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy.

The main topic was digital sovereignty and security.

Participants were divided into four teams: two fictitious states and two tech giants offering their own digital security solutions.

Then everything was just like in big politics:

defend your own interests (both overt and covert);
negotiate and seek alliances;
conclude agreements;
respond to new challenges and change strategy on the fly

Of course, there were some unexpected twists: the moderators regularly changed the gameplay, forcing participants to reconsider existing agreements and seek new compromises.

It seems that every participant managed to feel like a true diplomat!

#CaucasusDialogue #MashukKnowledgeCenter

The big conversation about the Caucasus has begun!

«The Caucasus Dialogue — 2026», the Gorchakov Fund's flagship scientific and educational program on contemporary processes in the region, has launched in Pyatigorsk at the Mashuk Knowledge Center.

This year, 50 young specialists from 10 countries, together with leading experts, are discussing the Caucasus, which today lies at the intersection of interests of global power centers.

During the first day, participants have already:

discussed how the balance of power in the Caucasus is changing;
discovered why transport routes are becoming a tool of geopolitics;
explored the region through the eyes of experts from Russia, Armenia, Georgia, Iran, India, and the United States.

And in the evening, participants had their first preparation session for the traditional strategic modelling game hosted by the Council on Foreign and Defense Policy.

Press ⚡️ to support the participants!

Read more about the program on the Fund's website.

#CaucasusDialogue #MashukKnowledgeCenter

Is the South Caucasus a center of gravity?

To mark the launch of «The Caucasus Dialogue — 2026" program, we are publishing a new analytical paper from the Gorchakov Fund, «The South Caucasus in the Global Interests of External Actors».

Author — Sergey Zhiltsov, Doctor of Political Science, Head of the Department of Political Science and Political Philosophy at the Diplomatic Academy of MGIMO University.

The expert analyzes how the balance of power in the South Caucasus is changing and what role Russia, the US, the EU, Turkey, and China play in the region today. Political, economic, and transport projects are explored, as well as the transformation of the foreign policy priorities of the countries in the region.

Key questions include:

Why is the South Caucasus currently the focus of attention for major global players?
Who really benefits from new transport corridors and logistics projects?
What could the new balance of power look like in the coming years?

Find answers to these and other questions in the paper — and share it with others!

#CaucasusDialogue #analytics

🔴 #LIVE: Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks at the XII International Scientific and Expert Forum Primakov Readings

Ruptly

Russia's MFA Website

Five days, two cities, and countless discussions about the Balkans

«The Balkan Dialogue — 2026» concluded in Sremski Karlovci. This year, our flagship program brought together over 30 young professionals, researchers, and representatives of public organizations from Russia and the Balkan region.

Over these days, participants managed to:

Understand how the energy map of Southeastern Europe is changing and what challenges the region faces
Discuss security issues, the transformation of international alliances, and the impact of global processes on the Balkans
Discuss media and narrative-shaping mechanisms
Try their hand at diplomacy through a simulation game aimed at developing their own agreement on regional security
Meet experts and colleagues from different countries—and make new friends!

It's symbolic that the program coincided with the opening of the Ragusa Hub international youth center — a new space opened by the Gorchakov Fund in partnership with Ragusa autonomous non-profit organisation and the World Youth Festival Directorate.

Learn more about the program's results on the Fund's website.

We came to the conclusion that the more you learn about the Balkans, the more you want to know!

#BalkanDialogue #Balkans #Serbia