Groong Links:
Guest:
Topics:
- Effects of the Shutdown of USAID
- Georgia and the EU
- Georgia and the South Caucasus
Episode 412 | Recorded: February 9, 2025
Show Notes
The Estrangement of Georgia and the West
Main Topics Addressed
- The Impact of USAID’s Shutdown – The implications of USAID’s temporary funding freeze and its effect on NGOs, media, and political processes in Georgia.
- Georgia and the EU – The deepening rift between Georgia and the European Union, including Georgia’s decision to freeze its EU membership drive and recall representatives from PACE.
- Georgia and the South Caucasus – Georgia’s role in regional diplomacy, including its offer to mediate Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks and its trilateral cooperation initiative with Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Key Questions Discussed
The Impact of USAID’s Shutdown
- What was USAID’s financial role in Georgia, and what effects will its funding freeze have on NGOs and media?
- How did USAID’s $40M election support compare to past controversies, such as RussiaGate in the U.S.?
- What is the current state of NGOs in Georgia after the elections and the adoption of the “Transparency of Foreign Influence” law?
Georgia and the EU
- What are the primary reasons behind Georgia’s estrangement from the EU?
- With Georgia-West relations worsening, is there a corresponding improvement in Georgia-Russia relations?
Georgia and the South Caucasus
- What is Georgia’s rationale for proposing peace facilitation between Armenia and Azerbaijan?
- What are the details of Georgia’s trilateral cooperation proposal with Armenia and Azerbaijan?
- How does Georgia’s fallout with the EU affect Armenia’s EU aspirations?
Referenced Articles & Sources
USAID Funding & Media Impact:
Georgian Political Landscape & Protests:
Regional Developments & Georgia’s Mediation Role:
Wrap-up
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Guests
Archil Sikharulidze
Dr. Archil Sikharulidze is a founder of the Tbilisi-based research institute SIKHA foundation, in the Republic of Georgia. He holds masters degrees in International Relations from Tbilisi State University, and Public Administration from The Robert Gordon University in Scotland. Mr. Sikharulidze is focused on Russian and Islamic Studies. Additionally, political processes and international relations in Ukraine, the South Caucasus and Kazakhstan. He writes extensively for various local and international platforms such as OpenDemocracy, NewEasternEurope, CommonSpace.EU, RIAC, and Russia in Global Politics.
Hosts
Asbed Bedrossian
Asbed is founder of the Armenian News Network Groong and co-founder of the ANN/Groong podcast.
Hovik Manucharyan
Hovik Manucharyan is an information security engineer who moved from Seattle to Armenia in 2022. He co-founded the ANN/Groong podcast in 2020 and has been a contributor to Groong News since the late 1990s.
Disclaimer: The views expressed by Hovik Manucharyan on the ANN/Groong podcast are his own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of his employer or any other organization.