When Georgia Caught Fire.

Georgia’s fight for democracy intensifies as protests erupt over disputed elections and Russian influence. Explore the nation's turbulent history and its people’s unwavering push for freedom and Western integration.
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[@odyssey_accurate]

As a resident of the State of Georgia I was most concerned to see the video's title... it wouldn't be the first, or even second, time someone tried to burn down Atlanta. Here's hoping our friends in the Caucasus have the opportunity to live in security and freedom.

[@mike7652]

Had it coming the second time though. Sherman left Dixie wrecked. (Gotta say that out loud)

[@nealaldous9037]

You’re an idiot, because this is the country of Georgia😂

[@nbewarwe]

I know about Sherman and his jolly walk to the coast. but what was the second time? Out of curiosity.

[@odyssey_accurate]

@@nbewarwe the Great Fire of 1917

[@nbewarwe]

@@odyssey_accurate Ah, thanks

[@A-C3731]

Thank you for your coverage, Simon, us Georgians appreciate it!❤

[@peterpanini96]

Good luck georgian people you deserve better...romaan was there... good luck stay healthy and high fortune for your amazing people... I wish the best for you ... I will travell there someday...

[@MegrelMamba]

Based flag

[@A-C3731]

@@MegrelMamba გაიხარე ჯიმა❤️

[@benjaminmllerjensen8705]

good luck to you and your people! hope you can escape the clammy soviet hand grip

[@Onora619]

May you have better luck in the future than what America and Georgia are currently dealing with!

[@Hebdomad7]

Anyone who remembers what happened in Ukraine in 2014 is seeing the same patterns here.

[@AL-lh2ht]

This already happened to Georgia before 2014. Russia effectively annexed a quarter of their country

[@davidcchi3373]

@@AL-lh2ht exactly. See how much backing last time USA provided, Georgia would fall in days not months. You are not escaping Russia. Be quiet and try to outsmart it somehow.

[@LashaRides]

Anyone who remembers what happened in Georgia in the 1990s and 2008 is seeing the same patterns in Ukraine today.

[@thomasvaverka5168]

you mean america's trying to start another war

[@davidcchi3373]

@ I was there in 1991. Lived. Grew up

[@LashaRides]

Heartfelt thanks from a long-time Georgian follower for your well-researched and balanced deep dive into the issue. Just a few corrections: 5:04 it wasn't ''the dull design of the Shevardnadze era'' but a reintroduced (since 1991) beloved national flag of the Democratic Republic of Georgia (1918-1921), designed by a famous Georgian sculptor Iakob Nikoladze (who worked with Auguste Rodin in Paris in the 1900s). 19:28 Abkhazia (like Adjara) was an Autonomous Republic (not an Oblast) within the Georgian SSR, South Ossetia was the only Autonomous Oblast in Georgia, just like Nagorno-Karabakh (NKAO) in Azerbaijan. 20:01 the phrasing that Abkhazians ''are thought to make up around half of Abkhazia's population'' might mislead uninformed viewers into believing that it was always like that. According to the last Soviet demographic census of 1989 the population of Georgia's Abkhaz Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic was made up of 45.7% ethnic Georgians, 17.8% Abkhazians, 14.6% Armenians, 14.3% Russians and 2.8% Greeks; the majority of those Georgians were expelled from the region during and after the war, resulting in the current demographic picture.

[@fatherera]

@@LashaRides this is not even researched. კაი რა.. ტიპები ჩვენით და ჩვენზე ფულს აკეთებენ და თქვენ ტაშს უკრავთ)) ვიკიპედია რისერჩი არაა ჩემო ძმაო

[@LashaRides]

@fatherera საიმონის ჩენელებს რო იცნობდე მაგას არ დაწერდი. ახალი ხარ გეტყობა

[@fatherera]

@@LashaRides რავი ჩემო ძმაო, რისერჩი სხვა რაღაცაა. არ ვიცი როგორ აგიხსნა სხვანაირად 😀 რისერჩს რო აკეთებს 2 ადამიანი - რომელიც უფრო "არაოფიციალურ" ინფორმაციას დაარისერჩებს ის უფრო რეალურ ინფორმაციას გაავლებს ხაზს ვიდრე ის ვინც ვიკიპედიიდან ამოღებულ ინფორმაციას შეაკოწიწებს. ალბათ შენც არ გესმის ქართული რეალობა, თორე ვიღაც საიმონის ქლიქბეითზე არ იბაზრებდი ამდენს

[@coconutsmarties]

Thank you for the contribution, genuinely. That third point in particular seems very important..

[@LashaRides]

@@coconutsmarties all I wrote is just factual information, easily verifiable by anyone interested in the topic. Basic facts do matter big time in this era of half-truths and manipulated interpretations.

[@HatBilly2008]

I lived in Tbilisi Georgia for 2 years, love the people and the country. They are low drama, and it is a safe place to walk and enjoy. The best water in the world for drinking. And the mountains are magnificent.😊😊❤❤ It is a great place to visit and stay.

[@MundaSquire]

Were you a Peace Corp volunteer?

[@SharanyoDutta-h4p]

Nah its just a very unique case that the intelligentsia is pro-georgian dream and pro-russia while the lower class is more pro west, it was quite similar in ukraine too the big cities of Odessa and Sevastopol were pro Russia ​@@MundaSquire

[@fivida]

​@SharanyoDutta-h4p No, the intelligentsia is certainly not 'pro-Georgian Dream and pro-Russia.' I'm not sure if you understand what the word 'intelligentsia' means. Most of the intelligentsia supports Western movements. Major cities do not support the current government, while in rural areas, people were coerced into voting for the Georgian Dream. It is primarily the lower class in villages who were bought off to vote for this party, not the other way around. Sevastopol was never 'pro-Russia,' nor was Odessa.

[@alexgreen1767]

# free Atlanta

[@Villanforsome]

@SharanyoDutta-h4p Absolutely not true. Every educated person who actually creates something and the middle class is against GD, including 90% of the businesses (some are afraid to speak out, some are not). Where GD has good level of support (even though not total) are people who were allowed to get rich under them, criminals, 75+ year old population who would share their credit card information over to a stranger on a random call and very uneducated people.

[@ultimaratio7373]

"Georgian Dream" has to be the most ludicrous name ever for a political party. Georgian Nightmare would be a more accurate description.

[@brandoninhofer6592]

Yep. So true. Just another pro Putin party.

[@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986]

Technically a nightmare is still a dream, just a bad one

[@Ekstrax]

stuff like that always reminds me of those dictator led terrorist groups that have Democratic in their name haha, mainly found now and in the past in Africa, some in the middle east

[@mudpie6927]

That's usually how most communist parties name their parties ie. the popularist party

[@ultimaratio7373]

@@sirsurnamethefirstofhisnam7986 Lol. It's a silly, almost infantile name In of itself IMO., regardless of its policies.

[@28ebdh3udnav]

An soviet joke that goes something like this... There's 3 guys in a prison cell. The first guy asked, "why y'all here?" The second guy says, "I'm here because I was in a rally in support of the Communist mayor. Long Live Communism!" The 3rd guy says, "I was arrested for protesting against the communist mayor. I dont like him but I want somebody better! A better communist at heart!" The 1st guy, "I am the communist mayor both of you were protesting for and against."

[@teebob21]

In Russia, all problems can be solved by jail.

[@brandoninhofer6592]

Entertaining, I just wish I understood the logic of the joke. Somethings just can't be translated.

[@laughingrabbit5109]

@@brandoninhofer6592 In soviet russia everyone goes to Gulag. That's the joke. XD

[@elliec4154]

It doesn't matter what you believe or who you support, you're going to jail 😅

[@moritamikamikara3879]

There's a new version of this btw. It goes like this: Three guys in a jail cell. 1st guy goes, "what are you in for?" 2nd guy goes "I got put in here for supporting that DaNgErOuS eXtrEemIst Strelkov. 1st guy "That's strange, I got put in here for opposing the GrEaT pAtRioT Strelkov" 2nd guy shrugs and looks over at the third guy "and you, what you in for?" The third guy turns around and looks at them, before saying "My name is Igor 'Strelkov' Girkin. Use your imagination."

[@Cosmosisification]

Starting this monologue with "The state of Georgia" is an unintended masterpiece 🤭

[@simonsykes4688]

Simon's writers are quite good. I wouldn't put it past them for this to be deliberate.

[@benjaminplotke4716]

Even the title is a reference to a Ray Charles song, which the Georgia State legislature designated as the "state song" 🍑👹 Edit: The thumbnail, not the title, is referencing Georgia on My Mind by Ray Charles

[@teebob21]

In the English language, "state" is a synonym for "nation".

[@benjaminplotke4716]

@@teebob21 which is an important distinction, because in the Latin language, state is the masculine singular vocative of the adjective stătus, which means appointed

[@teebob21]

@@benjaminplotke4716 Thank you for that lovely non sequitur. Do you have anything of value to add, or are you just wasting more space and time?

[@Achillez098]

You're from Georgia, sweet Georgia... And history books unfold ya!

[@paulc6471]

Epic Rap Battles in History. Well played.

[@bluegold1026]

If you know the reference, well played!

[@Verwaist1998]

Best wishes from America, Georgia. ❤

[@madness1261]

thank you, enjoy the money we send you from this region

[@Huarrnarg]

Dang, hopfully it doesn't spill over to Florida

[@GnosticAtheist]

god damn Americans ;D

[@Darth_Bateman]

Too late.

[@thepax2621]

Muricans 🙄

[@anttikalpio4577]

Florida is much crazier 😂

[@FreeFallingAir]

Sitting here in South Carolina sweating this rn😮

[@paulvonlettow-vorbeck4302]

Looks like The Devil has gone down to Georgia.

[@noahpokeemon6503]

GET OUT

[@jonathanh.p1997]

He was looking for a soul to steal

[@user-cz9jf1ec8s]

Whoops. Sorry he’s rather slick and hard to contain. I’ll come get him.

[@matthewcox7985]

Considering the incident at Lia, even the Devil might say f*** this!

[@sleelofwpg688]

More like, never left.

[@Rydonattelo]

The Georgian alphabet script is beautiful. It looks like elvish .

[@moritamikamikara3879]

It does kindbof look like tengwar scriot

[@sebbvell3426]

All my love to Georgia (Sakartvelo) 🇬🇪 from Venezuela 🇻🇪

[@GoodBaleadaMusic]

😂😂😂.

[@Throwæy]

Bro you guys are doing even worse

[@Prod.brownking956]

LOL

[@r3ktfox146]

Rn you guys need more love, your shit show has even caused problems in my country (Trinidad and Tobago). I wish Venezuelans the best cause you guys need it

[@GoodBaleadaMusic]

@@r3ktfox146 ya just suck gringo pipe guys

[@leopard_52]

Bro, google ads are something else. I got an aide gaza ad and google classified it as a shooting game ad lmao.

[@adenkyramud5005]

Bruuuh 😂

[@interrobangings]

accurate

[@linchen5129]

^^^ those are palestinians

[@ardsam6922]

Could be worse. Got an ai gf ad the other day but it was aged up cartoon characters. It said it only used date, time, and location (one pm on a weekday) to target it.

[@atomm3331]

That would actually make sense if the ad was running in Israel.

[@lethaldose19lifeaftergamin5]

Georgians deserve respect!! And should be heard and helped! This comes from a Romanian here. Glory to Georgia!! We are with you! 🇬🇪🇷🇴🇺🇦🇵🇱🇪🇺

[@tavirosu25]

Meanwhile in Romania we had our democratic election revoked and most if not all out top politicians do not care.

[@18_rabbit]

exactly! All ppl's and nations of goodfaith shoudl assist Georgians to stop this dark oppression of one of teh oldest societies at the heart of original civilization itself! Stop the russian golden hordes with their medieval new viking warlord hordes!

[@Real_Person_Not_A_Bot]

Someone contact Gattsu! He'd be so happy to know someone cares about his country.

[@TP_ERK]

chad gattsu watcher detacted. comment liked.

[@olegbobrovskiy3244]

BASED Gattsu fan spotted in the wild. Now get back in the basement, someone needs to watch Gattsu as he records more brainrot content

[@linchen5129]

gattsu has been drafted to the front

[@fjorddenierbear4832]

Gattsu is funny, but not an intellectual leader. He should talk to his elders more.

[@g3523jaen]

Russia> Take 2 regions and invade Georgia within the last 20 years. Georgian Dream> Lets get closer to Russia WTF... >D

[@Tito_michi]

They are not getting closer to Russia, where does it come from? They want to trade with all the world and they NEED tourists for their economy. Most of them come from former Soviet republics, c'est la vie. Check the reaction of the EU officials, isn't it a dictate? Why are they judging Georgia, a sovereign country? It's none of their business whom Georgian people elect. I couldn't find any Russian official reaction to Salome Zourabichvili's, a French citizen's, election. Yet this lady never lived in Georgia, didn't participate in WWII, where around 400,000 Georgians fought Hitler. She didn't bear all the hardships of 1990s. I am not surprised her policy was not popular among common people. And she has no respect for the Soviet period which is still held dear to many Georgians who built the country. It's their right and pluralism of opinions should exist in European-like democracies, how do you think?😊

[@BeaufighterGaming]

Stockholm syndrome: the party

[@yagsipcc287]

As records show even the EU owns official report shows that it was Georgia who attacked after they were given tons of US weapons and training they were stopped. Russia has an agreement in place to act as a protective over a region. George Dream was the party to change the law so they had to go towards joining the EU it was then the EU who refused to let them join as of the last year or so for several reasons one being the law that the video called "Russian law" it is not it's a law every single western country has and the US was the first to have it requires all groups, NGOs and organisations to disclose their funding of any groups parties or governments are funding them when it goes over a certain percentage. The EU and US got mad about this likely because they are the ones funding NGO groups who have been pushing for super liberal policy in a very naturally conservative country even their liberals are pretty conservative on average. Georgia has no wish to not work with anyone there is no reason why they can not do trade with all countries this is the point.

[@fivida]

@@yagsipcc287 Not really pipsqueak. Lies and lies. Firstly, show me the documents the huge increase of military equipment to support your claims that Georgia was "planning to invade". Surprise, surprise Georgia's equipment till this day consists of Soviet Arsenal, not from NATO. Average Russian propaganda. Georgia didn't decide on one day to decide to invade for no reason. Totally wrong. You specifically take it out of context like everything was peaceful and evil Georgian Army stepped on the territory which according to the international law is part of Georgia. According to OSCE and other organizations. Russia started "Russification” of the region, which Russia had encouraged by waiving the visa requirement for South Ossetians, granting them Russian passports, and promising to pay pensions. This is a total violation of international law and I hope I don't have to write why. Between 2004-2008 OSCE reports that there were clashes from both sides. Georgian government was trying to find a solution to go on a compromise for peace. Separatists rejected this idea. When it was offered to deploy 10 more observers in the Tskhinvali region, it was rejected by Ossetians for some reason, I wonder why. Russia conducted military exercises before the war started. I don't think it's a coincidence. The days before the war started there were reports that Georgian villages close to the conflict zone under Georgian control were bombed. Civilians left Ossetia the days BEFORE the war even broke out: "Nikolay Pankov, the Russian deputy defence minister, had a confidential meeting with the separatist authorities in Tskhinvali on 3 August. An evacuation of Ossetian women and children to Russia began on the same day. According to researcher Andrey Illarionov, the South Ossetian separatists evacuated more than 20,000 civilians, which represented more than 90 percent of the civilian population of the future combat zone". Russian troops entered Tskhinvali on the 7th. day before the war officially started. So your claims of Georgia starting the war is biased, because you take everything out of the context. OSCE literally mentions the intervention of Russia and provocations of Russian armed forces.

[@sababugs1125]

Joining the EU would require them to pass anti-corruption laws anti-corruption laws would require them to stop being corrupt

[@TogtherWeThrive]

Free Georgia! 💙 From Michigan

[@MetalFox1993]

Free Michigan from what?

[@davidyoung2111]

From Michigan! Forget Michigan, you guys beat my Ohio State Buckeyes 😢. Hey it's all good, much love from Cincinnati, Ohio to Michigan. Michigan did vote for Trump so your state is awsome in my eyes, lol. God bless & Merry xmas.

[@TogtherWeThrive]

@@MetalFox1993 I'm from Michigan and I support people's rights as best I can. Where are you from and do you like to be free? or not?

[@mrpeacecraft]

@@TogtherWeThrive Yes, people rights are the most important rights for the people. Without people rights they couldn't do people stuff. I am from germany, my dad is a car mechanic and being free is pretty okay I guess, but it should also be a peoples right! For the people.

[@TogtherWeThrive]

@@mrpeacecraft I lived in Germany for 3 years. I loved it there. I lived in Sembach village by Kaiserslaughtern.

[@HenryAndersen]

Thank you. Good overview. Georgians are fabulous, brave people.

[@rorytribbet6424]

And the only reason white people are called Caucasians is cause the guy studying human genetics at the time thought Georgian girls were really beautiful

[@MrFranKane]

My neighbour is Georgian(2 years moved in). I'm from dublin, Ireland. We have had a to and fro about bullshit since they moved in. I'm going to say sorry and apologize to his family and him. We got of on the wrong foot and now I know more about georgian peoples stance

[@benjaminburgess43]

Fair play fella

[@d.m6614]

Yes sounds like you got of on the wrong foot. Usually some of the nicest ppl

[@Wellnesspeacelovefun]

Love Georgia from Canada 🇨🇦 🇬🇪!

[@stynkanator]

That's the night that the lights went out in Georgia

[@silverwheel]

The Night They Drove Nagorny-Karabach Down

[@christopherwhite8933]

That’s the same night they hung an innocent man!

[@jesserichard9265]

I’m gonna go to Georgia someday. Tbilisi looks amazing and I bet the people are fantastic.

[@GrievousReborn]

A streamer and KZbinr I watch lives in Georgia and he told a story about how one of the presidents they had. He had the head of a school arrested just so he could give it to his mother who then gave it to her friend.

[@MAGABeard]

Giving away others belongings. Imminent domain?

[@gotham_edits1720]

english pls

[@johnkingmk]

​@@MAGABeardI think he means the position of the head of schools

[@beewisebeestronger6224]

​@@gotham_edits1720Logic dictates he means the job of the headteacher

[@sadmermaid]

Gattsu

[@suzannederusha1370]

Thank you so much for keeping us informed, I appreciate your style and how well informed you are. Thank you.

[@Grumpy_ol_Gamer]

General Sherman heard a Georgia was left unburned.

[@yobebill1234]

on a scale of 9 to 10 how dumb are you?

[@alexandru5369]

LOL

[@TogtherWeThrive]

that is clever. But for real. Georgia! 💙

[@DB4331]

Witty. 🙂

[@DongusMcBongus]

Georgia’s March to the Black Sea.

[@divermike8943]

Thank you for keeping this story in the public eye. The mainstream press seems to have forgotten Georgia.

[@DawnchaserTheAdventurer]

I still see articles about it every couple days from various large media orgs. But they don't ride front and center on TV news, because countries with less than 5 million people rarely make the news unless there's an invasion or a civil war. And even then, the further east you go from Germany, the harder it is to make people notice. Only reason the Ukrainians have managed to rally so much attention and support is because they share a land border with NATO countries and they have a huge diaspora in the US and Western Europe - a diaspora that votes and has lobbying organizations. Georgians are far fewer in number and in the US, a lot of them are... Not here legally, so they can't really rally together publicly and demand their representatives and senators do anything. Both a blessing and a curse. There are no stereotypes about them in the US to have to fight against. But also not enough visibility to get help in crises. Rep Joe Wilson is... Basically it for real champions of Georgia in the US

[@LadyGaladrielOfLothlorien]

"Georgian Dream is called Georgian Dream because everything they promised to do remains a dream" - A 9th grader girl in my school

[@lucasasfora3573]

Amazing quality content. So well researched and objective. You've got yourself a new subscriber. I'm going to Tbilissi today (on holidays), hope the situation doesn't go into civil war mode. Let's hope for the best.

[@bestdjaf7499]

Objective!? "Russia, Russia, Russia" is not objective. Everyone pretends that there is a chance of Georgia joining the EU. Well, they did the same in Ukraine. Georgia not even in Europe. So who is doing it & why? And it's just the geopolitical games. WikiLeaks has published a report "Colored Revolutions: A New Form of Regime Change, Made in USA". And you don't have to be a genius to see the "color revolution" pattern. Just how comfortably they are using Google/Facebook/Twitter... tools. Try to post something on KZbin/Facebook in the US. But apparently it's totally cool to use those applications to start a revolution in Georgia or Ukraine or Syria or Egypt or Iran or ....

[@bestdjaf7499]

Objective?! Let's all pretend that Georgia will join the EU. Everyone knows that it's just nonsense. They are not even in Europe. And "the law requires NGOs that receive 20 percent or more of their funding from abroad to officially register themselves as “pursuing the interests of a foreign power.” How is it beneficial to Russia? Wouldn't it affect Russia & the US equally?! And I love how they are all using Google/Facebook/Twitter... to organize these "color revolutions". I can post anything "controversial" on KZbin. I guess, I should move to Georgia or Syria or Iran... to be able to post freely.

[@kaitospin3944]

"You're from Georgia, sweet Georgia"...

[@Curious-Mr.-Lee]

And history books unfold ya...

[@Qartlos]

It is sad that you know my country because of a man who rejected his national identity

[@MM22966]

One of the more bizarre occurrences for Georgia was that (under Saakashvili) they had contributed a couple of battalions of troops to help the US occupation of Iraq, as a way to build the Western/US/NATO relationship and gain military experience. Those troops had to be deployed BACK to Georgia during the 2008 war there.

[@Qartlos]

Ok and? It was for Georgia’s political interest

[@MM22966]

@@Qartlos Nothing but what I said. I just thought it was an interesting factoid to add to the subject.

[@Qartlos]

@@MM22966 interesting factor to add. But who do you support in this case?

[@MM22966]

@@Qartlos I can see you think I have some sort of hidden agenda, but I don't. I barely know the players out there. It was one reason I watched this video. I suppose if I had to pick, it would be whoever gives Putin the biggest middle finger and gives good governance to one of the oldest Christian lands in Eurasia.

[@Qartlos]

@ you can’t blame me for that. It’s hard to tell which one is kremlin bot and which one is man actually sharing his opinion. I am Georgian by the way.

[@zatgeye7320]

1 place behind that bastion of democracy Ukraine

[@Jameywells777]

All the instability in this region always comes from that idiot in control of Russia.

[@GlorifiedG-z9c]

Why can't he just tend to his own massive country ?

[@holdenSFZ]

Ur mom?

[@christopheraaron9358]

right how did i know...... russia 😂😂😂😂

[@goblue2155]

You mean nato

[@MultiTasker888]

You mean Nato 😂😂😂

[@Rooftopaccessorizer]

it took me a full 39 seconds to realize this was about the country not the state. oddly enough, i can totally see georgia alabama being the epicenter of some american political unrest involving russian influence and elections too!

[@g1rltermite]

Thank you for making this video, it’s much appreciated you use your voice to spread awareness

[@neofulcrum5013]

I was wondering what was happening over there, then comes Simon to peel the layers.

[@MundaSquire]

It is a definite US/British take. I suggest you dig deeper. You'll find Russia is not the problem. Hint: US color revolution.

[@fivida]

@@MundaSquire "US color revolution". Elections were rigged, there's no legitimate government when there are dozens of videos in which people vote 40 times in a row and get paid for it outside and for protesting we should blame US? You don't make any sense.

[@rubiconnn]

@@MundaSquire Russian propaganda

[@gentleman2.061]

​@@rubiconnnNATO propaganda !

[@gentleman2.061]

​@@rubiconnn Be smart boy ! If you don't agree with what he says, argue. Don't tell this nonsense : 'Russian propaganda'.

[@robertbean8116]

20 years ago while i served in Operation Iraqi Freedom i met Georgian Soldiers at Kuwait International Airport returning from duty in Iraq. We should remember that they served as our allies in the "coalition of the willing."

[@nkarim4979]

And you all left them. Their only reason for being involved in that war was to get protection from Russia. When Russia invaded Abkhazia and South Ossetia, America basically said "sorry, we can't help". All they did was airlift Georgian soldiers in Iraq to Georgia. Some "ally" America is.

[@robertbean8116]

Sad but true. I remember troops from Poland, Italy, Denmark, New Zealand, El Salvador, UK, Australia, Spain, Japan, South Korea, there's more including some pacific island nations. They no doubt had many motives for going but I still respect them as brothers in arms, and I wish them all a prosperous future.

[@jibberism9910]

So they're the baddies, basically?

[@JamesH0420]

I must be getting old - seeing a sweater without long sleeves always bothers me

[@godnimrod]

This video is surprisingly close to reality, rarely do we see such an accurate video about Georgia. But, Abkhazia is the name of the region, not the name of the people, those you describe are not Abkhaz, but Apsua people, they're genetically mostly Georgian, but speak in a language related to Circassians. They have never been a majority in Abkhazia, before the 1990s Apsua made up around 17% of Abkhazia's population and wouldn't come close to being around 50% without Russia helping them to ethnically cleansing Georgians and also kicking over 250 000 Georgians out of the region, so more Georgians were kicked out of there than people are living in Abkhazia. It is and was completely Georgian for many millennia. It is proven by everything from medieval churches and inscriptions on them, to all internal or foreign historical sources, or the actual archeology and everything else. Apsua and Russian propaganda took over the name Abkhazia because the propaganda claims that the Kingdom of Abkhazia that existed in the Middle Ages was Apsua kingdom and propaganda of Apsua being Abkhaz begins there, which is a lie, because the Kingdom of Abkhazia was fully Georgian, not only that but Kingdom of Abkhazia was were Kingdom of Georgia was born and established, by Georgian king. It is important to emphasize and not make mistakes about this because it is an active line of propaganda to this day and it is a historical lie that Russians teach Apsua and other people living in Abkhazia today. Another thing is that the election was beyond rigged, one thing is how the West described it, and the other was what we saw all around Georgia, "Georgian Dream"'s support was declining significantly, yet they somehow ended up getting way more votes than they have ever received, way more than even during their peak popularity.

[@isaiasr7517]

"if i had a nickle for every time an Eastern-aligned country comited massive electoral fraud in this year, I would have two nickles, which isn't a lot but it's weird that happens twice" (if I missed other countries please mention them in the replies)

[@DB4331]

Probably Romania ??

[@kieronparr3403]

Belarus election coming

[@apokkalyps6]

​@@kieronparr3403the only thing elected there is the dinner Lukashenka will have to celebrate the confirmation of his dictatorship.

[@ccostandinclaudia]

România. The entire vote was eliminated, we all need to vote again because it's believed Russia intervened in it

[@apokkalyps6]

@@ccostandinclaudia well done🫡👏

[@giorgimkheidze1501]

Thank you for getting the word out, especially with such detail and accuracy, thorough as always. We Georgians appreciate it; we definitely need more visibility right now. Best wishes from Tbilisi!

[@armandotalampas4800]

Who thought of the title "Georgia should be on your mind???" It's like a title for an episode of my favorite television show

[@ohhansel]

With all that southern rock that the people from Georgia have listened to I'm not surprised they're ready to fight.

[@Leafophobia]

Great review! Keep up the good work! It's excactly what's happening in Georgia.

[@sH-ed5yf]

Waiting for the russian bots to cry CIA.

[@PeterSlade-ut3mb]

You mean the CIA bots to cry Russia? Same tired playbook just a different country

[@DB4331]

Yup. A bag of sugar falls off the shelve in Moscow and it's the CIA's fault...

[@shleyLX]

Not Russias fault thats not a entirely unbelievable option, but sadly I also wouldn't be surprised.

[@DB4331]

@@shleyLX Have you seen the size of the demonstrations in Georgia? They're massive. The CIA can't even overthrow their tiny next door neighbor Communist Cuba. No way the CIA can get that many people out onto the streets.

[@MMC-TMB]

American bot here, and yes my guess is CIA…. Is that really that crazy….?

[@Tech-Nick-Que]

Hello from Georgia. I can verify that research for this video is very accurate. some minor details aside (zourabichvili was while independent technically, georgian dream backed candidate. in 2nd round it was gd pictures on the banners instead of her) If any foreigners have any questions I can answer. I'm first hand witness of all that processes.

[@bwin3401]

How does Kobakidzhe fit into Russia's plans for the future of Georgia?

[@mrj5695]

Georgia on my mind

[@Darkseidsolosfiction]

Get out🗣️

[@planecrazy242]

Thanks for covering this, it's difficult to understand a government going more in the complete opposite direction than the people want it's country to head.

[@elultimopujilense]

Thank you for talking about the brave peiple of Georgia!

[@Greg-fs8np]

Very informative but depressing. Thank you for the excellent presentation of details and context.

[@18_rabbit]

its only depressing if u are in the west and have learned helplnessness that did things like cause the rise of trumpism: make sure u keep emailing your rep's in whatever country u are in if its' a nation w/ elected rep's.

[@Greg-fs8np]

@@18_rabbit I'm from Minnesota in the US. Just curious, 18 rabbit, where are you from?

[@Qartlos]

@@Greg-fs8nphe is Russian media consumer or kremlin bot. Don’t bother guessing what he is on about. He will never reply

[@Wameali]

Praying for Georgia ❤

[@EmilyJelassi]

I very much hope that Georgia's troubles are able to be solved peacefully and without any "intervention " from Russia!!! Georgians are incredibly brave. Sending all Georgian wishes for a long, peaceful, happy life! Brave Georgia 🇬🇪

[@luiscastaneda4583]

Even from hell, Stalin and Beria still keep tormenting their people.

[@Qartlos]

We are not their people. We never were

[@jonikukuh5619]

south osseatia and abhaksia is example of how is Ukraine right now

[@ikeu6433]

Oh, that Georgia

[@Bamboozle2977]

Me, a southern Georgian resident, immediately clicked on this video, terrified my home state was burning down. Update…we good. God Bless to all of our Georgian brothers and sisters over seas.

[@MM22966]

You'll never be safe from Florida. 😁

[@MegrelMamba]

@@Bamboozle2977 Sherman's spirit almost returned.

[@mike7652]

​@@MegrelMamba Sherman left Dixie wrecked.

[@petrilio]

Wrong Georgia.

[@MM22966]

@@petrilio But, really, is there a right Georgia?

[@reggiefurlow1]

Great headline!

[@KulshanStudios]

my friends are on the streets of Tbilisi right now, messaging me about the 'inauguration' of the new 'president as we speak We won't know til Monday what happens, since the footballer doesn't officially start and enter the palace til Monday, but it's likely to end in either a massive protest that blocks the roads around the palace and prevents security forces from entering and weird chaotic 2 Presidents 2 Offices 1 Country scenario, or if GD wants to juggle lit firecrackers, an arrest Knowing what I do about Georgian history over the last several... centuries... it is not gonna be pretty next week

[@alexgreen1767]

# free Atlanta

[@coconutsmarties]

​@@alexgreen1767 Yeah the joke's gettin old, buddy

[@alexgreen1767]

@@coconutsmarties it was 6 days ago.

[@coconutsmarties]

@@alexgreen1767 On that we agree.

[@frostpst477]

I’ve seen a video from a native Georgian back when the riots happened. The Georgian people are based and deserve sovereignty. ❤️🇬🇪

[@RandallSlick]

An excellent and useful video. Good work.

[@TheMoonRulesNo1]

I saw the title and immediately thought to myself, wtf happened in the last 24 hours? I'm American, BTW, so my first thought was the state of Georgia. Great video. I find your content to be excellent at keeping me abreast of global issues.

[@Royce16727]

This is going to get worse before it gets better… Who knows what will happen when/if the president refuses to step down in January? I've been following this ongoing story for a few years now, and I appreciate you guys covering it! Great video!

[@animalfarm7467]

The previous president has already "stepped down". Mikheil Kavelashvili was jut sworn in. Looks like its time for the US to import some of their famous "freedom & democracy" to Georgia?

[@fjorddenierbear4832]

The deluded French idealist already stepped down, no issues.

[@WWFYMN]

@@fjorddenierbear4832she didn’t, she is still the real president and she is invited to Trump’s inauguration as the president of Georgia

[@chrismanuel4659]

Excellent summary of the recent history of this region, however would you please pay more attention to getting the pronunciation of the country's names right as this was really grating on the ears.. ☺️

[@pointly]

I was about to say, "Really Atlanta?! WTF?" But you meant the COUNTRY. Thank you public education

[@TheAlison1456]

nice, romantically apocalyptic

[@Woap_64]

Tbf that's pretty stupid

[@bryandraughn9830]

They are synonymous.

[@fjorddenierbear4832]

To be frank, Putin just invaded BOTH Georgias.

[@alia7368]

Not one news outlet in the US can ever be this thorough in giving me geopolitics since the days of Phil Donohue in 2002

[@JeremyBrochu-wp5wc]

Firrst shout out from maine usa my friend love ur channels cheers

[@Wargasmo]

Oh, there were actually a bunch of shout outs from Maine already.

[@Hunterrobinson-u4f]

Never thought the devil would go down to Georgia. 😬🇬🇪

[@gregmorris2022]

The World is about to boil over.

[@marypylyp1636]

Georgia is on my mind since 2008 All Ukrainian stands with free spirited Georgian people

[@thewingedhussar4188]

Man this angers me so. We need to help georgia 🇬🇪

[@pkt1213]

That really sucks. We had Georgians deployed with us in Afghanistan. I think all of them wanted closer ties with the West and EU. If I remember correctly, they had to volunteer and provide a lot of their own kit.

[@L.McLaren]

As an Australian who has lived in Georgia for over a year, i certainly appreciate this video

[@owenthomas5103]

just like Ukraine the people elected a government to do one thing and that government completely ignored that to be Putin's puppet instead. All "democracies" need to learn form this and have a governments term dramatically reduced when it brakes election pledges, and hold leaders who deliberately do so criminally responsible - just like if someone lied to get into any other senior job.

[@vatosardalishvili]

Simon, thank you for such extensive coverage of the situation in Georgia. The Shevardnadze and Saakashvili era are significant in retrospect of what is happening now. One circumstance that should have more attention in your coverage is that the "Georgian Dream" rigged the 2024 parliamentary elections, which are proven on one side by independent Exit-polls, showing 13% less rating for GD (41% as opposed to 54%) and by critical evaluation of elections by OSCE ODIHR. Ruzzia has installed a puppet regime from 2012, since it was not able to hamper Georgian's desire to achieve true independence. There is no future for Georgia with ruzzia in any form other than slaves of an empire and our ancestors haven't died fightning in vain so that we would just surrender to the enemy. People who are speaking positively about Georgian and ruzzian relationship are either enslaved spiritually or are on enemy's payroll. Matter of fact, ruzzian informational war is being waged by our own illegitemate government but ruzzia is the main enemy for an overwheming majoroty of Georgians. We need all the support we can get from the world. Georgia's place is in EU and we won't rest until we achieve our historical goal.

[@JoeyDediashvili]

Okay. Now if the world won’t give us support… or gives us support like they did in Ukraine… what then? I’m asking this as a Georgian born citizen of the US. I see all this talking of absolutes but causing war and losing maybe the whole country (after it being destroyed by Russia prior to a form of annexation) what happens then? I am just confused. And please, no personal attacks. I just don’t see the rational thinking here… we’d prefer Georgia destroyed rather than pretending there is not a humane soul in Russia who would be more prone to giving back our land if we don’t antagonize them and pretend they’re not a super power that has more negotiating strength?

[@vatosardalishvili]

@ Look, dear Georgian born citizen of US, if you have an informed outlook on the history of ruzzia and its neighbors, you will be able to see that any time one of the countries tries to develop itself, ruzzia initiates aggression and it is only satisfied if said neighbor is a majorly pro-ruzzian puppet. So, ruzzia itself acts in absolutes and if we obey their soft force now, this will mean that we’ll plunge in a far worse and weaker situation, from which, our children or grandchildren will have a far harder time to climb out, that is, if they’ll have any chance at all and if they won’t be assimilated like Chechnia, Dagestan or other “republics”. The other option is to strive for partnership with the West now, when ruzzia is at its weakest point and defend ourselves if they decide to invade. The options are pretty simple if you look at it objectively. A slave is guaranteed to be dead, but his master chooses when to, after he/she is used and discarded. A defender fights for his/her rights and however little of a chance he has, at minimum he dies on ones own terms and maximum - achieves freedom. You are either a fighter or a slave.

[@vatosardalishvili]

​@@JoeyDediashvili It is ruzzia that's acting in absolutes, we are just playing the hand which we were forced to and the sooner you understand that ruzzia doesn't negotiate with countries it has targeted, the lesser you will hamper Georgian people's road to independence. The scenario in which we don't antagonize a country that has been invading and destroying us for more than 200 years: We become totally controlled and dependent on ruzzia (picture Chechnia or Dagestan) and if our children of grandchildren will have the desire to break away, it will be extremely hard in their circumstances because they won't have a sliver of autonomy and no support from the outer world. The second option is to oppose your oppressors by any means possible. This is a very hard road, but unfortunately, we don't have much of a choice due to our geopolitical situation. We have the best chance so far due to ruzzia being objectively weaker than it was and the West having a precedent of supporting Ukraine. So, the choice here is hard but clear. We either accept to be slaves or we fight to be a free and independent country.

[@vatosardalishvili]

@@JoeyDediashvili It is ruzzia that's acting in absolutes, we are just playing the hand which we were forced to and the sooner you understand that ruzzia doesn't negotiate with countries it has targeted, the lesser you will hamper Georgian people's road to independence. The scenario in which we don't antagonize a historically malicious country: We become totally controlled and dependent on ruzzia (picture Chechnia or Dagestan) and if our children of grandchildren will have the desire to break away, it will be extremely hard in their circumstances because they won't have a sliver of autonomy and no support from the outer world. The second option is to oppose your oppressors by any means possible. This is a very hard road, but unfortunately, we don't have much of a choice due to our geopolitical situation. We have the best chance so far due to ruzzia being objectively weaker than it was and the West having a precedent of supporting Ukraine. So, the choice here is hard but clear. We either accept to be slaves or we strive to be a free and independent country.

[@JoeyDediashvili]

@ right. And what you say makes sense however there are factors people have not accounted for. Like losing our foot in the Russian markets. People’s livelihood. The track record of the West pulling out and not helping Georgia when it comes down to it. And the West (referring to the US) meddling in other countries and causing coups not too dissimilar to Russia. It just to me seems like which empire do we want to be ruled by… I would say let’s be neutral but that seems to maybe not be possible due to corruptibility of politicians.

[@JBEMultimediamadrid]

Did I get it correctly?.... The President of Georgia, after he lost reelection, left for Ukraine to become a governor in Ukraine... How is that even possible. Is he a universal citizen?

[@gentleman2.061]

This tells you the truth. Ukraine, Georgia, Taywan, etc They are all colonies of the United States. When they don't like the election results, they foment a coup in the form of a color revolution. And behind they place whoever they want.

[@Potato-yd3hv]

Not the Ray Charles thumbnail 💀💀

[@erpthompsonqueen9130]

Thank you. Watching from Alaska. 🤔

[@Kathy-d1g]

My prayers and support are with the Georgian people. 💕🙏💕🙏💕

[@gssthh]

"Those who make peaceful revolution impossible, make violent revolution inevitable. " John Fitzgerald Kennedy.

[@jibberism9910]

That knife cuts both ways. Careful what you wish for.

[@gssthh]

@jibberism9910 I'm not sure that comment makes sense

[@jibberism9910]

@@gssthh Not all political violence may be to your liking.

[@DarkWarchieff]

Remember, billionaires arent people.

[@joshuafrimpong244]

Luigi found that out the hard way sadly. They are quick to move against his actions and not address the issues that led to the action

[@mfallen2023]

Neither are commies

[@MegrelMamba]

This revolution isn't about muh "rich vs poor", it's Russian irredentists vs its neighbors.

[@peripheralparadox4218]

If you were offered two buttons, with the green offering you a billion dollars and the red offering you nothing, I guarantee you I know which one you would press. So don’t be a hypocrite.

[@douglasbillington8521]

​@@peripheralparadox4218not if getting that money made a million people suffer

[@Curious-Mr.-Lee]

The Georgian written language is phenomenal

[@IronWarhorses]

I heard Greeta Thumberg was seen there recently trying to save democracy lol.

[@Qartlos]

I mean, rare Greeta W I guess

[@Vondaelen]

I'm not Georgian, but I thank you for talking about this.

[@metalbob123]

Mozambique is also on fire

[@GnosticAtheist]

Wait, are you saying there is more? In this peaceful decade of love and harmony? Well I never...

[@brandonransley7091]

When isn't it?

[@fruitylerlups530]

i thought history ended in 1992!!! whats going on?!?!?@?

[@JoeBlow-wr5em]

Glad the US is intervening, wouldn't want a repeat of Libya, Syria, or Iraq

[@ignitionfrn2223]

0:55 - Chapter 1 - Background 2:20 - Chapter 2 - The bumpy road out of soviet influence 10:30 - Chapter 3 - Georgian dream & the move "east" 14:00 - Chapter 4 - The "russian bill" & protests 17:50 - Chapter 5 - Tampered elections & continued protests 19:00 - Chapter 6 - Meanwhile in abkhazia 21:55 - Chapter 7 - Ongoing protests & analysis

[@ComaDave]

One does not simply walk away from Mordor.

[@GabrielUngacta]

As an American, I was thinking "Oh shit! Round two!?" But really though this does shake up Putin influence in the region.

[@beefy1728]

You should thank Putin he doesn't have the impulse like Nikita Khrushchev. We should have been glowing in the dark a long time ago.

[@doping5272]

Brother, how do you know so much about Georgia. Thank you very much for this video

[@herbzom5203]

the georgians never asked the europeans if they could join their club but passed a law that they are gonna join the club non the less. they call it georgian dream because they have to be asleep to believe the eu will pay for them to live like the west. they will have to work themselves and its best to do that by trading with its neighbours on good terms.

[@jibberism9910]

Same goes for the EU. Europeans' interests are being squandered. Slowly, Europe will awaken to the facts. It will be a bad day for us all when that pot finally boils over.

[@spanglestein66]

Sounds very superficial….but because the flag of Georgia 🇬🇪 is so similar to the English flag 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 ….i feel a kinship with the Georgians . Add to that they are also a Christian nation too God bless them may they find peace and be left to make their own choices

[@MarkGovern]

Superficial and racist too.

[@spanglestein66]

@ wacists whaaaaaaaaaaaaaauuuuu

[@Qartlos]

We actually had one cross flag before the formation of England. Georgia is second country to be officially Christian (after Armenia) and this flag is 🇬🇪 influenced by crusader flag (thanks for the support)

[@spanglestein66]

@ thank you brother 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿❤️⚡️

[@Boneless_McGee]

How many ignorant Americans (like me) clicked this thinking there were massive riots suddenly going on in Atlanta, Athens and Valdosta? 🤦

[@MM22966]

When the 2008 war with Russia happened there, FOX accidentally put up a news graphic showing a map...of the STATE of Georgia. So probably many.

[@grr-OUCH]

It reminds me of when Russian invaded Georgia. However, thinking there are firs in the state of Georgia is not unsubstantiated. Protests like to cross the line.

[@Rainbow_Oracle]

I mean, it wouldn't be unexpected for there to be some kind rioting in Atlanta. That's just par for the course.

[@mike7652]

I did say to myself "the country or the state?" I wouldn't have been surprised at either.

[@nolongerblocked6210]

Nope, only you're that ignorant

[@DavidJashi]

Thanks, Simon. As always, balanced and high-quality analysis into current situation and historical background. Also, as always, you managed to butcher each and every Georgian name and toponym mentioned. With some of them even being pronounced in 2 or 3 different incorrect ways. 😂

[@aac74]

but why does 'democracy' always mean cia bases, nato membership and war?

[@fjorddenierbear4832]

True, "democracy" is basically a code word for what you describe. It means you become a vassal.

[@MarkGovern]

Because Russia is insecure and starts a war as they don’t respect the sovereignty of nations.

[@gmassaiak]

Great Explanation !

[@PeskyWabb1t]

18:28 Admitting that Georgia started the war is just admitting to reality; it shouldn't be a controversial choice. The EU's own report says Georgia started the conflict.

[@MarkGovern]

Russia started the war when it invaded Georgia.

[@MarkGovern]

Russia started the war when it invaded Georgia.

[@ultimaratio7373]

Why does Ruzzia still occupy Abchazia and South Ossetia?

[@PeskyWabb1t]

@@MarkGovern go read the EU report

[@marqsee7948]

if you mean 2008, that's on Russia.

[@phoenixcatholic5367]

It would have been interesting to include sentence or two about the attitude / stance of the Georgian Orthodox Church in all of this.

[@mike4402]

Sounds like they need some freedom

[@JessicaDainese]

And democracy? 😂

[@generaltom6850]

@@JessicaDainese Hell yeah. Let’s free all those Natural Resources- I mean the people.

[@JessicaDainese]

@generaltom6850do people really believe the propaganda? Every single war is about resources.

[@marqsee7948]

@@JessicaDainese is that what Putin wants people to think? Then why does he keep lying about it?

[@AL-lh2ht]

@@JessicaDainesename the natural resources in Georgia…..

[@ralphmcmahan2139]

I'd like to complain about Russian interference in other countries affairs. And I would to if I wasn't American.