Georgia–US Relations

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Irakli Kobakhidze presenting Georgian Dream’s election programme. Photo: Georgian Dream/Facebook.

2024 Georgian Parliamentary Elections

Georgian Dream promises ‘pragmatic policy’ with Russia in election programme

by OC Media

•3 min read

Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has presented Georgian Dream’s election programme, vowing to adopt a ‘pragmatic policy’ towards Russia and to create 200,000 jobs and increase average salaries by 2028. Kobakhidze presented his party’s four-year plan on Monday evening, less than three weeks ahead of 26 October’s parliamentary elections. In an hour-long speech, he said the programme included ‘about 20% of the activities that will be implemented in the next four years’ and ‘due to the lack o

2024 Georgian Parliamentary Elections

Western criticism intensifies as Russia continues to voice support for Georgian Dream

by Shota Kincha

•4 min read

As the Georgian parliamentary elections creep ever closer, Western criticism against the ruling Georgian Dream party has intensified. In response, Georgian Dream has reiterated its threats to ban opposition groups and its allegations that the US and the EU are planning a coup. Less than three weeks before the parliamentary elections in Georgia, the ruling party has accused the US Embassy of interfering in the election process. The allegations follow a series of critical posts on the US Embassy

Bidzina Ivanishvili. Photo: Mariam Nikuradze/OC Media.

2024 Georgian Parliamentary Elections

Georgian officials brace for further sanctions

by OC Media

•2 min read

The threat of further Western sanctions against Georgian officials over democratic backsliding in the country has led to reports of alarm within the ruling Georgian Dream party, weeks ahead of parliamentary elections. On Wednesday, TV channel Formula reported citing confidential sources that bank accounts abroad belonging to the children of Georgian Dream founder and billionaire, Bidzina Ivanishvili, had been limited. TV station Mtavari Arkhi also reported on Wednesday that Ivanishvili h

US President Joe Biden and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Illustration by OC Media.

Freedom of Assembly

Biden snubs Georgian PM Kobakhidze by revoking UN reception invite

by OC Media

•2 min read

The White House has disinvited Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and Georgia’s delegation from a reception for world leaders on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. On Wednesday, the US Embassy in Georgia told local media that Kobakhidze’s invitation to the reception was revoked due to his government’s anti-democratic actions, misinformation, and negative rhetoric about the US and the West. Voice of America reported the snub on Tuesday, citing anonymous sources including a se

Bidzina Ivanishvili

US sanctions against Ivanishvili ‘ready for implementation’

by Shota Kincha

•2 min read

The US government has reportedly prepared a package of sanctions against Georgian Dream founder Bidzina Ivanishvili which they are considering imposing ‘in the near future’. Voice of America reported the news on Friday, citing anonymous US government sources as saying that the US Treasury and State Departments had been leading the development of the package. While previously only discussed, the package is now reportedly ‘ready for implementation’ pending a political decision. The sources did

US Ambassador Robin Dunnigan and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze. Official image.

Alt Info

Kobakhidze says Washington was ‘influenced’ to sanction Georgian nationals

by OC Media

•3 min read

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has said that he believed US President Joe Biden’s administration was ‘influenced’ by ‘certain forces’ to impose sanctions on Georgian nationals, suggesting that American institutions needed ‘de-oligharchisation’. In a press briefing on Tuesday, Kobakhidze said that the decision to impose financial sanctions on four Georgian nationals, in addition to travel restrictions on over 60 others, was ‘frivolous and very sad’. He further suggested that the

Alt Info

US sanctions four Georgian security officials and far-right extremists for ‘serious human rights abuses’

by OC Media

•2 min read

Washington has imposed financial sanctions against security officials and the leaders of Alt Info for undermining and suppressing the freedom of peaceful assembly in Georgia. They have additionally imposed travel sanctions on 60 others, including senior government officials. On Monday, the US Department of Treasury sanctioned the chief of the Interior Ministry’s Special Task Department, Zviad (Khareba) Kharazishvili, and his deputy Mileri Lagazauri. They also sanctioned the extremist far-ri