Talk Georgia

Welcome to a new episode of Talk Georgia! Ambassador Giorgi Badridze, now a Senior Fellow at the Rondeli Foundation is joining me to explore:

• What does it mean to serve 25 years in diplomacy under three very different presidents?

• Can Georgia’s current diplomats serve both oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili and the national interest?

• The post–Cold War world order has shifted — what’s next for Georgia?

• Russian vs. Georgian authoritarianism: what’s the difference?

• Why do Western allies continue to support Georgia as it slides toward autocracy?

And much more…

Welcome to a new episode of Talk Georgia!
Ambassador Giorgi Badridze, now a Senior Fellow at the Rondeli Foundation is joining me to explore:

• What does it mean to serve 25 years in diplomacy under three very different presidents?

• Can Georgia’s current diplomats serve both oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili and the national interest?

• The post–Cold War world order has shifted — what’s next for Georgia?

• Russian vs. Georgian authoritarianism: what’s the difference?

• Why do Western allies continue to support Georgia as it slides toward autocracy?

And much more…

This is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Nodar Karshiladze and I answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics.

Questions Answered:

Lily

What was the real purpose of Kobakhidze’s letter to President Trump and Vice President Vance? Was it a desperate move by Ivanishvili to provoke a response from the new U.S. administration—or just a PR stunt by the ruling party to blind supporters after failed attempts to mend ties with the U.S.?

Ramaz

Could you explain what the “deep state” actually means, or is—and has anyone besides Ivanishvili ever claimed to have defeated it?

Please send you questions for the next show to [email protected]

This is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Nodar Karshiladze and I answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics.

Questions Answered:LilyWhat was the real purpose of Kobakhidze’s letter to President Trump and Vice President Vance? Was it a desperate move by Ivanishvili to provoke a response from the new U.S. administration—or just a PR stunt by the ruling party to blind supporters after failed attempts to mend ties with the U.S.?Ramaz Could you explain what the “deep state” actually means, or is—and has anyone besides Ivanishvili ever claimed to have defeated it? Please send you questions for the next show to [email protected]

Talk Georgia brings you weekly news updates on the key political and regional developments in Georgia. New episodes drop every Saturday at 22:00. Don’t miss out!

This is a new episode of Talk Georgia! Leader of Freedom Square Party Levan Tsutskiridze and I will be discussing:

What’s Behind Irakli Kobakhidze’s Letter to Donald Trump?

Why Did the Opposition Fail to Unite?

Has the Opposition’s Mandate Given by Georgian People Expired?

What Will It Take to Save Democracy — and Keep Georgia on the European Path?

And much more…

This is a new episode of Talk Georgia! Leader of Freedom Square Party Levan Tsutskiridze and I will be discussing:

What’s Behind Irakli Kobakhidze’s Letter to Donald Trump?

Why Did the Opposition Fail to Unite?

Has the Opposition’s Mandate Given by Georgian People Expired?

What Will It Take to Save Democracy — and Keep Georgia on the European Path?

And much more…

Talk Georgia brings you weekly news updates on the key political and regional developments in Georgia. New episodes drop every Monday at 22:00. Don’t miss out!

This is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Nodar Karshiladze and answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics.

Questions Answered:

John

Can you explain what is actually happening within Georgian Dream? Is Irakli Kobakhidze emerging as a political “superman,” with Ivanishvili retreating into the shadows — or is Kobakhidze being set up as the ultimate scapegoat by Ivanishvili?

Levan

It’s clear that Georgian Dream has turned away from the EU, and Brussels won’t negotiate accession with autocrats. But was EU membership ever truly within reach for Georgia — or has it always been a convenient illusion?IrinaIf Trump and Putin strike a deal and divide Ukraine, what happens to Georgia? Are Abkhazia and South Ossetia lost forever? And in that scenario, isn’t Georgian Dream the safer bet, since they’re already aligned with Moscow?

Miranda

What are the chances Georgian Dream could manage relations with the U.S. the way Azerbaijan does — where Ivanishvili maintains a dictatorship, yet the U.S. continues to use Georgia as a transit hub and strategic partner?

Please send you questions for the next show to [email protected]

This is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Nodar Karshiladze and I answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics.

Questions Answered:

John

Can you explain what is actually happening within Georgian Dream? Is Irakli Kobakhidze emerging as a political “superman,” with Ivanishvili retreating into the shadows — or is Kobakhidze being set up as the ultimate scapegoat by Ivanishvili?

Levan

It’s clear that Georgian Dream has turned away from the EU, and Brussels won’t negotiate accession with autocrats. But was EU membership ever truly within reach for Georgia — or has it always been a convenient illusion?

Irina

If Trump and Putin strike a deal and divide Ukraine, what happens to Georgia? Are Abkhazia and South Ossetia lost forever? And in that scenario, isn’t Georgian Dream the safer bet, since they’re already aligned with Moscow?

Miranda

What are the chances Georgian Dream could manage relations with the U.S. the way Azerbaijan does — where Ivanishvili maintains a dictatorship, yet the U.S. continues to use Georgia as a transit hub and strategic partner?

Please send you questions for the next show to [email protected]