Executive Summary: Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream, passed the Foreign Agents Registration Act on April 1, expanding control over media and individuals by criminalizing foreign-funded activity, leading to media closures, and provoking international condemnation for eroding democratic freedoms. Georgian Dream has initiated sweeping personnel changes... MORE

Executive Summary: Georgia seeks a diplomatic reset with the U.S. President Donald Trump Administration following strained relations due to contested October 2024 parliamentary elections and subsequent protests. The Georgian government accuses an invisible “deep state” of anti-Georgian sentiment in the West and hopes that the... MORE

Executive Summary: Georgian Dream has shifted from an initially anti-People’s Republic of China (PRC) stance to embracing the PRC’s development model, formalizing ties through a strategic partnership signed in 2023. Bilateral trade and PRC investment have surged in Georgia, including a free trade agreement, infrastructure... MORE

Executive Summary: The new Abkhaz de facto leadership is staunchly pro-Russia, and Moscow hopes that a new leader will eventually pass through the long-expected legislation on foreign investments in Abkhazia. Russia has expanded support for Abkhazia, using aid, infrastructure projects, and political backing despite economic... MORE

Executive Summary: Russian President Vladimir Putin and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signed the wide-ranging Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on January 17 to boost bilateral relations for further progress in areas including opposition to NATO expansion, the North-South Corridor, and the 3+3 format. Moscow and... MORE

Executive summary: Georgia is under increasing pressure from Russia to join the 3+3 format on regional cooperation for peace and stability in the South Caucasus, which includes Russia, Iran, and Türkiye along with Armenia, Azerbaijan, and, intentionally, Georgia.  The Kremlin views Georgia’s participation as crucial... MORE

Executive Summary: The Russian Foreign Intelligence (SVR) has been accusing the European Union of conducting influence campaigns in Georgia through funding anti-government protests. EU officials denied these claims, calling them a disinformation campaign aimed at undermining EU-Georgia relations. The ruling Georgian Dream party has escalated... MORE

Executive Summary: Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze acknowledged challenges in Georgia-EU relations in early February, citing bureaucratic obstacles, while reaffirming Georgia’s pro-European stance despite concerns that the current ruling party is leading the country toward Russia and undermining democratic principles. Political turbulence in Georgia following... MORE

Executive Summary: Abkhazia, a break-away territory controlled by Russia, is preparing for decisive presidential elections on February 15, which could determine the future trajectory of the separatist region’s foreign policy and relationship to Moscow. Russia is supporting pro-Moscow candidate, former vice-president Badra Gunba, in the... MORE

Executive Summary: The Georgian government, led by the Georgian Dream party, is implementing stringent new media censoring laws that ban foreign financing and introduce regulations for journalistic ethics. Critics fear Georgia's hard-won free media is endangered as these moves signal the erosion of democratic values... MORE