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?
@jakef.71263 ай бұрын
It really is that simple. Dream party is pretending to be pro-EU to placate Georgians (unsuccessfully), but is working hand in hand with Moscow to erode Georgian sovereignty. It shouldn't be complicated, we have seen the same thing in Moldova and Ukraine where a partially russian occupied nation is subverted by Moscow backed agents.
@Todd.B3 ай бұрын
I still have a hard time even fathoming the concept that any country right now would be looking toward Russia as a positive move for their future. Russia is not the same country it was in 2021 even, oil and gas exports have all but collapsed, the military doesn't look as invincible as people thought in 2021. A wait and see how Russia comes out of this first approach is at least understandable. The pushback though from people toward any concerns is the same BS that we hear here in America of people defending Trump. Same M.O.
@attilamarics33743 ай бұрын
@@jakef.7126 Well if foreign NGOs funding you insecret is a way of being "sovereing" that means the exact opposite actually.
@anotherbacklog3 ай бұрын
One thing I couldn’t wrap my head around is, the foreign agent registration act would expose both western funded organizations And Russian puppets. If the population overwhelmingly in support of EU integration and would be more tolerant towards western funded organizations, shouldn’t this law work against Russia instead?
@jakef.71263 ай бұрын
@@anotherbacklog Well... You clearly haven't looked into it, have you?
@Scrooge1Percenter3 ай бұрын
Could the issue be that the EU and the USA don't want their influence in Georgia to be made transparent?
@MarkWinterrowd3 ай бұрын
Absolutely
@MarkWinterrowd3 ай бұрын
Absolutely
@ThatHabsburgMapGuy3 ай бұрын
It is already transparent. Every organization that receives western grants published that information online and in reports to the government. It easy to find, but perhaps you don't want to find it.
@Scrooge1Percenter3 ай бұрын
@@ThatHabsburgMapGuy sure 🤣🤣🤣
@dudeusrandomus66433 ай бұрын
Get real, it's about labeling and ostracizing opponents
@MegaTatatatira3 ай бұрын
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...
@alanhamford25383 ай бұрын
The West has only one rule _"you're either with us or against us.'_
@emelyaganoglu82263 ай бұрын
Those who even present "occupation" or "genocide" as "establishment of democracy" for themselves...Of course, they will apply double standards on this issue as well...
@svenhanson3983 ай бұрын
I wrote that just above here and then I scroll and find your comment. Happy to see more know what hypocritical this is
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
No. I have covered this a lot in other comments. There are fundamental differences.
@ThatHabsburgMapGuy3 ай бұрын
This law is not the same. In the US, foreign agent status must be proven in court, not assigned arbitrarily. Individual employees of these organizations would not be subject to harassment and huge fines, and they wouldn't need to submit reports about their sex lives (as this current iteration of the law demands!). And, in the US, thugs would not hunt down and beat opposition protestors outside their homes while police watch!
@trl_xprking14253 ай бұрын
Georgia should not let NATO drag them into war with Russia.
@Yumo1293 ай бұрын
I guess you would agree to "it's the West's fault that Russia invaded Ukraine" then as well. It is even sillier to believe that for Georgia. Even the most hawkish American generals would not want a second front in Georgia. Georgia would be occupied within less than a week, making it a liability for the Western alliance. "Dragging Georgia into the war" has only disadvantages. There were some radicals in Ukraine who said that at some point and that's it.
@emelyaganoglu82263 ай бұрын
@@Yumo129 Don't you know how the previous US Ambassador and many EU commissioners encouraged Georgia for the 2nd front? Fortunatelly, Georgians have still ndt forgotten the "red tie" memory.
@Yumo1293 ай бұрын
@@emelyaganoglu8226 I hear that often, but still look for a source to support that claim. All I find are Ukrainians. If you find anything, please send it. But even if there would be people who said that, was that ever feasible? Pretty certainly not, as Georgia's participation in the war would be an immediate loss for the West and especially Western Generals will know this.
@emelyaganoglu82263 ай бұрын
@@Yumo129 I suggest you reasearch the statement of Georgian PM Irakly Kodakidze's statement last week (about 2. front). He declares that former US Ambassador Kelly Degnan has a negative impact on relations on this issue. I have also followed in the past two years, statements from the Georgian media Adam Kinzinger (he is no longer in Congress but a consultant for CNN now) and many EU MPs, saying "now is the correct time for 2. front".
@Yumo1293 ай бұрын
@@emelyaganoglu8226 I live in Georgia, my wife is Georgian, I follow news very closely myself. I hope you agree that "Kobakhidze said person X said" is no valid source. Where is that statement by Degnan? Same goes for said EU parliamentarians. Who said that? I don't find anything. Even if so: the position of one or two members of Parliament of either the EU nor the congress makes it a widespread, truly considered opinion. There are at least four EU parliamentarians who believe we are governed by reptiloids from space. That doesn't turn it into a EU position
@isaacmoran98533 ай бұрын
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?
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
AMEN!!!!
@ИгорьШаматрин3 ай бұрын
Yessss
@Gmordor3 ай бұрын
But that man wants Russia to interfere in Georgia internal affairs. C’mon, do you really think that we don’t see which kind of Russian propaganda you want to spread ? That you are really naive
@НатальяТрусова-Мокина3 ай бұрын
Of course, You are brilliantly Right.
@artman123 ай бұрын
The hypocrisy of the USA and EU is blaring.
@andrewsmith37603 ай бұрын
How is ensuring organisations declaring if they have foreign funding undemocratic? I thought transparency was desirable in a democracy.
@22nikatsuki223 ай бұрын
The main problem with this law is not the fact that you have to register. All the financials are already visible and reported through several different government institutions. The issue lies in the monitoring mechanism.The part about registering as "agent of foreign interest" looks harmless on surface, but it carries a lot of stigma. Just recieving funding from abroad doesn't mean that you are carrying out foreign interests. There's a lot of examples of international funded projects in healthcare and humanitarian aid. This part can be heaviliy abused by the government. Cause for inspection can be a suspicion ministry of justice or an anonymous tip. This inspection and fine associated with the procedure can halt and even outright stop operation of any organisation government doesn't like.
@MM-un3ob3 ай бұрын
@@22nikatsuki22 OP is subscribed to pro-Russia channels... don't even bother
@TippingPoint4Globe3 ай бұрын
@@22nikatsuki22 I don’t know who you’re trying to convince with this nonsensical statement
@mikaeldahl503 ай бұрын
@@22nikatsuki22 Lol who would care if a healthcare organisation was a "foreign agent"? I don't think anyone is going to stop going to their doctor because they are declared a foreign agent... It literally only matters for political organisations, and in those cases I think such a designation is completely fair.
@22nikatsuki223 ай бұрын
Imagine being so naive to trust government not to abuse the tool by which it can effectively shut down any organisation criticising and opposing it without reprecautions. Same law is adopted in Russia, do you think it is used responsably? or used to supress opposition?
@jonm75473 ай бұрын
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…
@NewOrleansSeptember3 ай бұрын
Because this is another CIA front channel.
@Nikodin883 ай бұрын
Because of blame Russia
@Gmordor3 ай бұрын
Luckily that is clear that foreign influence is more than obviously in putin time. If you enjoy the dictatorship be my guest.
@jarekfisnar3 ай бұрын
FARA act is in the EU banned idea, because of NGO´s , with FARA you can risk going back to democracy
@abdullahnassor94333 ай бұрын
I see no democracy in the west two or three parties ran by Soros
@Fummy0073 ай бұрын
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.
@froodtube3 ай бұрын
lol Georgian government is own is Ishkavili and Russia. It is their way to spread Russian media and arrest people that speak against them. It is the same as it was in Ukraine. Georgian people want to join the EU and be Western, Georgian government gives them lip service but takes only pro-Russian actions. People have a choice of living without dignity and cowing to their Russian masters, or kicking them out, at which point Russia makes things worse for them and they maybe need to fight to be free. Russia offers only your choice of misery, or even more misery.
@Yumo1293 ай бұрын
The video you were just watching explained it quite well. There is no Russian funding in Georgia, it is all domestic via Ivanishvili. Who also had a law passed that his money from abroad (Russia) can float freely and unchecked into the country, no questions asked. Meanwhile the opposition has no other means than outside funding. It was never for transparency.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Thanks. But I didn’t say it was a “Russian law”. I said it was inspired by what has happened in Russia. This is a crucial difference, as I tried to point out. In fact, this whole video was to push back on the lazy thinking that Georgia is moving towards Russia. The situation is rather more complex than that. It is more a coming together of separate interests. And as another commenter rightly pointed out, the problem is that the government in Georgia is run by a billionaire. However, there is no internal funding available for NGOs that want to hold the government to account. They rely on external funding. Cutting this off or trying to stop them from receiving money by intimidation (as this law tries to do), is a way for the government to suppress democracy.
@kabzaify3 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsayIs actually American influence, the Russian also copied America
@Dragonstar48393 ай бұрын
Georgion laws which requires foreign funding of Ngos in Georgio is inspired by similar US laws and yet why is it not anti democracy in US?
@isaackinyua57563 ай бұрын
Georgia is a free nation. We are in a multi-polar world.
@user-ur2om5po3e3 ай бұрын
You are free nation but control by corrupted western and you will not get nothing.
@palimpalim52913 ай бұрын
Thanks to Russia ...
@iany24483 ай бұрын
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.
@efghggdxlmfn333 ай бұрын
Georgia defends its independence from Russia and from Western countries. And a law similar to the American law, FARA, will protect it from hundreds of “non-profit, non-state” brainwashing foundations.
@mohammedmir7773 ай бұрын
Who was behind that idea?
@efghggdxlmfn333 ай бұрын
@@mohammedmir777 ask the former president Saakashvili and his relationship with the CIA.
@lilacer68413 ай бұрын
This man his propaganda. Lol 😂😂😂
@froodtube3 ай бұрын
Doesn't work with Russia. Ukraine tried exactly what you say. People wanted peaceful democracy, join the EU, but NOT join NATO. Their Russian puppet government actually ran on that platform and was elected just barely because of that. Deal with EU was ready to go. Then their elected President says "haha just kidding I lied, Putin gave me a special deal so I decided to sign Ukraine on with him instead" Ukrainians kicked that bum out (who of course fled to, where else, Russia). Putin having lost his puppet government immediately blew a fuse and sent troops to occupy Ukraine. It is now getting clearly the same choice for Georgia. Georgian people overwhelmingly want Russia out and to join the EU. Their government is owned by Russia and gives them lip service, but takes every action to prevent it from happening. If the Georgian people want to fight for their freedom, it likely comes at a cost, but there isn't likely going to be a much better time than now to do it. It is their choice.
@sturmanaskie3 ай бұрын
Why are America and European countries allowed to have foreign agent laws and not Georgia ?
@mouniash3 ай бұрын
Because it's for the right cause. Georgia's is for the wrong cause. As usual double standards and hypocrisy.
@milostomic85393 ай бұрын
Because that is how double standards work.
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
bca they are fascist regimes?
@artman123 ай бұрын
“Rules for thee but not for me”- US and EU
@matveikrouguer65693 ай бұрын
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.
@AleksandreMzhavia3 ай бұрын
Matvei... Fara is related to lobbying in US senate, the law in Georgia is against nongovernmental organizations... if you wanted to understand it think probably you could, but i doubt you want to understand.
@johntaylor32983 ай бұрын
@@AleksandreMzhavia Rubbish, America has always used NGO's to funnel money and fund coup's all over the world. Protests are all funded by NGO's and destroy governments that do not align to their agenda. Just like Ukraine. All this law requires is who is supplying money, so what is the problem? What has America got to hide and what right does America have in Georgia's internal affairs, let alone the EU? Ukraine was destroyed by America, right!! They overthrew the democratically elected government of Ukraine, and everyone in the west was SILENT.
@manichaean18883 ай бұрын
@@AleksandreMzhavia Same same but different ))) So, what's wrong with transparency of the NGO financial sources (i.e. foreign influence)?
@greatimo61403 ай бұрын
@@AleksandreMzhaviaanybody who does not want to declare his or her sources of funding to it's Government is a foreign agent and a dangerous person. How can anyone avoiding scrutiny be claiming to be democrat instead of hideous criminal. Your argument is not Plusible.
@Charlie-np3bo3 ай бұрын
It’s not the same, you didn’t even read the bill. It’s a law for the Georgian dream to control there citizens
@chanpasadopolska3 ай бұрын
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.
@luishernandezblonde3 ай бұрын
Czy chcesz przez to powiedzieć, że powinniśmy pozwolić Rosjanom na ponowny podbój Polski? Gruzini doskonale wiedzieli, jakim narodem jest Rosja i walczą o uwolnienie swojego kraju od rosyjskich marionetek.
@Hrutz363 ай бұрын
@@luishernandezblonde ja pierd 🤦 gdzie w tym co chan napisał wyciągnąłeś wnioski o Polsce? masz nierówno w berecie. Ustawa jest dobra też by się u nas o takich agentach przydała a nie jakieś dzieci opłacane przez nie wiadomo kogo sieją anarchie i niepokoje społeczne co troche =/
@luishernandezblonde3 ай бұрын
@@Hrutz36 Jeśli sugerujecie Państwo, aby Polska poddała się Rosji, to nie zgodzę się na to. Obecny reżim polityczny w Gruzji to rosyjska marionetka, tylko o tym mówię.
@greatimo61403 ай бұрын
@@luishernandezblonde you are an intelligent hungry character who acts and speak without thinking. Is there anything in what he said that suggests that Poland, Georgia or any country at that should be handed over to Russia? Some of you are just CNN brainwashed characters who wants to impress America and in the process begins to act stupid without realizing it. How can passing a law that exist in America in Georgia become an issue if not that those of you criticizing it are foreign agents or hopeless bots trying to hide under NGOs to commit crimes. Your argument is even without reference to what he wrote. You are responding to what is in your head and not the subject in focus.
@Hrutz363 ай бұрын
@@luishernandezblondeSugeruję panu/pani udać się na kurs czytania ze zrozumieniem bo chyba coś jest nie tak. Nie bo logiki w tym co piszesz a wciskanie nam czegoś czego nie napisaliśmy jest lekko żałosne. A może to Pan jest opłacany przez jakieś zewnętrzne organizacje żeby siać niepokój, chaos i propagande w internecie hm? Tak to wygląda.
@vangelisskia2143 ай бұрын
USA have an almost identical foreign agents law... This alone shows the HYPOCRICY...
@DontMansion3 ай бұрын
Right 100%
@lashachakhunashvili13993 ай бұрын
You don't read Georgian, do you? The law has nothing to do with the US FARA.
@AnthonyCarroll-ue3uv3 ай бұрын
You don't read English mate. @@lashachakhunashvili1399
@Charlie-np3bo3 ай бұрын
If you read the law it has nothing to do with that. If I send money to Georgia and the person receiving, they have to label themselves as an agent. Then depending on the situation they get fined $900. Also listing yourself as an agent has a target on yourself. That’s just one thing on the bill. It’s a Russian law to control the people and russia to have a hand in georgias politics. It people seem to hate this and probably come October they will vote for someone else
@tecuci763 ай бұрын
The US does not have a law against NGOs. The FARA Law is only about disclosing foreign funding in general as a matter of public transparency. Georgia's law is about definitionally labeling an NGO as "pursuing the interest of a foreign power" if it receives more than 20% of its funding from foreign agents. Any attempt to equivocate the two is just willfully spreading misinformation to try and make what the Georgian Parliament is doing seem "normal".
@batkex30023 ай бұрын
Can you imagine an organization in the US receiving 20% of donations from an unknown donor outside the country.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
The difference is that the United States is a wealthy country with plenty of internal funding for political organisations from across the political spectrum. And frankly the only countries that would fund political activities are ones that want to undermine that democracy. (The same for most, but not all, EU members.) This is very different from Georgia where there is little internal funding and the government is moving in an authoritarian direction. The context matters enormously.
@batkex30023 ай бұрын
Thanks for the explanation. Of course countries in transition depend on foreign donations and investments, but this law does not prohibit anything, everything just needs to be transparent. I spent a lot of time in Bosnia and Herzegovina where the amount of foreign donations is huge. But at the same time ,due to the lack of laws regulations , the country has become a perfect destination for money laundering.
@raymondmckinley59553 ай бұрын
Neutrality Studies on KZbin has a good look at this subject, well worth a watch.
@ebb_3 ай бұрын
I watch it often
@michaellovering16593 ай бұрын
Yes. The guest was the best expert on Georgia that I've heard.
@ballerblocks3 ай бұрын
Georgia trying to be independent of both sides, means it's moving towards moscow?
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
I explained it all in the video. I specifically pushed back against the argument that Georgia is aligning with Russia. Something more subtle is happening. The Georgian Government and Russia are finding that their interests are aligned. It is not the same.
@pam1974argentina3 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsay Yes, but the title of the video seems to highlight Western concern, not just your analysis, or Georgian sovereignty
@Gmordor3 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsay And your expertise is “ telling “ us that mutual “ interests “ are the same. Men, do you really think that the world is so stupid ?
@asdrubalanibal68533 ай бұрын
It only would mean that from a heavily involved and interested NATO perspective.
@Gmordor3 ай бұрын
@@asdrubalanibal6853 ,or heavily involved and sponsored by Russia
@dragosstanciu98663 ай бұрын
Georgia needs prosperity, not internal conflicts. The government must improve the standard of living, not antagonize the citizens.
@doppovulkan84493 ай бұрын
Georgian here, you cant improve prosperity when there's a government which wants to prosper alone. Our government has fed the population with so much anti-western propaganda and has been doing so much bare minimum that a decently large part of the population has been living with it for so long. Now people are waking up and realizing that the entire country is basically a bank of a person who owns 1/3d of its GDP.
@stolekostov51113 ай бұрын
So if CIA MI6 IMF and Soros funded groups that spread misinformation and stir up tensions/ protests/ revolutions are forced to register as foreign actors, it's a clear move towards Russia? Wouldn't Russian- backed groups also be registered as such? I despise the hypocrisy in the Western propaganda narrative. Everyone with 2 braincells can do basic research and recognize the playbook. It happened in Ukraine in 2014. In 2016 it happened in Macedonia. The Chinese built us 1 highway and put government was toppled. I don't blame the Georgian leadership for looking out for their people. You should probably mention why Russia invaded both Georgia and later Crimea. Poland and the Baltics joining NATO was tolerable, but Ukraine and Georgia are on their borders. What would the response be if Russia put missiles in Ireland? Or China does the same in Cuba like the US in Taiwan? I feel pity for the blind sheep.
@mandrews12453 ай бұрын
They. are protecting the people by the NGO legislation. The US has several regulations pertaining to formation, taxation and financing for NGO's. It is common for countries to have such legislation. It protects the country from too much foreign influence. Crowds like this are often fuelled by foreign governments who want to hide their NGO control.
@hyhhy3 ай бұрын
This law will help that. The foreign-funded NGOs create a lot of division and conflict.
@svenhanson3983 ай бұрын
@@mandrews1245 Regardless of foreign influence it's good for democracy with openness. Why would an NGO find it important to hide where they get their funding from. All papers on the table open for scrutiny, otherwise something is fishy
@jonathangammond30193 ай бұрын
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'.
@Nikodin883 ай бұрын
I find it very interesting that you compared the new law with the one that was passed not so long ago in Russia, and somehow you forgot to say that in the US there is an even more rigid law that has been in force since 1938. You also forgot to mention that in Georgia there is one NGO for every 300 inhabitants and that they receive over 90% of their funds from abroad. NGOs have become too powerful in Georgia, if you take into account all the people who directly and indirectly depend on foreign grants, you can easily conclude what their potential is and what people who do not want to lose foreign money are ready for... According to the UN recommendation, NGOs should have their power in mass membership and broad support for their ideas, while in practice we have the accumulation of foreign capital by one group of people who are not afraid to use it in the interest of their financiers, and to the detriment of local communities, this practice is clear throughout the entire post-Soviet area and in Balkan too, and is no longer a secret to anyone, therefore, I conclude that this video is malicious and deliberately omits important facts that affect the situation on the ground
@stolekostov51113 ай бұрын
So if CIA MI6 IMF and Soros funded groups that spread misinformation and stir up tensions/ protests/ revolutions are forced to register as foreign actors, it's a clear move towards Russia? Wouldn't Russian- backed groups also be registered as such? I despise the hypocrisy in the Western propaganda narrative. Everyone with 2 braincells can do basic research and recognize the playbook. It happened in Ukraine in 2014. In 2016 it happened in Macedonia. The Chinese built us 1 highway and put government was toppled. I don't blame the Georgian leadership for looking out for their people. You should probably mention why Russia invaded both Georgia and later Crimea. Poland and the Baltics joining NATO was tolerable, but Ukraine and Georgia are on their borders. What would the response be if Russia put missiles in Ireland? Or China does the same in Cuba like the US in Taiwan? I feel pity for the blind sheep.
@davidgamtenadze40453 ай бұрын
Interesting how you use the same rhetoric Russian propagandists use. Current Georgian government also announced that they will create a “list of traitors” for all to see, and promised to punish them severely. Who will be traitors? For them all that oppose their corruption is one
@MuiltiLightRider3 ай бұрын
The US does not have a law against NGOs. The FARA Law is only about disclosing foreign funding in general as a matter of public transparency. Georgia's law is about definitionally labeling an NGO as "pursuing the interest of a foreign power" if it receives more than 20% of its funding from foreign agents. Any attempt to equivocate the two is just willfully spreading misinformation to try and make what the Georgian Parliament is doing seem "normal
@AJYahye3 ай бұрын
You're 100 % right...Russia knows what is going on, in Georgia... Russia isn't bluffing, if don't stop, disruption Georgia, and try same yellow orange in Ukraine...I 100% believe, Putin will anex complete Georgia in to Russia....
@John-.-Smith3 ай бұрын
The only thing I see wrong is the threadhold of 20%. It should be 0%. Why would foreign agencies finance domestic media outlets? This is very suspecious. Those countries that protest against this law are the ones that finance Georgian mefia.
@jorbdan63053 ай бұрын
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?
@perro00763 ай бұрын
Same here. I saw one in Neutrality Studies that explains it quite well. Essentially it has nothing to with Russia. NGOs have influence on what governments do, and as it happens the ones operating in Georgia have the EU and the USA behind them. Right on Russia's backyard. So the NGOs don't want to be 'busted' as being extensions of the EU and the USA. Hence in typical CIA fashion they arrange demonstrations. I would argue that law should also include media outlets and universities. ESPECIALLY media outlets.
@davidmaisel80623 ай бұрын
I've read the bill and am familiar with the Russian and European legislation. The transparency bill the Georgian parliament passed requires NGO's who receive over 20% of their funding from abroad to register as agents of foreign influence. The EU law "Defense of Democracy" act doesn't have a financial threshold but controls the "activity" of NGO's and calls for harmonization. The Russian bill goes much further in combination with media restrictions. So, the EU can not quote which law is violated but disagree with the "spirit" of the law.
@jorbdan63053 ай бұрын
@@davidmaisel8062 Interesting, thanks!
@kntrishdekanoidze13823 ай бұрын
@@davidmaisel8062 tbh if NGOs whole yearly fundings 20 percent is from outside it probably is going to work for foreigner to not lose that funding. Everyone is here for money lets dont lie to ourselves.
@dbullet3 ай бұрын
Also how is it any different from FARA in America ?
@user-ri1ti6go7s3 ай бұрын
I hope Georgia stays free. Calm. Peaceful, and safe
@aa-ge2ke3 ай бұрын
Примут закон и сразу станут свободными и безопасными от запада
@EamonCoyle3 ай бұрын
I really don't see why this has suddenly become this big an issue as the policy itself isn't anything new. The wording and implementation was open to attack without a doubt but countries all over the world have similar systems to prevent outside influence and the US regular use it to attack their rivals. I would also add that I was in Azerbaijan around 2008 and similar policies were already been talked about back then in Russia and other former Soviet States.
@sujac6643 ай бұрын
It's a massive issue.... people in Georgia have been, and still are protesting about it, it's huge, their freedom is being absorbed step by step into the massive red sponge neighbouring them.
@addajjalsonofallah62173 ай бұрын
@@sujac664 by who the US
@mandrews12453 ай бұрын
Because the CIA wants to have a coup.
@sujac6643 ай бұрын
@@addajjalsonofallah6217 no dear, the answer to your rhetorical 'question' is contained in my comment, and your genuine curiosity to understand more about the injustices in the world. It's a choice, make it or don't make it, there'll always be good people making the right choice in spite of the game players.
@luishernandezblonde3 ай бұрын
Azerbaijan isn't a democracy. No one can protest. Georgia is a democracy. That's why many Georgians didn't like looking at Azerbaijan for many reasons.
@miloskovacevic89123 ай бұрын
If Abkhazia and South Ossetia are under Russian occupation, would it be correct to say that Kosovo is under Nato or US occupation?
@miloskovacevic89123 ай бұрын
Ok, thanks for nothing
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
I have been very critical about Kosovo’s Declaration of Independence and have written extensively about it. www.amazon.com/Kosovo-put-osporenoj-drzavnosti-Balkanu/dp/8617175230 But I think we must also recognise that there is a very real difference between the two cases. Kosovo effectively exists as an independent state. (Even though I know you will cite the presence of NATO troops, but they are there more to protect Serbs in Kosovo than keeps Serbs out.) The historical context is also very different. Also, the US and EU does not use it as a tool of leverage over Belgrade. In fact, it does exactly the opposite.
@miloskovacevic89123 ай бұрын
If your point is that the answer is very obvious and that im stupid for asking, ill have to insist and ask for a real answer because i have a feeling that your "obvious answer" sums up to "Russia is evil persuing interests and Serbs committed genocide". If thats the case, id again have to thank you for nothing.
@miloskovacevic89123 ай бұрын
Thank you very much for your reply. id only argue two points. 1. that US and NATO forces oversaw the ethnic cleansing of 200.000 Serbs from Kosovo between the year 1999.-2004. so i find the statement that they were "protecting Serbs" to be wrong. 2. That the statement that "US and EU did not use Kosovo as a tool of leverage" is very debatable. Many would argue that that is the sole reason why Kosovo's independence was so fiercely supported (even with military force conducted on non-military targets in Serbia) with such blatant disregard for international law which im sure you re aware of.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
@@miloskovacevic8912 Thanks Milos. I agree that there was a huge problem with Serbian ethnic cleansing in 1999. But we also have to recognise that the situation was chaotic and there was certainly a lot of score settling from Albanians after the ethnic cleansing commuted by Serbian forces under Milošević. This doesn’t make it right. But I spoke to NATO soldiers from that time and they explained the sheer mess they faced going in. But the failure to stop the 2004 riots was a serious NATO failing. But this is very different from the purposeful and permanent ethnic cleansing Russia oversaw in Abkhazia and South Ossetia. As for the continuing leverage, my point is that the West doesn’t actually want a frozen conflict in Kosovo. It wants it over and done with. Russia on the other hand needs frozen conflicts. It is how it exerts influence.
@photon18993 ай бұрын
Fantastic video as always, Professor! I would add one crucial point regarding Ivanishvilli: he's essentially an oligarch running the country as an enterprise. In this way, he probably tries to stay in power by applying to the EU but on the other hand wants to maintain his business relations with russia. I'd argue he's not necessarily trying to balance Georgia's foreign policy - he's trying to balance his own bank account.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Thanks. Great point! You’re right. EU accession requires huge economic reforms as well. This could certainly affect Ivanishvili’s business interests. It certainly seems increasingly clear that the government is playing a balancing act. The trouble is that while this was possible as an applicant, now it’s a candidate it has to actually start doing a lot more.
@jamessmithers44563 ай бұрын
What is wrong with transparency of the finances? It is a requirement in US, Jpn, and plenty other countries? Why is it a problem if Georgia decides to adopt similar regulations.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Read the discussion here in the comments. I have addressed this point many times.
@asdrubalanibal68533 ай бұрын
Is Georgia moving towards Moscow? Is Mexico moving towards Washington DC? Is Vietnam moving towards Beijing?
@jonathanjacob54533 ай бұрын
The EU asked them to counter foreign disinformation. Isn’t that what their foreign agent law will do?
@deiaderapan67753 ай бұрын
This is a classic example of "you are with us or against us".
@FabledCity3 ай бұрын
Even in the toughest post-2008 context, there had always been the twin economic drivers of Georgian wine exports to Russia and the rubles Russian tourists would spend inside Georgia. Thus the hoped for reintegration of the occupied territories was always in conflict with historic economic ties. This all played into Putin's favour.
@anotherbacklog3 ай бұрын
Especially Georgia shares no land border with the EU, it’s hard to imagine greater economic ties with the EU would outweigh economic ties with Russia.
@FabledCity3 ай бұрын
@@anotherbacklog Yes exactly. Dreams of Euro-Atlantic integration can't free it from the hard realities of its own neighbourhood.
@mitchyoung933 ай бұрын
Plus there are at least tens of thousands of Georgians working in the Russian Federation, I'd guess hundreds of thousands if you include ethnic Georgians.
@Piden-l4b3 ай бұрын
There is no problem to trade wine with Russia. Why should there be. But being controlled by Moscow is another thing.
@stolekostov51113 ай бұрын
So if CIA MI6 IMF and Soros funded groups that spread misinformation and stir up tensions/ protests/ revolutions are forced to register as foreign actors, it's a clear move towards Russia? Wouldn't Russian- backed groups also be registered as such? I despise the hypocrisy in the Western propaganda narrative. Everyone with 2 braincells can do basic research and recognize the playbook. It happened in Ukraine in 2014. In 2016 it happened in Macedonia. The Chinese built us 1 highway and put government was toppled. I don't blame the Georgian leadership for looking out for their people. You should probably mention why Russia invaded both Georgia and later Crimea. Poland and the Baltics joining NATO was tolerable, but Ukraine and Georgia are on their borders. What would the response be if Russia put missiles in Ireland? Or China does the same in Cuba like the US in Taiwan? I feel pity for the blind sheep.
@MMerlyn913 ай бұрын
Explain this to me: why is a law that the US also has back home called a "Russian law"? And why is it so important for NGOs to cover up their tracks? Isn't democracy all about transparency? To me it seems like it's just a very poor attempt at disguising the influence of Soros' NGOs. Imo, Georgia needs to be in the EU. As a Christian, I would salute the entry of a staunch Christian country in the Union. If it were up to me, them and Armenia would be in the EU tomorrow. But the reason for all the fuss seems to be very propagandistic. On the other hand, I do not understand Georgia's strategy or its obsession with getting back Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The Abkhazians do not want to be a part of the Georgian state, why would you want a hostile territory part of your country? And Russia will never let them back anyway. I understand their fear, they saw what happened to Armenia where Pashinyan has destroyed the country without any Western guarantees and Armenia lost Artsakh and will lose more of its territory in the future but Russia will not gift them those territories either. So the whole situation seems ambiguous, Saakashvili has really put them in a bad place with his antics.
@conorreynolds97393 ай бұрын
When you have over half a million voters who were kicked out of their homes in those regions, and still feel deeply aggrieved about it, it’s good internal politics to be for the return of those regions even if it is impossible.
@lexburen59323 ай бұрын
the usa has the same law ( the farrah law) wich says that ngo should make theyr finances public. The opposition is funded by these NGO hence the reason why the funded opposition doesnt want this to happen, and the protesters with the EU flag are funded by these NGO'S as well. Hence this new " russian law " is bad. because it would expose that all the dollars come from anglo saxon western countries into georgian ngo to buy political influence.
@ro--M3 ай бұрын
@@lexburen5932 You forgot to add a disclaimer "THIS MESSAGE IS FROM A FOREIGN AGENT" in you posting. 😏
@DaTrainMan3 ай бұрын
As another christian have you read anything about the differences in the US law and the Russian law? At all? And i dont know what country you live in but if 30% got taken away by another country im pretty sure youd be mad too. Whats the point in making such a long text too just say. “Im a stupid christian Theres a same law in america and who cares about territories that have been in georgia for centuries, just leave them to rot tehehehe!!”
@Gustav_Kuriga3 ай бұрын
@@DaTrainMan South Ossetians do not want to live in Georgia.
@happylistener03 ай бұрын
1. How can this subject be discussed without acknowledging western-backed NGOs' involvement in color revolutions? The current turmoil continues the failed color revolution of 2008. 2. The USA has FARA. EU countries with similar laws include Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, & Sweden. To characterize Georgia's law as Russian or Russian-influenced is disingenuous. 3. The USA claims manifest destiny applies to its entire hemisphere and reacts strongly against transgression. We almost blew up the world over the Cuban missile crisis. Yet do not entertain the idea that Russia might have legitimate security concerns in its own backyard. See also, NATO expansion. (And what is NATO these days, anyway?) 4. Maybe there's more to international relations than with-us or against-us. Georgia's entitled to its own sovereignty. This time, Georgia wins. Second color revolution thwarted.
@mandrews12453 ай бұрын
Absolutely...
@AGS3633 ай бұрын
I honestly do not see why this "foreign agent" law is bad. It seems like a step towards more transparency regarding NGOs. And as far I know, there is no exemption made for Russian organizations. The opposition would be wise to spend more time organizing for the election, than to make this ruckus that will fade with yesterday's headlines.
@anotherbacklog3 ай бұрын
The US got FARA, and there’s countless foreign funded lobbyists
@CjqNslXUcM3 ай бұрын
Well because most NGOs operate internationally. Oxfam, Doctors without Borders, Greenpeace etc. receive donations mostly from donors in richer countries, and Georgia is a tiny country anyways, meaning any NGO that actually does work would be labeled as a "foreign agent", i.e. someone engaged an espionage. This is obviously pretty ridiculous. They would have to allow the Georgian government access to all of their data, including personal data. The Georgian government would be allowed to demand information about their ethnic background, sexual orientation and political views. Neither the employees nor the donors would allow this, meaning they'd have to face hefty fines or leave Georgia. Many NGOs which are not food, medical, or education charities are engaged for liberal causes, such as environmental protection, minority rights, media freedom, etc, which is the reason the Georgian government is targeting them.
@jamesonturner27113 ай бұрын
Thank you for your thoughts sir! I've been looking forward to hearing your perspective on Georgia and the Georgia Dream party. The background information provided is very helpful in broadening my understanding. It's regrettable that Georgia faces a choices between geopolitical and ideological adversaries....the world needs more (not fewer) non-aligned countries who can resist being manipulated and subjugated. I'm curious as to what attracts the EU to Georgia? It doesn't seem to be an obvious match on so many levels.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Thanks Jameson. Great to hear from you! Excellent question on the EU. My sense is that there is a view in many circles that Georgia and Armenia are natural members of the European family, in a way that Turkey and Azerbaijan aren’t. Most obviously, they are Christian and Armenian is an Indian-European language. (There’s also a large Armenian community in Europe, especially France.) For one reason or another, and rightfully or otherwise, there seems to be a fundamental view that they should have a European perspective if they want it.
@Al-fz2qi3 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsay I would suggest the West's attraction to Georgia is its possession of a piece of Black sea coastline. Always look for the geopolitical answer.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
It has that with Romania and Bulgaria, and that’s the Black Sea coastline that matters if we consider Ukraine. By the way, I think we also need to be careful about seeing geopolitics in everything. I know there are some channels that love to play to this idea, and bamboozle viewers with talk of great games and power politics, but it really isn’t the case for most international relations issues. A lot comes down to other factors, such as the specific historical relations between individual states. As someone who has worked on EU enlargement for several decades, it is important to realise that the EU is actually driven mainly by an idealistic vision of European unity. In fact, I’ve never even heard anyone talk about taking in Georgia to access the eastern bank of the Black Sea. Really, it just isn’t that important strategically for Europe.
@artman123 ай бұрын
EU is the continuation of yt imperialist empires.
@eerieforest91883 ай бұрын
Georgians have a right to know where political orgs in their country get their funding. How is that even controversial?
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
It is controversial because there is very little internal money to fund them. This means that they are either reliant on government handouts, which means government control, or they can receive funding from external bodies, including from countries and NGOs in states that Georgia says that it wants to move closer towards. This is the problem. It is clearly a tool of political oversight and control by the authorities.
@felipe-vibor3 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsayif government funding means government control then foreign funding is obviously to facilitate foreign control too.
@ari39033 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsay You're assuming that this law cuts off their funding. This is absolutely not the case, they only have to make it transparent. Clause 1 of the law addresses this right at the beginning. And no, I don't buy the "stigmatization" argument, it's literally just revealing the truth.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
@@felipe-vibor No. There are many bodies that provide grants for activities. If I as an academic receive a grant from the European Union Research funding body to carry out work on political pluralism in Europe, I know that I can come up with whatever conclusions I want. I will not be prevented from doing so. But if I were in Turkey and received a Turkish Government grant to look at the political pluralism in Turkey, I know that I would have to be extremely careful what I say. There is a world of difference.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
@@ari3903 No. I don’t for one moment assume that it cuts off their funding. Instead it is more insidious. It is used as a way to control these organisations and present them as anti-Georgian.
@truthsearch23663 ай бұрын
Russia invaded Ukraine for one simple reason and Europe knows. They could have avoided this war if they have listened. But USA don't want Europe to align with Russia. Because if Europe help Russia to become economic power, then USA would lose its importance.
@svenhanson3983 ай бұрын
NATO is the stranglehold of Europe. And apart from that US is destroying the European economy, to hinder it from developing further and walking its own path. It is definitively not a friend of Europe, as some mad politicians seem to think.
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
USA regime just lost its importance. And right now there is not a single country in the whole world they did not F with
@Behemoth293 ай бұрын
10 Mar 2023 - Georgia rejects the bill in the second reading 35 to 1. 10 Mar 2023 - Canada starts setting up a foreign agent registry. 13 Mar 2023 - EU begins its own foreign agent legislation. For some reason only Georgia is in the news though... Can't imagine why.
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
fascist propaganda?
@mandrews12453 ай бұрын
Interesting how you state the new NGO (Non-government organization) is similar to Russia law you don't mention that the USA has legislation regulating NGO financing as well.
@ro--M3 ай бұрын
Please elaborate: in which specific ways these laws are similar? You guys keep throwing these vague ideas in the air without actually ever having a single valid argumentation. X has a law and Y has a law doesn't mean those laws have anything in common.
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
This is cia propaganda, so its not that interesting
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
@@ro--M not similar but EXACT!!! Go to The New Atlas for more info
@AchyutChaudhary3 ай бұрын
*They have elections coming up in 5 months - so how come the ruling party is behaving so against the public interest rather than appeasing them in this period?? 🤔*
@wamingo3 ай бұрын
Maybe they expect to lose?
@doppovulkan84493 ай бұрын
Seizing further control of the country before elections will allow them to far easily weed out the opposition and the media that goes against them. They already have basically harassed the opposition and sent in men in their houses to physically assault them.
@attilamarics33743 ай бұрын
@@wamingo Or the Georgians arent that western supporting as people would like to paint them.
@tamarkapanadze34853 ай бұрын
There are number of NGO, which have a big influence on politics. Some of them are owned by former or current politicians from opposition parties or their close allies. Current ruling party - Georgian Dream- is afraid to lose. Elections of 2024 won't have majoritarian system anymore. This was always bringing votes to ruling parties but now that won't be a case. Of course, GD still has supporters and party can rely on them, especially in the regions, but they still introduced this law, because of 2 reasons: 1) to be on the safe side and 2) to revenge major opponent (United National Movement, Party of Mikheil Saakashvili, who is serving a sentence now), who has a big influence in those "Political NGOs". Of course, this process is affecting civil society, because: 1) not all NGOs are involved in politics, the most of them are dealing with social, humanitarian, educational, nature protection etc. programs and 2) many people believe in European future of Georgia and are afraid that conflict between Georgia and West, which was raised after introducing this law, is completely crushing now the European dreams.
@NitoKuvell3 ай бұрын
We have similar laws in the USA, and most of the west why is this law demanding transparency so awkward??
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Because Georgia is not like the US. In America there are many organisations that hold the governments, media, political parties to account and receive private funding from US sources. This is not the same in Georgia. Many organisations rely on external funding to do their work. This is an attempt to intimidate them. The contesxt of the two cases is crucial.
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
BCA it would expose that Georgia is being politically captured by them. The New Atlas explain this in detail
@ometriaslong30693 ай бұрын
If Georiga is moving towards Moscow, good for Georiga
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
It isn’t, that’s the whole point. It is more a case that its internal direction aligns more with Russia. It’s not that it wants close ties to Russia, which after all still occupies a fair chunk of the country. And I’m not sure why moving closer to Moscow would be a good thing, economically, politically, socially, strategically, or diplomatically.
@ro--M3 ай бұрын
If forced to die in the frontline in a totally vain war, being jailed for showing an empty piece of paper, and living without running water and toilet is what you like, I get you.
@tornado-s-20123 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsay whom will they sell all their wine to? Russia is their number 1 trading partner. What will ordinary people eat as a result of these political squabbles? Even if during the war Ukraine was not allowed to sell its grain through Europe. Will Italian and French winemakers be happy? Rather, they will ruin Georgia and buy out their vineyards, as BlackRock does with lands in Ukraine and other countries
@tornado-s-20123 ай бұрын
@@ro--M "without running water and toilet" - what is it about?
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsay economically - who is the biggest trading partner of Georgia? 🤡🤡🤡🤡 Should i continue??? Your propaganda sucks!!!
@PeskyWabb1t3 ай бұрын
“Stifles democracy” when Georgia cracks down on foreign funded NGO and media, but it’s “defending democracy” when countries in the west ban RT and Aljazeera 😂
@AlexanderTheGrapes3 ай бұрын
Exactly! The hypocrisy is endless.
@wamingo3 ай бұрын
The difference is that RT isn't the news media that it pretends to be, it's 100% unadulterated kremlin disinformation.
@Brejamlyn3 ай бұрын
Nah banning RT is fine
@LevanoTipe3 ай бұрын
Let me explain a context as a Georgian. If your country could earn money only by tourism, easy conditions for doing business as well as selling agricutlural prodocts, , it means that there cannot be such thing in Georgia as "independent policy". Thinking otherwise is such a fallacy, to be honest. Azerbaijan relies on their natural resources, and these resources are in demand in the West, and that's why europeans are ready to ignore authoritarian rule of Alyev family and its corruption. Russia heavily relies on selling their natural resources, and that's the reason why they endured the sanctions and still continue the war, as it's impossible to impose full embargo. And Georgia doesn't have these resources as economically peripheral country with no resources to sell on global markets. For 35 years of independence, Georgia has been always relying on the West, and that's the very reason why before Saakashvili came to power Putin imposed visa regime on georgian citizens in 2000 and then it was lifted in 2023. You should rather pay attention on self-contradictory rhetoric of the officials.. They still insist they are pro-western and pro-european, yet they are not, they refused to allign themselves with political mainstream and started to confront them completely, ignoring their advice, like the West is the enemy of Georgia. For some reason, russian officials and philosophers like Dugin have been praising Georgia and its policies for some reason . I wonder why.... According to the government, It's like some enemies of Georgia from "deep state" and "global war party" sneaked in and lobbied anti-georgian policies that would drag the country into the war, while "Georgian Dream" has crystal clear reputation . No, it's not.. People here in Georgia know that the law is just a pretext for chaniging geopolitical orientation of the country. . If this law was negotiated with western partners , there wouldn't have been such a backlash. Once again, law itself doesn't matter. Ideological course of the government and betraying the West does. The law is written in such a way that they could punish anyone they want,, they could deprive organizations they don't like of their funds, and not punish those who actually fund the government itself. I should point out, that the same party btw put the Article in the Georgian Consitution on euro-altanitic integration in 2018. The same people worked in western institutions and some even in Soros structured, but turned out they got sold out and changed their rhetoric all of a sudden. I wonder why.... It's just one more front of proxy war between the US and China, nothing surprising. In 2023, it was declared that China became a strategic partner of Georgia, and on May 28 2024, on the day when the law was approved, China became visa-free for Georgian citizens.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Thank you so much for such an interesting and well developed comment. I do hope more viewers will see it. You clearly lay out the problems. It has been depressing to read all the comments suggesting that Georgia was merely asserting its independence and that its best option was to be tied to Russia. We both know why this is so troubling. But it is a sign of the time we live in that many people think that their hatred of the West finds its best outlet in cheering on Russia and the world’s autocrats. It is immature and shortsighted. But it is sadly too common.
@danwelterweight41373 ай бұрын
Georgia doesn't even have diplomatic relations with Russia. There is no Russian embassy or diplomats in Georgia and vice versa. Both countries used Switzerland as an intermediary. The law that was passed in Georgia is a carbon copy of the US foreign agent registration law. The same law the FBI in the United States charged Donald Trump campaign advisors Paul Manufort and US army general Michael Flynn for failing to report to the State Department that they were receiving money from Ukraine and Turkey to lobby for them. The idea that this is making Georgia closer to Russia is ridiculous. As a matter of fact if this was the case wouldn't passing a law that forced all organizations and NGOs who are getting money from Abroad from places as Russia have to report to the public be a good idea? The fact is the West is against this law because it is going to unveil the fact that it is Western governments who are funding money to NGOs in Georgia to interfere in Georgia's internal affairs. The president of Georgia is one of them getting money from the West. She wasn't even born in Georgia. She was born in France and is a French citizen. She barely speaks Georgian and when she does it's with a thick French Accent
@user-eq2zr6bk1x3 ай бұрын
And major economic partner is Russia
@petervojcek70433 ай бұрын
Well, you can walk to your grocery shop to do your shopping, or you can travel 1000miles to do the same thing... Naturally they do business because it's more beneficial then import goods from elsewhere .
@Yumo1293 ай бұрын
About half of the statements here are doubtlessly false, the other is debatable. The only true parts I found are: "She wasn't even born in Georgia." and "she does it's with a thick French Accent". Do not believe everything in comment sections.
@svenhanson3983 ай бұрын
Yes, I was thinking the same, It's nonsensical. But people will buy into it that does not know. Good you pointed it out.
@svenhanson3983 ай бұрын
@@Yumo129 The whole statement was 100 percent accurate. What is your version then
@catadoxas3 ай бұрын
georgia doesnt even talk to Russia. their entire communication is still passed trough us swiss
@vangelisskia2143 ай бұрын
Once again a fully biased prowestern 'analysis' by the professor...
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
I call it fascist propaganda, why? bca it is
@59Gretsch3 ай бұрын
Professor, thanks for mentioning that part about Kosovo, Where do United States can declare parts of the country autonomy but nobody else can.
@barmaley41593 ай бұрын
as long as there are "professors" and "experts" such as this guy - we keep being misled and lied to... in fact, he is coping so hard... he knows he is a chihuahua and knows his role (which is barking)...
@gikasmith55113 ай бұрын
9:10 - I commend your fair analysis of the situation in my country, let me say a word or two on the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Georgia has Russian tanks 45 km from its capital, so it had to be careful. You also had to say that Georgia accepted about 25,000 refugees from Ukraine and provides them with FULL support - food, shelter, schooling for the young.
@yogikarl3 ай бұрын
Don't call it NATO family . please . that's too cosy . maybe you call it : NATO Club . And I'm still not clear if : it's a friend Club or a buddy club or a business club or a Mafia Club
@philsidock3 ай бұрын
If there's one thing I learned about geopolitics, it's that countries often have confusing and contradictory relationships with Mother Russia. I've heard great things about Georgia, and I plan on visiting Tbilisi soon. I'll read up more on the country before going, but thanks again for the great video!
@georgefenrirbitadze47573 ай бұрын
Hello im from Georgia My country 20% is occupied by russia and remaining 80% is colonized by USA, all my country is doing is trying to de colonize
@Astronist3 ай бұрын
It would be helpful to know how serious the separatist movements in Abkhazia and South Ossetia are. Do they in fact contain homogenous populations of some ethnicity different from the Georgian, or are they basically Georgians who have been recruited as separatists by Moscow for its purpose of dividing up the country, in the same way as was the population of Donbas in Ukraine?
@jackyex3 ай бұрын
Both Groups are distinct ethnic groups, Abkhazians are Muslims from a group similar to the Circassiaanss while the Ossetians are a Iranic Group who have ethnic kin across the border in Russia, in the North Ossetia region. But Russia did use both as a way to weaken Georgia of course.
@Restrocket3 ай бұрын
This has nothing in common with Donbas. Ukrainians and Russian can easily morf into eachother and noone gets deported or anything like that. You just have to accept other rulers/ideology. The conflict there is not ethnic based. Georgian conflicts are really ethnic based. Abkhazian one is especially strange one cause half of Abkhazia population was ethnically Georgian and they all got deported
@belstar11283 ай бұрын
they have or i should say had their own language and culture but these days its like 90% Russians living there
@aa-ge2ke3 ай бұрын
@@belstar1128вообще нет
@Aussie-Mocha3 ай бұрын
Excellent 🎉✊🏻✊🏻. Listened to many versions and opinions on this Georgian matter and this was a top notch explanation & summary!
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Thank you so much. I tried to take a sensible look at the situation. Sadly the comments section has been overrun by pro-Russian trolls and bots. It really is quite depressing how it is becoming impossible to have a decent conversation anymore.
@Aussie-Mocha3 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsay I agree full heartedly!! But when that decent conversation does come around, it is extra special and invigorating. Keep going. Your voice is valuable now and will be valuable in the future for those who want to understand the past. Honestly, THANK YOU 🙏
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
Go to The New Atlas. This is propaganda grabage
@davidmaisel80623 ай бұрын
Having followed and researched this this situation in Georgia closely, there are valid concerns on both sides. What is absolutely clear is both the Dream coalition and opposition desire to join the EU. What's also clear is both sides want to see the reunification of Abkhazia and South Osetia. The latter presents a dilemma as both regions have a large electorate who support strong ties with the Russian Federation. This would be a voting block in Georgian national elections and potentially at odds with the current majority positions on the EU. On the negative side, both the Dream party and the opposition have been accused of authoritarian practices, restrictions on media and limiting the independence of the judicial branch of government. The EU and US have also taken a heavy handed approach via organizations such as the Atlantic Counsel, Freedom House and Transparency International, to name a few in influencing national elections and policy which some feel could drag Georgia into a military conflict with Russia. The situation is complicated and the choices moving forward are Georgia's to make.
@thecolonel60263 ай бұрын
...and China has entered the arena, offering a "Third Way" to prosperity, balanced between Russia and the EU...
@alittlestoryy2 ай бұрын
As a turkish from black sea, no matter what will happen in the future, my heart is with georgians. Do what is right for you, not for the west or east. Don’t let anyone to let you in the same position as ukranians. We love you and support you from turkey.
@TangBengYong3 ай бұрын
Thanks for an informative video. I think we should distinguish between the interests of Georgia as a country and the interests of the ruling elite who want to stay in power even if it takes going against their country's interests to do so. It shows how when democracy is eroded by authoritarian power-hungry parties, those work against their own country's interests and the people have no say in what happens to their country. This is the same as what is happening in Russia, Hungary, and Singapore.
@svenhanson3983 ай бұрын
And USA and UK obviously
@catalincarceanu79913 ай бұрын
@@svenhanson398 no.I am sorry but both USA and UK have all the interests to cut EU from Russia's resources.USA can not accept a very strong,economically, Europe becoming a challenger to the US hegemonical role in the world and that for encouraged the Brexit,invented Covid and instigated the actual war in Ukraine. UK has a problem with the potential separatist movements from Northern Ireland,Gibraltar and Scotland which might be tented to leave UK and to Join EU.If EU will be less atractive ,they will prefer to stay within UK .That for Boris Johnson instigated Ukraine to fight till the last ukrainian.I know,that's perfid and ruthless but serve to the US and UK national interests.On the other way,EU and NATO could become less atractive for Georgia also .Russia is not really an enemy for US and UK ,but she play the role off eastern beast in western retorics.
@StephenHeiner3 ай бұрын
I don’t understand how it’s “anti democratic” to identify foreign agencies!
@Gaminiheraliyawala3 ай бұрын
Dear Prof. James, this is a very professional and balanced way of reporting of the contemporary situation in the background of street demonstrations, war in Ukraine, GOV moves and Russian invasion. I too 100% agree with you on the final remarks with regard to the position of prevailing situation in contrast to Moldova affairs, influence from western allies and likely expectations of Moscow in terms of geo-political threats & interests.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Thank you very much indeed. I really appreciate the kind words of support.
@borisjessop23523 ай бұрын
The Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) was enacted in 1938. FARA requires certain agents of foreign principals who are engaged in political activities or other activities specified under the statute to make periodic public disclosure of their relationship with the foreign principal, as well as activities, receipts and disbursements in support of those activities. Disclosure of the required information facilitates evaluation by the government and the American people of the activities of such persons in light of their function as foreign agents. The FARA Unit of the Counterintelligence and Export Control Section (CES) in the National Security Division (NSD) is responsible for the administration and enforcement of FARA.
@Al-fz2qi3 ай бұрын
Dear Prof. Once again a perfectly compliant post has been removed. It addressed the issue raised for open discussion in three of your videos - the question of Georgia, Slovakia, Hungary seemingly turning to Russia. I put forward the argument that they had no love of Russia but felt the need to adopt the pragmatic approach - in other words, protect their sovereignty by maintaining good relations with neighbouring countries on either side of them and making decisions solely on the basis of their national interest. This in response to what they saw happen to Ukraine since 2014. Not a lot there to be classed as "abusive" or "misinformation". Have you a view on why the moderators of this site are preventing us from having the cordial interchange of views we both espouse? You will undoubtedly agree that defending freedom of speech is about tolerating views that you strongly dislike. Saying that the views expressed are pro-Russian or pro-America or pro-Israel or pro-Palestine is not a basis for censorship. The antidote to perceived misinformation is more freedom of speech not less. Presumably you agree?
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Sorry. YT keeps doing this. Many apologies. I’m all for polite and informed discussion. I only delete abusive comments.
@Al-fz2qi3 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsay From your part, that is reassuring. Thank you. Is it certain words or phrases that trigger some YT algorithm? Would appreciate any guidance you may have on this. I totally agree there is no place for abusive comments. Is it controversial to say that certain elements seem to want to control the narrative and shut down debate. I criticize the West because I do not like the direction of travel and I want it better to succeed - I fear that our tradition of free speech is under threat. Have you heard Ms Van der Leyen's worrying speech on debunking and prebunking - this is what I mean by trying to control the narrative.
@idraote3 ай бұрын
The real tragedy there is that the majority of Georgians want a western-oriented political system, less corruption and more freedom while the powers that be want to stay close to Russia.
@allyeneedislove3 ай бұрын
I don't see why the act is moving closer to Moscow when the US has a similar act. All about the narrative.
@attilamarics33743 ай бұрын
@@xunqianbaidu6917 Well thats just your assumption. Georgia is also very western meddeling riddne. I still remmebe rtheir preasident eating his tie during the war. Or the fatc that the Us always sponsors the opposition, a thign thats illegal in the US.
@handsomegeorgianbankrobber37793 ай бұрын
Im sorry but who elected the Georgian government? Or did they come to power through a coup d´etat? If you dont like a pro-Russian government then SIMPLY DONT VOTE THEM INTO POWER.
@2639theboss3 ай бұрын
@@attilamarics3374 Thats incoherent nonsense. Finish your shift in Russia then get back to us.
@kntrishdekanoidze13823 ай бұрын
@@2639thebossno it is not us every year has been helping oppositon.
@ВладимирСмольников-х8т3 ай бұрын
Грузины оказались умнее, чем украинцы.
@sachavitorovich68663 ай бұрын
I am not able to leave any comment... you should listen to yourself and find out WHY...
@andrewsarantakes6393 ай бұрын
Great video. Georgia seems to be quite conflicted. Small nations seem to be concerned about their sovereignty to avoid domination by larger political entities. Great topic & clear fair analysis.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Thanks a lot Andrew. Always appreciated! I’ve been rather unhappy about much of the coverage of events in Georgia. It seems to fall back on lazy thinking that really doesn’t make a lot of sense.
@raymondmckinley59553 ай бұрын
I think no country should allow foreign funding of political parties in their country.
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
😅😅😅😅😅 Well yeah. That is why you need propaganda like this to tell you anotherwise
@vondagrubb462323 күн бұрын
This is excellent. Thank you.
@JamesKerLindsay23 күн бұрын
Thank you so much!
@eugenegvozdetsky26733 ай бұрын
Which do you think is more probable: the Russian annexation of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, or their reintegration into Georgia?
@the0ne8093 ай бұрын
Russia has de facto control those areas. Georgia cannot fight Russia. The country is too small and they are not getting weapons to fight back. if there was ever a time for Georgia to take that territory back is now since Russia is too busy in Ukraine. Ukraine has issues with manpower and they have more than 12x Georgia's population so imagine Georgia fighting back to gain its territories. Maybe they will have to wait until Putin dies but I doubt much will charge after anyway.
@Restrocket3 ай бұрын
It's completely random. It depends on a few people with Alzheimer
@itsorganic77393 ай бұрын
Neither, South Ossetia wants to Join Russia, and even voted to do so, Russia Declined. Abkhazia I don't believe wants to join Russia (they're those who do and those who don't), and nor is Moscow pushing for it. That being said, Russia will not allow georgia to overrun these 2 areas that they consider to be soverign countries.
@benjauron58733 ай бұрын
@@itsorganic7739"Russia will not allow?" And how precisely would Russia stop Georgia if Georgia wanted the places back? Other than quitting Ukraine and moving their army south.
@benjauron58733 ай бұрын
Both are unlikely. Eventual independence for both is most likely, though probably at least a decade away. Between your two options, eventual reintegration with Georgia is most likely, but, again, is probably some years away. Russia is severely weakened and only getting weaker every day.
@ebb_3 ай бұрын
Why do you say the law mirrors only that of Russia but you failed to mention the law been almost the exact of that of the United States and other western government? Do you mean to call it the Russian law too?
@tengizpimpashvili13113 ай бұрын
It's a good law Every civilized country has this law
@ro--M3 ай бұрын
Like Russia and now Georgia. Civilized countries have laws for transparency and you guys purposefully try to equal them with this Foreign Agent Law which is a censorship law.
@svetlanak77663 ай бұрын
Such a beautiful country with a very poor economy. US is your friend and you have to pay a high price for it.
@telmaryss3 ай бұрын
Glory to the Georgian people! Don't let the Russians dictate what to do!
@lovetohate0283 ай бұрын
Lmao "you aren't allowed to identify our NGOs as ours! Transparency is undemocratic!"
@SparkBerry3 ай бұрын
I recently visited Georgia, and while walking the streets of Tbilisi, one could see graffiti everywhere of anti-Russian slogans alongside pro-Ukraine ones. Even trash cans had "Russia belongs here" written on them. Needless to say, the mood on the street was definitely not pro-Russia, but very much pro-Europe. It is a beautiful country and beautiful culture, and I will definitely be back.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Thanks. Georgia is an amazing country. I had the chance to go a few years ago and I really loved it as well.
@NewOrleansSeptember3 ай бұрын
Pro Europe is pro war and pro authoritarianism.
@numeronoo80803 ай бұрын
Gruzia szuverén állam! És nem szeretné hogy külfőldi spekulások befolyásoljak a gruzia demokraciat! Usa es a nyugat szeretné befolyasolni a gruz politikat ugyan ugy mint ukrajnában! Gruz emberek ne hagyjátok magatokat becsapni! Szurkolunk nektek innen magyarországról!
@perucho21943 ай бұрын
Georgia, do what's in your best interest, don't let EUROPEANS tell you what to do, strong relations with your neighbor. 💪❤
@user-eu9hr4pi3w3 ай бұрын
Sorry, meinen Sie das Russland von Gnaden vom Putlers Schergen? Die Bevölkerung von Georgien kennt Ihr gepriesenen Nachbarn aus eigener Erfahrung! Der größte Teil der Bevölkerung von Georgien will nach Europa 🇪🇺 und nicht nach Russland! Das Volk will kein Sklave vom Putler werden! Was verstehen und akzeptieren Sie hier nicht?
@PeterGeci3 ай бұрын
It is simple ,the Government of Georgia is dealing with the reality ,unlike Ukraine ,Georgia is much smaller and would be under Russian control within days , so they better keep a good relationship with Russia and stay independent, than risking a total destruction like Ukraine and facing with a total collapse of the country ,demographic ,infrastructure and society. The west will drop Ukraine like a hot potato if it get too expensive ,and would do the same with Georgia in a heard beat . The world is shifting away from the falling superpower USA to a more multipolar world ,smart politicians might recognise this and have a more careful approach to other power centres, however most of the politicians in about 50 country's called the west have not so far recognized, that associating itself with the US and his vasal states (EU) might be very dangerous perhaps more dangerous than having good relationships with other powers such Russia or China or India. The creation of so called orange revolutions under massive support from the US (and other country's ) intelligence services can only be stopped with transparency.If the people recognize that they being used by a foren power,it might stop them. I believe this new law is a right step to independence of the Georgian people ,and that is the reason the west hate it so much.
@jamessmithers44563 ай бұрын
Why did Tbilisi start the war in August 2008? That was crazy. Canada starting war against US would face 100 to 1 odds of succeeding. Georgia starting a war against Russia had 1,000,000 to 1 odds of succeeding. This has to be one of the craziest and most irresponsible actions of any Georgian government ever.
@levondemirian51063 ай бұрын
Would you be able to assess political and historical values of Armenia and Azerbaijan as you did Georgia.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Thanks. I did one on Armenia already: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hYKZg2h5r6iAoaMsi=A9RNAHuxvbqaNtv8
@TheLocalLt3 ай бұрын
Thanks for the video professor, obviously this is a sensitive subject for Moscow given how invested they are in the issue… it appears to strike quite a nerve!
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Thanks, LocalLt. It has been rather depressing to see the sheer volume of pro-Russian comments on this video. It’s also clear that most haven’t even watched it. Sadly, the watch time is down, so this is also damaging to the video’s success. This is certainly one of those days when I ask myself why do I even bother with YT anymore!
@TheLocalLt3 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsay at least you can take some solace in knowing that the lower watch time indeed indicates that these comments have been intentionally “brigaded” by state-backed interests, rather than representing the legitimate opinion of your viewer base. Sometimes I wonder whether western intelligence agencies shouldn’t consider investing in something similar, to push back on issues related to Ukraine, Israel, etc., though I suppose that’s what sets us apart from them. Nonetheless it does seem like a significant vulnerability in the all important “war of ideas”.
@markogavrilovic25833 ай бұрын
Govt. of Georgia is doing great job looking their own country interest.
@Georgian_guy-13 ай бұрын
Russian bots
@kingdavid64763 ай бұрын
@@Georgian_guy-1 For telling dombs the truth?
@YujiroHanmaaaa3 ай бұрын
@@kingdavid6476 Georgia wants to develop and prosper. No small country near Russia can prosper being a russian vassal. This is why Baltics, Finland and Poland decided to look towards west and now days these countries have better livingstandard than Russia
@kingdavid64763 ай бұрын
@@YujiroHanmaaaa They also have the right not to be Ukraine or western puppet against a bigger brother.
@YujiroHanmaaaa3 ай бұрын
@@kingdavid6476 countries chose to be " Western puppet ".... russia force countries to be " russian puppet "
@abadanarcisse90443 ай бұрын
La Géorgie a choisie son indépendance, et si elle se rapproche de la Russie où est le problème ?
@Feinei3 ай бұрын
If I may offer a slight criticism - many places make the link that this proposed law is a Russian law and used to increase authoritarianism, almost nobody explains *why* exactly this happens. There's very good information available on how Russia used it and how it progressively escalated, but even I had to go out and research it, it's really not that self-evident.
@mandrews12453 ай бұрын
Then you should investigate USA for NGO's. The US has many laws controlling NGO's for taxation, formation and financing.
@paulberendsen81523 ай бұрын
Thank you, JKL, for a balanced report on the political developments in Georgia. (without glorification of and demonization of various political actors)
@TheGunteraz3 ай бұрын
The ruzzian bots are out in full force in the comment section lol.
@kntrishdekanoidze13823 ай бұрын
Keep calling everyone who disagrees with you bots . People will definitely listen to your hivemind.
@dzonikg3 ай бұрын
Gergia govermant is Pro Western ..West - "Georgria is democracy!!" . West when same government when not to pro western - west - "Georgia is dictatorship!!".
@RandomAussieGuy873 ай бұрын
They sure are, repeating the same propaganda talking points as each other.
@Daniel-vw7mw3 ай бұрын
So when the crowds are protesting against the government they are getting paid by the west?😊
@davidgamtenadze40453 ай бұрын
@@kntrishdekanoidze1382ქართველი მაინც არ იყო
@falconiusazurius55723 ай бұрын
We are moving to Georgia in two weeks. I'm glad to see their government is on the right track.
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
What track is that?
@falconiusazurius55723 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsay The track that leads them away from the West, of course. I want to limit my children's exposure to the utter filth which is modern Western values.
@panchendrarajankandiah65723 ай бұрын
US, get out of Europe.
@ro--M3 ай бұрын
We Europeans want to do business with US but your comment has nothing to do this video.
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
@@ro--M I dont!!! I want cheap resources from Russia. What i get from USA apart from war, propaganda, woke, plandemics?
@DuckDodgersWannabe3 ай бұрын
Georgia's stance towards Russia is coloured by the fact that they are extremely vulnerable vis-a-vis their northern neighbour. Besides their relatively small population - which denies Georgia greater military potential - they are separated by the Black Sea from those European countries which could help them, and hence are isolated. Just like Kazakhstan, being in a not so friendly neighbourhood with a "great" power that violates international law and customs forces you to play a very delicate game of balancing. To preserve your nation in such a unfortunate position you need good-old realpolitik, I believe. When it comes to Georgia's internal situation, I'm afraid they are going down the path of state capture, if it hasn't already happened. It is hard to not compare Georgia's oligarchy, headed by Bidzina Ivanishvili, to those that were so powerful in Ukraine or Moldova just a decade ago. Both of the aforementioned nations had great trouble with oligarchs that were more often than not acquainted with some Russian oligarch or politician. While I can't read their minds, I can wager that they see in the Kremlin something that could help them protect and grow their illicit fortunes - joining the EU would land them in jail, after all. It is hard to not argue that people like Ivanishvili think about their wallet first, and their nation second. Still, I think the Georgian people are too pro-EU and anti-Russia for him to do anything drastic in Moscow's direction, at least for now. So, I still see some hope for an European future. Thank you for your excellent analysis, Professor. Unfortunately for the world, no week passes without some saddening events happening in the world of international relations. At least you will not run out of content anytime soon!
@attilamarics33743 ай бұрын
What is this comment? The US literally controled Ukraine with the help of Ukrianian oligarchs. Their politicans had paychecks from these oligarchs, jobs with them, often pictured with them. I mean Zelensky was and probably is an employee of one of the strongest and most corrupt ukrianian oligarchs. You know why Putin got popular? Because he got rid if the power of the Russian oligarchs. So these lines about oligarchs arent even true anymore. The west supports oligarchs.
@Yalbou3 ай бұрын
Its funny seeing the europeans and anglos seethe about this
@2639theboss3 ай бұрын
Yeah its not the Georgians that are upset, those tens of thousands of protesters are actually lizardpeople from the CIA.
@БулочкаБулавинцева3 ай бұрын
Не под оккупацией, сами отделились от терзавшей и уничтожаавшей её Грузией
@Prebaaaaaaaaaaaaaa3 ай бұрын
Video on Bosnia and the UN Resolution pretty please professor? 👉🥺👈
@bilic80943 ай бұрын
107 countries didn't vote for it.
@Prebaaaaaaaaaaaaaa3 ай бұрын
@@bilic8094 if you're so proud of that, why does your comment come off as an insecure, spiteful reaction to a comment that merely mentions the resolution?
@bilic80943 ай бұрын
@@Prebaaaaaaaaaaaaaa Not at all I was just surprised by the numbers.
@Prebaaaaaaaaaaaaaa3 ай бұрын
@@bilic8094 sure thing bub, you were just so surprised you had do randomly mention it, and your comment doesn't sound spiteful at all. Smiješno hahahahhaha
@ngopisek88293 ай бұрын
10:23 What is the definition of going the right way according to most experts in the West if it leans towards the European Union/USA?😅
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
The right path to EU membership. I thought that much was clear. By the way, this is also the point made by the Georgian President, as I also mentioned.
@feargach21073 ай бұрын
The EU-US played the exact same game in Ukriaine with disasterous results.
@DacianRider3 ай бұрын
fake orc narrative
@Cquinn703 ай бұрын
do you write scripts? and what camera set up do you use?
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Yes. I write all my own scripts. (By far the longest part of the process.) As for my camera set up, I use a Sony FX3 with a Sony 35mm f1.8 lens. (I have an amazing 24mm f1.4 lens, but it’s too wide for my space. But it turns out that it’s a beast for astrohotography!) I’ve just started using the Elgato Prompter as my main teleprompter. My mic is a Sennheiser MKH50 and I use an Aputure 50d with a lantern as my main light. (I am in a small room.) I also use small Aputure MC RGB lights as my practicals and for fill lighting. These little things are brilliant. It’s taken me several years to get all this together and it’s complete overkill for YT talking head vids. I started with a really basic setup on a Canon M50. But I love my setup now, as you can probably tell! :-)
@larrysherk3 ай бұрын
Geography and history make clear that the natural ally for Goergia is Russia. Is this just more American meddling ?
@dragosstanciu98663 ай бұрын
The problem is that Russia is not a natural ally, Georgia was under Russian/Soviet occupation until independence in 1991.
@attilamarics33743 ай бұрын
@@dragosstanciu9866 You are spamming that line everywhere. Its not realy true.
@Piden-l4b3 ай бұрын
Geographical Vladivostok is China.
@createdforthemoment67403 ай бұрын
@@attilamarics3374i mean, they're still under Russian occupation so I guess you could say its not true. Otherwise, it's like a lot of the former Soviet countries, who were under horrible occupation and moved west the first chance they got and are now thriving. The countries that tried to peacefully play to both sides like Moldova, Ukraine and Georgia are now occupied by Russia for doing so. Hell, theres a reason the former Soviet Union is the highest per GPD providers of weapons for Ukraine. They want nothing to do with the country that damaged and abused their countries for so long.
@attilamarics33743 ай бұрын
@@createdforthemoment6740 Parts seceding isnt occupation really. Not to mention the problems still started with western meddeling.
@angelobkoljenovic95283 ай бұрын
As always you have been the most informative and helpful to people who are interested in learning about strategies and politics in the world 🌎 as historian i have always supported you work
@tiredox37883 ай бұрын
With a lot of Russians moving to Georgia. I won't be surprise if Russia tries something similar to Ukraine again.
@YujiroHanmaaaa3 ай бұрын
True. And many of them giving birth to Russian children. This will have a big impact in 20 - 20 years
@tamarkapanadze34853 ай бұрын
@@YujiroHanmaaaa There were lot of Russians in Soviet Georgia (during Soviet Union), but after USSR broke down, the most of them moved away from the independent Georgia, together with the families. 20-30 years time period is really long and is difficult to predict-what will happen.
@vgames67923 ай бұрын
like what?
@a.s.etaboo87693 ай бұрын
And sanctions by Georgia against Russia, would hurt Georgia more than Russia
@jron20r513 ай бұрын
Foreign agent bill like the UK and US have. Funny you left that out. Just Russia
@roddychristodoulou91113 ай бұрын
I very much doubt that Georgia is moving closer to Russia and the recent and ongoing demonstrations are testament to this . The best this government can achieve is separate but shared interests , I know of no other government that has this thin line to tread in order to please both sides . As we've seen many times before American and western interests will be meddling in Georgia's affairs until it breaks away fro Russia completely . Of course Russia is not going to allow this without a fight of some kind so Georgia is stuck in the middle of the old east west psyche .
@JamesKerLindsay3 ай бұрын
Thanks Roddy. That’s exactly my view. Contrary to a lot of the commentary in the international media that says that Georgia must be aligning with Russia, I think there is something more subtle and interesting going on. (And I just wish that some of the commenters here immediately leaping to conclusions that I am also saying that Georgia is aligning with Moscow would watch the video first!)
@svenhanson3983 ай бұрын
@@JamesKerLindsay I watched it and it's not there and it should have been there. The things missing, US has the same rules so they are not outlandish and USA is a hypocritical critic, US meddles via NGOs, which really are not NGOs. And the conflict with Russia started 2008 when NATO declared Georgia and Ukraine would join NATO and dismissed Russian protests. A few months later Russia went in. Then NATO did the same with Ukraine, by repeating it, full well knowing how the Russians would react and probably act. You basically swing the red cloth before the bull and then blame the bull for attacking.