GEORGIA | Abandoning the West?

Is Georgia falling under Russia’s influence? Recent mass demonstrations in Georgia have highlighted the country's complex geopolitical relationship between the West and Russia. Despite parts of Georgia being under Russian occupation and its government supporting EU membership, there are growing accusations of a drift towards Russia. But is this really the case?

Having once been a major kingdom in the Caucasus, Georgia fell under Russian control at the start of the nineteenth century. After a brief independence after the First World War, Georgia was incorporated into the Soviet Union until it declared independence in 1991. However, its first years of statehood were marked by chaos and conflict. As well as a civil war, two territories - South Ossetia and Abkhazia - tried to break away with Moscow’s support. In 2008, under President Mikheil Saakashvili, Georgia and Russia went to war. However, since 2012, the current government, led by the Georgian Dream coalition under its billionaire leader, Bidzina Ivanishvili, has maintained a pro-Western orientation and taken a more conciliatory approach towards Russia. However, domestic political issues and accusations of democratic backsliding have fueled concerns about increasing Russian influence, as highlighted by the passing of the controversial “foreign agents law”. So, just what exactly is happening in Georgia?

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*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Titles
00:49 Georgia, Russia and Realignments in International Relations
01:25 Georgia: Location and Population
02:13 A Short History of Georgia
04:21 Independent Georgia: Chaos and Conflict
06:40 Georgian Dream and Relations with Russia
08:47 Georgia, Russia and the Ukraine War
11:40 Is Georgia Really Turning Towards Russia?
14:00 Georgia at a Crossroads?

*SOURCES AND FURTHER READING*
Georgia | Foreign Ministry
Georgia Dream
European Union | Georgia

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#Georgia #Russia #Caucasus

[JamesKerLindsay]

This has been a question that has been on my mind for ages. There’s all sorts of talk about how Georgia is coming under Russia’s influence. But how can we talk about Georgia moving closer to Russia when Russia still occupies part of its territory, and the country is so overtly in favour of joining the European Union? The answer isn’t as straightforward as presented in many circles - including by the Georgian opposition and much of the Western media. But let me know what you think. Is Georgia moving closer to Moscow? Or is it really a case of separate but aligned interests?

[ScroogePercenter]

Could the issue be that the EU and the USA don't want their influence in Georgia to be made transparent?

[MegaTatatatira]

Same low is in power in the U.S. and in many EU countryes. But as Romans were saing.. "rules are not the same for Jupiter and bull."
So, when the West is controlimg financing of their NGO's from foreing donors, that is protection of national interests, but when Georgia is doing the same, that is "non democtratic" bla.bla.bla...

[trl_xprking]

Georgia should not let NATO drag them into war with Russia.

[isaacmoran]

That man doesn't want Ursula von derleyen to tell him what to do,
This man doesn't want the CIA to interfere in Georgia s internal affairs,
Who the hell is USA UK and European union to tell people what to do?

[jonm]

I thought very similar foreign agent - foreign influence laws are in force in all Western countries? This aspect is never mentioned in our news, I wonder why…

[isaackinyua]

Georgia is a free nation. We are in a multi-polar world.

[iany]

These small countries bordering Russia should have the wisdom of maintaining democratic systems and rule of law domestically while not to antagonizing Russia. The two does not have to be mutually exclusive. Ukrainian political class failed the nation and its people in this regard, and country is paying a heavy price.

[Fummy]

The law isnt a "Russian law" its an anti-Russian law. Russian funded NGOs in Georgia should have to declare who is funding them. NGOs funded by other countries, US, China, EU members also have to declare. Seems fair enough to me.

[andrewsmith]

How is ensuring organisations declaring if they have foreign funding undemocratic? I thought transparency was desirable in a democracy.

[chanpasadopolska]

Jeżeli ustawa o zagranicznych agentach jest dobrze napisana to powinna wskazywać zarówno agentów zachodnich jak i rosyjskich tak więc w takiej sytuacji nie można mówić o jakimś prorosyjskim zabarwieniu tej ustawy. A jeżeli jest inaczej to proszę wskazać co w tej ustawie jest takiego że faworyzuje agentów rosyjskich nad zachodnimi. Bo jeżeli czegoś takiego nikt nie jest w stanie wskazać a media zachodnie dalej będą się upierać że ustawa jest prorosyjska, to myślę że sensownym założeniem będzie stwierdzić że powód tego jest taki że w Gruzji działa więcej agentów zachodnich od rosyjskich i ich taka ustawa bardziej dotyka.

[sturmanaskie]

Why are America and European countries allowed to have foreign agent laws and not Georgia ?

[jonathangammond]

Ivanishvili, the man behind Georgian Dream gets considerably more than 20% of his money from abroad so he had better register himself as a 'foreign agent'.

[matveikrouguer]

why united states doesn't want Georgia has a law similar to American FARA? Maybe usa wants to have some infuence over Georgia. No No, it cannot be, America never intervene into other countries internal affairs.

[vangelisskia]

USA have an almost identical foreign agents law... This alone shows the HYPOCRICY...

[raymondmckinley]

Neutrality Studies on YouTube has a good look at this subject, well worth a watch.

[asdrubalanibal]

Is Georgia moving towards Moscow?

Is Mexico moving towards Washington DC?

Is Vietnam moving towards Beijing?

[jorbdan]

I've read quite a few articles on the foreign agent bill and been unable to find answers for many of my questions. How exactly does this bill violate EU laws and prevent accession? Why is it assumed that the bill would produce similar effects to a Russian equivalent in 2012 that was used as a pretext to shut down oppositional outlets? Wouldn't shutting down oppositional outlets illegal regardless of whether the bill passes? In what way exactly does the foreign agent bill mirror Russian legislation?

[ballerblocks]

Georgia trying to be independent of both sides, means it's moving towards moscow?

[dragosstanciu]

Georgia needs prosperity, not internal conflicts. The government must improve the standard of living, not antagonize the citizens.