Georgia's Dangerous Geopolitical Gamble with Russia: Implications for the Future

Abstract

This article examines Georgia's foreign policy trajectory following the recent parliamentary elections and its implications for Russian-Georgian relations. It delves into the challenges Georgia faces as a small state strategically positioned between the European Union and Russia, navigating the delicate balance between its aspirations for Euro-Atlantic integration and the reality of Russian influence. The analysis highlights how domestic political developments, including the lack of internal and external legitimacy of a one-party-dominated parliament, have weakened Georgia's socio-economic and institutional resilience. These vulnerabilities leave the country susceptible to external pressures, particularly from Moscow, which seeks to leverage divisions within Georgian society to reinforce its influence.