TBILISI, August 4 – In a wide-ranging interview, Georgian security analyst Andro Gotsiridze said there is growing fear that the country’s security apparatus is no longer functioning in service of the state, but instead serving a narrow political elite. Speaking to Interpressnews, Gotsiridze painted a bleak picture of Georgia’s deteriorating defense and intelligence institutions, warning … Read more
TBILISI, July 31 – Georgia may face increasing political isolation and domestic instability unless its current leadership changes course, according to analyst Vakhtang Dzabiradze. He warns that the ruling Georgian Dream (GD) party’s recent rhetoric and actions reflect a clear shift away from European integration. In a wide-ranging interview, constitutional lawyer and political analyst Vakhtang … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–The push from Georgian Dream (GD) party founder Bidzina Ivanishvili to challenge Western-funded NGOs should be seen not as a turn toward Russia, but as an attempt to assert greater political autonomy, according to political analyst Mirian Mirianashvili. In an interview with Interpressnews, he argued that recent political developments in Georgia reflect a broader … Read more
I acquainted with Neil Macfarlane since the last century: it was 1990 when we met each other for the first time at some round table held by the Georgian MFA to discuss the never-ending dilemma Georgia had been trying to resolve for centuries: how to preserve our identity and do that in a more or … Read more
Zuhdi Janbek is a prominent Jordanian statesman, politician and public figure. He held different high-level positions in the Jordanian hierarchy throughout his outstanding career, among them the post of the President of Circassian Charity Association in Jordan 2017 – 2020. Mr. Janbek is a prominent public security expert with 33 years of work. He used … Read more
“I am a little surprised to be talking about this in the context of Georgia, because such a campaign against American NGOs is being run out of the Kremlin […] When we hear foreign politicians, foreign governments, attacking American NGO’s it is usually in cases like Russia and China, where there is no political freedom, … Read more
Voice of America’s Georgian Service’s Anna Kalandadze talked to Robert Hamilton, Professor of Eurasian Studies at the US Army War College in Washington about trending topics in current-day Georgia. VoA: How do you assess the Anti-Russia protests that are ongoing in Tbilisi? What are the protests all about? Robert Hamilton: The direct catalyst for the … Read more
TBILISI, DFWatch–Tbilisi City Court has placed Nika Gvaramia under GEL 40,000 bail in a controversial corruption trial that the opposition calls politically motivated. Initially, the Prosecutor’s Office wanted even stricter bail conditions: GEL 80,000 bail and banning the former head of Rustavi 2 from leaving the country. Gvaramia claims the case is politically motivated and … Read more
The NATO was founded in April of 1949 by Washington treaty, and at a time aimed to prevent Soviet aggression in Europe. In 21st century, the NATO’s role and agenda has changed. But the Alliance remains a deterrent against growing Russian threat in Europe. Ani Chkhikvadze, reporter for VOA’s Georgian Service, set down with Dr. … Read more
Voice of America’s Anna Kalandadze discussed aftermath and fallout of the first round of presidential elections in Georgia with leading Eurasia analysts in Washington. Anna Kalandadze is VOA Georgian chief and can be followed on twitter @anavoa. VOA: Latest Presidential elections were marred by dozens of procedural irregularities, inappropriate media coverage, inadequate electoral environment, public … Read more