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Georgia (country)

Georgia (country)
commentary
Georgia: From COVID-19 to a Critical Test of Democracy
Kenneth Yalowitz, John Tefft, William Courtney @courtneywmh
Sep 23, 2020
The National Interest
Georgia has successfully dealt with the COVID-19 outbreak but now must meet the task of conducting free, fair, and transparent parliamentary elections on October 31 and dealing with the economic impacts of the pandemic.
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Georgia (country)
commentary
Whither Georgia?
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
Dec 9, 2019
The National Interest
Georgia's status as a post-Soviet democratic leader is under challenge. A flawed presidential election, use of force against protesters, and political manipulations have strained public confidence and brought mounting public protests. Domestic calm may hinge on improving political dialogue and conducting free and fair parliamentary elections next year.
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commentary
How Can the United States Support Democracies in the Former USSR?
Kenneth Yalowitz, William Courtney @courtneywmh
Sep 16, 2019
The National Interest
The West has only modest capacity to influence circumstances in most post-Soviet countries. In Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia and Moldova, however, the West has the potential to make a real difference by supporting civil society and improved governance.
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commentary
Democratic Bright Spots in the South Caucasus
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
Jan 23, 2019
The National Interest
Democratic bright spots are emerging in Armenia and Georgia despite their being wedged between less-than-democratic regional powers. Both countries seek to consolidate democratic gains and overcome poverty while managing daunting challenges from Russia and separatist conflicts. While pursuing these priorities, the countries deserve continued, strong Western support.
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Georgia (country)
commentary
Where Is Georgia Headed?
William Courtney @courtneywmh, Daniel Fried, Kenneth Yalowitz
May 23, 2018
The National Interest
Since its renewed independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia has made steady progress toward full European and Euro-Atlantic integration, and stabilized relations with Russia. Continuing on this path is a key test of whether it is still possible for reforming former Soviet countries to integrate into the Euro-Atlantic community.
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Georgia (country)
commentary
Georgia Wants Reassurance That America Will Help Deter Russia
Kenneth Yalowitz, William Courtney @courtneywmh
May 25, 2017
The National Interest
Georgia is an emerging democracy in a difficult region with mainly authoritarian regimes nearby. To overcome severe challenges from Russian military occupation and economic weakness, it deserves sustained Western support.
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Russia
commentary
The West Must Do Far More to Keep Putin at Bay
William Courtney @courtneywmh, David A. Shlapak
Aug 27, 2016
Newsweek
Russia is more willing than the West to use military power, even though it has less of it. The West should reconsider whether its efforts to deter Russian military interference are enough.
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Georgia (country)
commentary
Georgia's Delicate Foreign Policy Dance
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
May 25, 2016
The National Interest
Given the dangerous environment and the small size and relative military weakness of Georgia, it wisely pursues a good neighbor policy in all directions. Still, the country must improve its defense posture and for Georgia, the main security balancer is the United States.
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Nation Building
commentary
Georgia Needs Support from the U.S. and the West
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
Jan 5, 2016
U.S. News & World Report
Georgia is poised to make big changes to reinvigorate its democracy and economy, but it needs support to deter risks and advance progress. With one-fifth of its territory occupied by Russia and facing risks every day, Georgia needs more Western aid, including military training, technology, and defensive arms.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
It's Time to Reboot Our Relationship with Russia and Iran's Neighbors
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Richard Kauzlarich
Jul 28, 2015
Newsweek
In implementing the prospective Iran nuclear agreement, the West cannot forget its engagement in the vulnerable South Caucasus. The Iran deal changes the equation for all three countries and perhaps opens new opportunities.
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Russia
commentary
The Next European Flashpoints
Ian Bond, Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
Feb 17, 2015
The National Interest
The West's most pressing task is to help Ukraine defend itself and survive economic catastrophe. But the West also needs a broader strategy to discourage future Russian coercion of neighbors, help them protect themselves, and counter President Vladimir Putin's false narrative about Western intentions and lack of political will.
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Georgia (country)
commentary
Rough and Tumble of Building Democracy in Georgia
Kenneth Yalowitz, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Denis Corboy
Nov 26, 2014
The Woodrow Wilson Center
Leadership squabbles and instincts for retribution are testing Georgia's democracy. If leaders do not come together to strengthen the political system and governance, Georgia's future could hang in the balance.
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Ukraine
commentary
Hitting the Pause Button: The 'Frozen Conflict' Dilemma in Ukraine
Denis Corboy, William Courtney @courtneywmh, Kenneth Yalowitz
Nov 7, 2014
The National Interest
Frozen conflicts describe places where fighting took place and has come to an end, yet no overall political solution, such as a peace treaty, has been reached. Ukraine is likely to host such conflicts for some time, in Crimea and the Donbas region. Georgia's experience offers lessons for Ukraine.
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International Diplomacy
commentary
Four Years on, Hard Feelings Linger Between Russia and Georgia
Olga Oliker
Aug 9, 2012
The RAND Blog and GlobalSecurity.org
A normalized Georgia-Russia relationship remains in Georgia's, Russia's, and America's interest. Going forward, the U.S. can play a role by calibrating its own interaction with both states to promote improved relations between them, and avoid exacerbating tensions, writes Olga Oliker.
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Nuclear Weapons and Warfare
commentary
Georgia Dispute Derails Bid to Stop Nuke Terrorism
Brian Michael Jenkins @BrianMJenkins
Oct 6, 2008
Providence Journal
Given American concerns about nuclear proliferation and the possibility of nuclear terrorism, tying U.S.-Russian cooperation in the nuclear domain with the current Russia-Georgia quarrel may amount to shooting ourselves in the foot in a misguided attempt to punish Russia, writes Brian Michael Jenkins.
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Russia
commentary
A 'Europe Whole and Free and at Peace'
Robert E. Hunter
Sep 9, 2008
Providence Journal
Events in Georgia, "half way around the world" as President Bush reminded us, can and will have broader repercussions, most particularly on Russia's relations with Europe and especially the United States, far beyond anything at stake in the Caucasus, writes Robert E. Hunter.
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Russia
commentary
Ukraine: The Next Crisis?
F. Stephen Larrabee
Sep 7, 2008
Project Syndicate
The Russian invasion of Georgia has sent shock waves throughout the West and the former Soviet space - especially Ukraine. Indeed, Ukraine could be the next potential crisis, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
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Russia
commentary
Georgia: Breakdown of Vision the West Had for a New Europe
Robert E. Hunter
Aug 28, 2008
European Affairs
Since the Russian Federation sent tanks, troops, and planes slicing into Georgia, commentators have reached for a variety of historic parallels.... None of these supposed parallels catches the current situation.
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Russia
commentary
Kosovo and South Ossetia More Different Than Similar
Olga Oliker
Aug 25, 2008
RFERL.org, the website of Radio Free Europe and Radio Liberty
The Russian government has long highlighted the similarities between Kosovo and South Ossetia.... The two situations, however, while similar on some points, are fundamentally different where it matters: in their implications for the future of international relations, writes Olga Oliker.
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North Atlantic Treaty Organization
commentary
Georgia on Their Mind
F. Stephen Larrabee
Mar 27, 2008
International Herald Tribune
As NATO heads toward its summit meeting in Bucharest on April 3-4, the question of NATO enlargement — especially whether to give Membership Action Plans, or MAPs, to Georgia and Ukraine — has re-emerged as a contentious issue, writes F. Stephen Larrabee.
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commentary
Outside View: Russia's Caucasus Gambit
F. Stephen Larrabee
Nov 22, 2004
United Press International
Published commentary by RAND staff.
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