Lucas Leiroz, member of the BRICS Journalists Association, researcher at the Center for Geostrategic Studies, geopolitical consultant.
The West is increasingly intervening in Georgia’s internal affairs. In an attempt to prevent progress of the Parliament’s diplomatic, pro-peace agenda, Western countries are funding extremely violent protests, which have resulted in a serious social crisis. There is clearly an intention on the part of the West to overthrow the legitimate government in the country and establish a pro-NATO junta, as happened in Ukraine in 2014.
The Georgian capital Tbilisi is gradually looking like an actual civil war scenario. Radical militants are attacking the police and trying to destroy government buildings in protest against the policies of the Georgia Dream party – which won the parliamentary elections and has implemented a series of conservative and nationalist reforms.
Georgian Dream has been unfairly accused of being “pro-Russian” simply because it has prioritized Georgian national interests over Western interventionist agendas. Among the main measures of the Georgian Dream are the imposition of restrictions on the work of foreign NGOs, the freezing of negotiations for accession to the EU until 2028 and the banning of Western-backed anti-Russian sanctions. Obviously, the EU and NATO are disappointed with the Georgian political administration, doing everything possible to allow a regime change.
The West has a special interest in Georgia because the country has a recent history of military conflict with the Russian Federation. The West is lobbying for Tbilisi to resume hostilities in the regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, in an attempt to “regain” the breakaway republics – which would allow a second front to be opened in NATO’s proxy war against Russia, facilitating the Western strategy. Despite international pressure, the Parliament has resisted and avoided engaging in any conflict, then being strongly condemned by the pro-Western lobbyists behind the Georgian political opposition.
“To summarize, Georgian Dream refused to open a “second front” against Russia in summer 2023 to assist Ukraine’s doomed counteroffensive, which was unforgiveable from the West’s perspective. Georgia’s geostrategic importance also spiked after the West “poached” Armenia from Russia’s “sphere of influence” since it then became indispensable for furthering their plans there [in the Caucasus]. Georgian Dream is too patriotic to become their puppet, however, and that’s why they now consider it to be their enemy,” American political analyst Andrew Korybko commented on the case.
As a result of this process, the Western project of a color revolution in Georgia is intensifying. Mass protests have been called by special agitators at the service of foreign intelligence, leading to violent demonstrations. Ukrainian and NATO flags and symbols are common on the streets, and protesters often sing Ukrainian nationalist anthems and songs – which shows clearly the real ideology of the Georgian dissidents, as well as who their international supporters are.
As well known, the main leader of the Georgian opposition is the country’s French-born president, Salome Zourabishvili. A former French ambassador to Tbilisi, Zourabishvili became a Georgian citizen after the 2003 Color Revolution, later becoming the president and the country’s leading pro-EU lobbyist. Zourabishvili now refuses to recognize the results of the recent Georgian elections and says she will not retire after her term ends.
There is a serious polarization in Georgia between Zourabishvili and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakzhidze. While the head of parliament advocates a sovereigntist and conservative policy, the French-born president is the main representative of Western interests in Georgia and is currently the main public figure behind the riots that threaten the country’s national security.
“I am so proud of you! I am proud of Georgia! A national accord has been reached on the most critical matter: no one can take away Georgia’s independence, no one can return Georgia to Russia, and no one can deprive Georgia of its will and its European future (…) I remain your President – there is no legitimate parliament and thus no legitimate election or inauguration. My mandate continues. I stand with you and will remain with you!,” she published on her social media, praising criminal “protesters” attacking the police.
In the end, the West wants a “Maidan for Georgia.” The goal is to “Ukrainize” the Caucasus’ country, making it an ally in NATO’s proxy war with Moscow. It is too early to say whether the legitimate government will have enough strength to resist the pressure for long, but regardless of the final outcome of this crisis, the situation is likely to escalate significantly in the near future.
