The author recommends that President Biden provide military support to Georgia in its confrontation with Russia. The long-time unofficial ruler of Georgia, billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, no longer arouses suspicion in the author, although it was previously fashionable to recall that Ivanishvili made his capital in Russia. The author does not really want Georgia to be happy, Georgia is just a springboard for deterring the Russian Federation: "Georgia's rapprochement with NATO, with the firm support of Washington, will be a deterrent to Russia's desire to strengthen its power." With the help of Georgia, the author hopes to alienate Yerevan and Baku from Russia.
In his first major foreign policy speech, President Biden called for restoring America's alliances and strengthening American diplomacy. Biden also said that he would fight back against Russia's external aggression and internal authoritarianism. First, it should demonstrate its new approach in Georgia, which is a key link in the strategically important Black Sea region. Georgia was the first victim of Russian President Vladimir Putin's attack on the national independence and democratic development of neighboring states, and Moscow's aggression against this close ally of the United States continues to this day.
Georgia's statehood and democracy represent an alternative regional model to Putin's autocracy and attempts to limit the sovereignty of neighboring states. Since the military takeover of 20% of Georgian territory in August 2008, the Kremlin has used numerous subversive means to destabilize the government in Tbilisi, ranging from disinformation and corruption to cyber attacks and threats of armed attack.
Georgian democracy was strengthened during the general elections in October 2020. Washington and Brussels helped transform it into a parliamentary democracy. They helped forge a cross-party agreement on a phased transition to a proportional electoral system that better represents voters.
Demonstrating the new successes of democracy, former Prime Minister and founder of the ruling Georgian Dream party Bidzina Ivanishvili announced his retirement from politics. This billionaire and former leader of the party promised to transfer most of his fortune (about five billion dollars) to charitable foundations and focus on charitable activities.
When Ivanishvili was in politics, Georgia moved closer to Western institutions, signing an association agreement with the European Union, prioritizing NATO membership, and deepening security cooperation with the United States. Georgia has also begun to implement democratic reforms, ranking with some EU members on such indicators as the rule of law and the fight against corruption. Ivanishvili's departure from politics despite the electoral victory of the "Georgian Dream" may set an important precedent at a time when it is very difficult for some state leaders to give up power even after the defeat in the elections.
In December 2020, the National Democratic Institute conducted a sociological survey that showed that 80% of Georgian citizens are in favor of the country's membership in the EU, and 74% are in favor of Georgia's joining NATO. Over the past 10 years, supporters of joining the North Atlantic Alliance have increased by 12%. EU and NATO membership are enshrined in the Georgian Constitution as a guiding goal, and the country's government has set itself the ambitious goal of applying for EU membership by 2024.
The desire for integration with the West is promoted by the endless threats from Moscow. Power over Georgia would give Russia the opportunity to claim regional dominance in the Transcaucasus and the Black Sea region, threaten important energy and trade links between Europe and Asia, and significantly limit American and European influence.
Georgia's strategic partnership with the United States, formed in 2009, is holding back Russia's aggressive aspirations. The Trump administration has demonstrated the continuity of the US policy towards Georgia, strengthening the country's defense capability through the supply of military equipment, in particular, the Javelin ATGM. During the Senate confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said that the door to Georgia's membership in NATO is still open. Georgia now needs help building an effective naval force to protect its coast, building up the U.S. military presence, and a clearer roadmap for the country's admission to NATO.
Moscow in November 2020 increased its military presence in the South Caucasus after a short war between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the occupied Azerbaijani territories. By deploying its supposedly peacekeeping troops to Azerbaijan, Moscow has effectively turned much of the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh into a Russian protectorate. Russia already has two military bases in Armenia, and it continues to militarize the occupied Georgian territories.
The strategic isolation of Georgia will strengthen Russia's desire to use the Black Sea as a springboard for the demonstration and use of its military power in the Balkans, the eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East. The active build-up of the Russian military group on the Black Sea is also intended to establish control over the most important sea routes, maritime economic zones and the transit of energy resources to Europe. Georgia's rapprochement with NATO, with the firm support of Washington, will be a deterrent to Russia's desire to strengthen its power and influence, and will send a signal to Armenia and Azerbaijan that they, too, can free themselves from Moscow's stranglehold.
Janusz Bugajski)
