Mikheil Saakashvili

Last updated: May 29, 2026

Mikheil Saakashvili served as President of Georgia from 2004 to 2013. His tenure was marked by significant pro-Western reforms, the 2008 war with Russia over South Ossetia and Abkhazia, and the consolidation of Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. After leaving office he pursued a political career in Ukraine before returning to Georgia, where he was arrested and imprisoned by the Georgian Dream government.

Groong episodes covering Saakashvili situate him within the broader South Caucasus geopolitical picture relevant to Armenia: the trajectory of Georgian politics, the Russia factor, the divergent paths of Georgia and Armenia in their relations with Moscow and the West, and the political repression in Georgia that has parallels observers draw to trends in Armenia under Pashinyan .

Groong episodes that include this tag

Below are all Groong episodes tagged with Mikheil Saakashvili.

Mikael Darbinian - Armenia’s Borders, TRIPP, and the Price of Weakness | Ep 540, May 6, 2026 [EP540]

Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Armenian News, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, NATO, Iran, Georgia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Strong Armenia security doctrine
  • Azerbaijani occupation of Armenian territory
  • TRIPP and Zangezur Corridor risks
  • Diplomacy from a position of strength
  • EPC optics and national insecurity

Episode 540 | Recorded: May 5, 2026

#Armenia #Artsakh #StrongArmenia #MikaelDarbinian #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #ArmenianSecurity #SouthCaucasus

Mikael Darbinian - Armenia’s Borders, TRIPP, and the Price of Weakness | Ep 540, May 6, 2026 [EP540]

Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Armenian News, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, NATO, Iran, Georgia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union

Guest:

Topics:

  • Strong Armenia security doctrine
  • Azerbaijani occupation of Armenian territory
  • TRIPP and Zangezur Corridor risks
  • Diplomacy from a position of strength
  • EPC optics and national insecurity

Episode 540 | Recorded: May 5, 2026

#Armenia #Artsakh #StrongArmenia #MikaelDarbinian #TRIPP #ZangezurCorridor #ArmenianSecurity #SouthCaucasus

Transcript: Mikael Darbinian - Armenia’s Borders, TRIPP, and the Price of Weakness | Ep 540, May 6, 2026 [EP540]

Posted on Wednesday, May 6, 2026 | Category: Armenia, Politics, Geopolitics, Armenian News, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkey, NATO, Iran, Georgia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, European Union, Transcript

This Conversations on Groong episode with Mikael Darbinian examines Armenia’s security crisis through the lens of the Strong Armenia doctrine. The discussion focuses on deterrence, diplomacy from a position of strength, Azerbaijani positions inside Armenia’s sovereign territory, the risks around TRIPP and the Zangezur Corridor, the rights of Artsakh Armenians, regional war scenarios involving Iran, and the gap between international political theater and Armenia’s unresolved national security threats.

Jeffrey Sachs - TRIPP down Zangezur Corridor | Ep 466, Aug 29, 2025 [EP466]

Posted on Friday, Aug 29, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, USA, Economy, Israel, European Union, NATO | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan, Aliyev, in the White House
  • What “Peace”?
  • Armenian Economy

Episode 466 | Recorded: August 28, 2025

Jeffrey Sachs - TRIPP down Zangezur Corridor | Ep 466, Aug 29, 2025 [EP466]

Posted on Friday, Aug 29, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, USA, Economy, Israel, European Union, NATO

Guest:

Topics:

  • Pashinyan, Aliyev, in the White House
  • What “Peace”?
  • Armenian Economy

Episode 466 | Recorded: August 28, 2025

Transcript: Jeffrey Sachs - TRIPP down Zangezur Corridor | Ep 466, Aug 29, 2025 [EP466]

Posted on Friday, Aug 29, 2025 | Category: Armenia, Geopolitics, Azerbaijan, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Georgia, USA, Economy, Israel, European Union, NATO, Transcript

In this episode of Conversations on Groong, renowned economist Jeffrey Sachs joins to discuss the U.S.-brokered “TRIPP” (Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity), also known as the Zangezur Corridor. The discussion covers the risks of foreign powers imposing corridors through Armenia, the muted response from Moscow, Tehran’s strong opposition, and what this means for regional security. Sachs stresses that Armenia should not look to distant powers like the United States for security or stability, but instead pursue prudent arrangements and economic cooperation with its immediate  Read More

Archil Sikharulidze - The Estrangement of Georgia and the West | Ep 412, Feb 10, 2025 [EP412]

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Armenia, Russia, European Union, NATO, Ukraine, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Human Rights, Iran, Economy, Geopolitics | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Effects of the Shutdown of USAID
  • Georgia and the EU
  • Georgia and the South Caucasus

Episode 412 | Recorded: February 9, 2025

Archil Sikharulidze - The Estrangement of Georgia and the West | Ep 412, Feb 10, 2025 [EP412]

Posted on Tuesday, Feb 11, 2025 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Armenia, Russia, European Union, NATO, Ukraine, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Human Rights, Iran, Economy, Geopolitics

Guest:

Topics:

  • Effects of the Shutdown of USAID
  • Georgia and the EU
  • Georgia and the South Caucasus

Episode 412 | Recorded: February 9, 2025

Ivan Katchanovski on the Maidan Massacre, Ukraine War, and Implications | Ep 393 - Dec 9, 2024 [EP393]

Posted on Monday, Dec 9, 2024 | Category: Ukraine, Politics, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, NATO, European Union, Israel, Human Rights, Geopolitics | Series: cog

Guest:

SUPPORT PROF. KATCHANOVSI’S WORK HERE: https://gofund.me/52b68e07

Topics:

  • The War in Ukraine
  • Trump’s “Eastern Approaches”
  • The Maidan Massacre and Its Legacy
  • Maidanization of Georgia?
  • Armenia in the Shadow of Ukraine

Episode 393 | Recorded: December 7, 2024

Ivan Katchanovski on the Maidan Massacre, Ukraine War, and Implications | Ep 393 - Dec 9, 2024 [EP393]

Posted on Monday, Dec 9, 2024 | Category: Ukraine, Politics, Russia, Georgia, Armenia, NATO, European Union, Israel, Human Rights, Geopolitics

Guest:

SUPPORT PROF. KATCHANOVSI’S WORK HERE: https://gofund.me/52b68e07

Topics:

  • The War in Ukraine
  • Trump’s “Eastern Approaches”
  • The Maidan Massacre and Its Legacy
  • Maidanization of Georgia?
  • Armenia in the Shadow of Ukraine

Episode 393 | Recorded: December 7, 2024

Jeffrey Sachs - Escalation in Syria, COP29, Advice for Armenia | Ep 391 - Dec 5, 2024 [EP391]

Posted on Thursday, Dec 5, 2024 | Category: Syria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, USA, Turkey, Russia, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh, Iran, Ukraine, Israel, Middle East, Georgia, BRICS, NATO, Geopolitics, China, European Union, Lebanon | Series: cog, video

Guest:

Topics:

  • Escalation in Syria
  • COP29 Summit
  • Can NATO save Armenia?

Episode 391 | Recorded: December 4, 2024

Jeffrey Sachs - Escalation in Syria, COP29, Advice for Armenia | Ep 391 - Dec 5, 2024 [EP391]

Posted on Thursday, Dec 5, 2024 | Category: Syria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, USA, Turkey, Russia, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh, Iran, Ukraine, Israel, Middle East, Georgia, BRICS, NATO, Geopolitics, China, European Union, Lebanon

Guest:

Topics:

  • Escalation in Syria
  • COP29 Summit
  • Can NATO save Armenia?

Episode 391 | Recorded: December 4, 2024

Transcript: Jeffrey Sachs - Escalation in Syria, COP29, Advice for Armenia | Ep 391 - Dec 5, 2024 [EP391]

Posted on Thursday, Dec 5, 2024 | Category: Syria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, USA, Turkey, Russia, Nagorno Karabakh, Artsakh, Iran, Ukraine, Israel, Middle East, Georgia, BRICS, NATO, Geopolitics, China, European Union, Lebanon, Transcript

Escalation in Syria. COP29 Summit. Can NATO save Armenia?

Archil Sikharulidze - Georgia Elections Aftermath and The Situation in Abkhazia | Ep 388, Dec 1, 2024 [EP388]

Posted on Saturday, Nov 30, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Armenia, Russia, European Union, NATO, Ukraine, China, Economy, Turkey, Syria, Iran, India | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Constitutional Crisis In Georgia?
  • Western Reactions and Escalation
  • Russian Reactions and Georgia’s Strategic Direction
  • Unrest In Abkhazia

Episode 388 | Recorded: November 30, 2024

Archil Sikharulidze - Georgia Elections Aftermath and The Situation in Abkhazia | Ep 388, Dec 1, 2024 [EP388]

Posted on Saturday, Nov 30, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Armenia, Russia, European Union, NATO, Ukraine, China, Economy, Turkey, Syria, Iran, India

Guest:

Topics:

  • Constitutional Crisis In Georgia?
  • Western Reactions and Escalation
  • Russian Reactions and Georgia’s Strategic Direction
  • Unrest In Abkhazia

Episode 388 | Recorded: November 30, 2024

Johnny G. Melikian - Georgia Elections Outcome, Political Landscape, Effect on Armenia | Ep 381 - Nov 3, 2024 [EP381]

Posted on Sunday, Nov 3, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Politics, Russia, European Union, Turkey, Economy, NATO, China, Iran, Ukraine | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgian Elections Outcome
  • Political Landscape
  • Effect on Armenia and Beyond

Episode 381 | Recorded: November 3, 2024

Johnny G. Melikian - Georgia Elections Outcome, Political Landscape, Effect on Armenia | Ep 381 - Nov 3, 2024 [EP381]

Posted on Sunday, Nov 3, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Politics, Russia, European Union, Turkey, Economy, NATO, China, Iran, Ukraine

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgian Elections Outcome
  • Political Landscape
  • Effect on Armenia and Beyond

Episode 381 | Recorded: November 3, 2024

Sopo Japaridze - Georgian Parliamentary Elections, October 2024 | Ep 377 - Oct 25, 2024 [EP377]

Posted on Friday, Oct 25, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Russia, European Union, Ukraine, NATO, Genocide, China, Iran, Israel | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgian Elections in 2024
  • Election Landscape
  • Themes of the Campaigns
  • Comparison with Moldova 2024
  • Outcomes and Expectations

Episode 377 | Recorded: October 23, 2024

Sopo Japaridze - Georgian Parliamentary Elections, October 2024 | Ep 377 - Oct 25, 2024 [EP377]

Posted on Friday, Oct 25, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Russia, European Union, Ukraine, NATO, Genocide, China, Iran, Israel

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgian Elections in 2024
  • Election Landscape
  • Themes of the Campaigns
  • Comparison with Moldova 2024
  • Outcomes and Expectations

Episode 377 | Recorded: October 23, 2024

Nino Skvortsova - Political Science, Politics, and Identity in Georgia, Relations with Armenia | Ep 375 - Oct 21, 2024 [EP375]

Posted on Monday, Oct 21, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Elections, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, USA, European Union, NATO, Iran, China, Economy, Genocide, Geopolitics, Israel, Lebanon, Middle East, Ukraine | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Political Science in Georgia
  • Elections and Potential Political Pivot
  • Influences on Georgian Identity
  • Georgia-Armenia Relations

Episode 375 | Recorded: October 15, 2024

Nino Skvortsova - Political Science, Politics, and Identity in Georgia, Relations with Armenia | Ep 375 - Oct 21, 2024 [EP375]

Posted on Monday, Oct 21, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Elections, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, USA, European Union, NATO, Iran, China, Economy, Genocide, Geopolitics, Israel, Lebanon, Middle East, Ukraine

Guest:

Topics:

  • Political Science in Georgia
  • Elections and Potential Political Pivot
  • Influences on Georgian Identity
  • Georgia-Armenia Relations

Episode 375 | Recorded: October 15, 2024

Nikoloz Bitsadze - Georgian Elections in October 2024| Ep 370 - Sep 26, 2024 [EP370]

Posted on Thursday, Sep 26, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Elections, Azerbaijan, Russia, USA, Human Rights, European Union, Turkey, Genocide, NATO, China, Geopolitics, Ukraine | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Election, Politics, and The Geopolitical Context
  • Who are the Major External Influencers in Georgia’s Politics?
  • Is Talk of Civilizational Catastrophe, or Rapprochement with Abkhazia/South Ossetia Election-time Populism?
  • Neutrality and Georgian-Armenian Relations

Episode 370 | Recorded: September 21, 2024

Nikoloz Bitsadze - Georgian Elections in October 2024| Ep 370 - Sep 26, 2024 [EP370]

Posted on Thursday, Sep 26, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Elections, Azerbaijan, Russia, USA, Human Rights, European Union, Turkey, Genocide, NATO, China, Geopolitics, Ukraine

Guest:

Topics:

  • Election, Politics, and The Geopolitical Context
  • Who are the Major External Influencers in Georgia’s Politics?
  • Is Talk of Civilizational Catastrophe, or Rapprochement with Abkhazia/South Ossetia Election-time Populism?
  • Neutrality and Georgian-Armenian Relations

Episode 370 | Recorded: September 21, 2024

David Darchiashvili - Georgian Elections in October 2024| Ep 363 - Sep 14, 2024 [EP363]

Posted on Saturday, Sep 14, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Elections, Azerbaijan, Russia, USA, Human Rights, Armenian Church, European Union, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran, Economy, NATO, China | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Election and Politics, and The Geopolitical Context
  • Who are the Major External Influencers in Georgia’s Politics?
  • Why is the EU hell bent against the Law on “Foreign Agents”?
  • Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Russia Relations

Episode 363 | Recorded: September 11, 2024

David Darchiashvili - Georgian Elections in October 2024| Ep 363 - Sep 14, 2024 [EP363]

Posted on Saturday, Sep 14, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Elections, Azerbaijan, Russia, USA, Human Rights, Armenian Church, European Union, Turkey, Ukraine, Iran, Economy, NATO, China

Guest:

Topics:

  • Election and Politics, and The Geopolitical Context
  • Who are the Major External Influencers in Georgia’s Politics?
  • Why is the EU hell bent against the Law on “Foreign Agents”?
  • Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Russia Relations

Episode 363 | Recorded: September 11, 2024

Archil Sikharulidze - Georgian Politics, Amidst Global Currents. Attacks Against the Georgian Church, Book on Russian and Georgian Relations | Ep 356, Aug 23, 2024 [EP356]

Posted on Friday, Aug 23, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Russia, Armenian Church, European Union, Turkey, Ukraine, NATO, Economy, Human Rights, Iran, Genocide, Geopolitics | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgian Politics, Amidst Global Currents
  • Attacks Against the Georgian Church
  • Thoughts on Russian and Georgian Relations

Episode 356 | Recorded: Aug 21, 2024

Archil Sikharulidze - Georgian Politics, Amidst Global Currents. Attacks Against the Georgian Church, Book on Russian and Georgian Relations | Ep 356, Aug 23, 2024 [EP356]

Posted on Friday, Aug 23, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Russia, Armenian Church, European Union, Turkey, Ukraine, NATO, Economy, Human Rights, Iran, Genocide, Geopolitics

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgian Politics, Amidst Global Currents
  • Attacks Against the Georgian Church
  • Thoughts on Russian and Georgian Relations

Episode 356 | Recorded: Aug 21, 2024

Archil Sikharulidze - Georgian Law on Foreign Agents | Tavush Movement in Armenia | Parallels in Foreign Influence | Ep 332 - May 26, 2024 [EP332]

Posted on Sunday, May 26, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Russia, European Union, NATO, Iran, Turkey, Ukraine, Human Rights, China, Economy, Genocide | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgian Law on Foreign Agents
  • Politics and Diplomacy of Armenia
  • Parallels and Lessons from Georgia

Episode 332 | Recorded: May 25, 2024

Archil Sikharulidze - Georgian Law on Foreign Agents | Tavush Movement in Armenia | Parallels in Foreign Influence | Ep 332 - May 26, 2024 [EP332]

Posted on Sunday, May 26, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Russia, European Union, NATO, Iran, Turkey, Ukraine, Human Rights, China, Economy, Genocide

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgian Law on Foreign Agents
  • Politics and Diplomacy of Armenia
  • Parallels and Lessons from Georgia

Episode 332 | Recorded: May 25, 2024

Sopo Japaridze - USSR: A Common Home & History | Georgia’s Foreign Agent Bill | Armenian Georgian Relations | Ep 330 - May 18, 2024 [EP330]

Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, USSR, Armenian Genocide, Russia, Turkey, China, Genocide, NATO, Ukraine, Iran, Israel, European Union, Human Rights | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • USSR: A common Home & History
  • Georgia’s Foreign Agent Bill
  • Armenia-Georgian Relations

Episode 330 | Recorded: May 17, 2024

Sopo Japaridze - USSR: A Common Home & History | Georgia’s Foreign Agent Bill | Armenian Georgian Relations | Ep 330 - May 18, 2024 [EP330]

Posted on Saturday, May 18, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, USSR, Armenian Genocide, Russia, Turkey, China, Genocide, NATO, Ukraine, Iran, Israel, European Union, Human Rights

Guest:

Topics:

  • USSR: A common Home & History
  • Georgia’s Foreign Agent Bill
  • Armenia-Georgian Relations

Episode 330 | Recorded: May 17, 2024

Archil Sikharulidze - Georgia, Armenia, Partnership & Politics in the South Caucasus | Ep 315 - Mar 13, 2024 [EP315]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 13, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, India, European Union, NATO, Ukraine, Iran, Genocide, Economy, Human Rights | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgian Nationalism and Identity
  • Georgia, Armenia, post 2018
  • Accession to the EU
  • Strategic Partnership

Episode 315 | Recorded: March 12, 2024

Archil Sikharulidze - Georgia, Armenia, Partnership & Politics in the South Caucasus | Ep 315 - Mar 13, 2024 [EP315]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 13, 2024 | Category: Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey, Russia, India, European Union, NATO, Ukraine, Iran, Genocide, Economy, Human Rights

Guest:

Topics:

  • Georgian Nationalism and Identity
  • Georgia, Armenia, post 2018
  • Accession to the EU
  • Strategic Partnership

Episode 315 | Recorded: March 12, 2024

Johnny Melikian on the Georgia Law on Foreign Agents, Protests and Aftermath| Ep 238 - March 15, 2023 [EP238]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 15, 2023 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Armenia, Ukraine, European Union, Russia, Economy, Human Rights, India | Series: cog

Guest:

Topics:

  • On March 7, the Georgian parliament voted into law a bill that would require political actors to clarify their foreign funding sources and their activities to lobby lawmakers with such funding. This ignited large protests in Tbilisi, and on March 9 the parliament agreed to rescind the law and to release arrested opposition members. We analyze the events and the outcome.

Episode 238 | Recorded: March 15, 2023

Johnny Melikian on the Georgia Law on Foreign Agents, Protests and Aftermath| Ep 238 - March 15, 2023 [EP238]

Posted on Wednesday, Mar 15, 2023 | Category: Georgia, Politics, Armenia, Ukraine, European Union, Russia, Economy, Human Rights, India

Guest:

Topics:

  • On March 7, the Georgian parliament voted into law a bill that would require political actors to clarify their foreign funding sources and their activities to lobby lawmakers with such funding. This ignited large protests in Tbilisi, and on March 9 the parliament agreed to rescind the law and to release arrested opposition members. We analyze the events and the outcome.

Episode 238 | Recorded: March 15, 2023