How come North Caucasians are genetically closer to Middle Easterns rather than Eastern Europeans?

[cyberlorian]

I would expect them to stand between Georgians and Russians. However, they do not. Why are they pretty far from Russians in terms of DNA even though they have been living in Russia for centuries?
https://image.ibb.co/irsqCT/5jbkEdu.png

[War Chef]

Because they used to skull-fuck steppe nomads for centuries, and did not mix with those subhuman trash, including the human excrement who now call themselves Rus.

[Haider]

What do you mean by living in 'Russia' for centuries? Russians only conquered the Caucasus two centuries ago, and most of what is now Ukraine and Southern Russia used to be inhabited by Iranians.

[Lauχum]

Genetic isolation due to the geography. Rugged mountains and hills aren't very attractive for migrating groups.

[Myanthropologies]

Genetic isolation due to the geography. Rugged mountains and hills aren't very attractive for migrating groups.

Actually, a recent study on the genetics of the Caucasus (both ancient and modern) suggested that in ancient times, the Caucasus acted as a bridge, not a barrier for gene flow.

The North Caucasus used to be all Armenian like genetically until the bronze age when it received steppe admixture.

[Myanthropologies]

To answer OPs question, it is simply because Middle Easterners harbor a lot of Caucasus Hunter Gatherer related ancestry. However, the plot you are using is really old. They are genetically closer to Balkanic East Europeans than they are to Levantines, but are genetically closer to Iranians, Turks, Afghans, and Kurds than to Europeans.

[War Chef]

The North Caucasus used to be all Armenian like genetically until the bronze age when it received steppe admixture.

Yup, however the bulk of steppe admixture may have came at a later time, Alans, Kahazars etc.

[Gründig]

Because that picture doesn't mean anything...

[StonyArabia]

To answer OPs question, it is simply because Middle Easterners harbor a lot of Caucasus Hunter Gatherer related ancestry. However, the plot you are using is really old. They are genetically closer to Balkanic East Europeans than they are to Levantines, but are genetically closer to Iranians, Turks, Afghans, and Kurds than to Europeans.

Levantines were originally Arabian like, but gotten Anatolian admixture, and then they again got Arabian like admixed from the conquests. Also the Arabian tribes moved with women and children. This why Levantines are closer to Arabians genetically. The Caucasus was very Armenian like but they often got steppe admix and also they have some Mongol elements which probably brought by the Kipchaks. Kipchaks were large confederation of both European like and Mongolian like people. Many used Kipchak as lingua franca for example. Until the language gets adopted by the Golden Horde. However the reason why Iranians and Turks look different from North Caucasians is also due to climate and not only due to admixture.

[Pahli]

Its because their dominant component is Caucasian which is also high in neighbouring countries and among some Armenians, Kurds and Iranians, but samples from ancient Georgia shows they had ancient EHG / Steppe admixture for a very long time and it has only increased ever since, with North East Caucasians having the most Steppe admix today, Lezgins and Chechens mainly.