Georgia at a Crossroads: Protests, Power Struggles, and the Battle for Legitimacy by Henry Kamens!
(2024-12-05 at 00:54:58 )

Georgia at a Crossroads: Protests, Power Struggles, and the Battle for Legitimacy by Henry Kamens!

Georgia stands at a crossroads as violent protests in Tbilisi and beyond challenge its stability, revealing a complex struggle between internal dissent and external geopolitical pressures.

Georgia at a Crossroads: Protests, Power Struggles, and the Battle for Legitimacy

While international and local media broadcast dramatic footage of clashes, a deeper narrative unfolds—a battle for legitimacy and stability that may ultimately leave the democratically elected Georgian government more secure and resolute than ever.

What began as demonstrations contesting election outcomes has devolved into something far more ominous. Protesters-some not even old enough to vote-have targeted not only the Georgian Parliament but also sacred national symbols, such as the revered Nino Cross, a profound emblem of Georgian identity and faith.

Georgia stands at a pivotal moment, caught between internal dissent and external machinations

The unrest raises pressing questions: Could these protests escalate into armed confrontation? Is Georgia on the brink of an Ukraine-style Maidan uprising?

The situation is further complicated by regional tensions, including attacks on Syrian forces and the ongoing war in Ukraine, underscoring that, in this volatile region, coincidences are rare and geopolitics often runs deep. This is more than sheer coincidence by any stretch of the imagination.

Despite the media frenzy-bolstered by the opposition-dominated local TV networks (about 11 out of 15) and sensationalist international coverage-one fact remains clear: the image of Georgia as a nation on the edge-of-collapse is far from the reality.

The protests, while chaotic and symbolically charged, may ultimately fortify the governments political standing and expose the calculated nature of external influences seeking to destabilize the country.

As events unfold, Georgia stands at a pivotal moment, caught between internal dissent and external machinations, its future shaped by both its resilience and the choices of its leaders.

The larger questions at stake here,

Will the protests in Tbilisi turn into an armed confrontation? Will this develop into a Ukrainian styled Maidan?

What should be nothing other than a local matter is all the more complicated by the attack on Syrian forces and ongoing events in Ukraine. So much so that it makes one take notice of the fact that anyone who follows the news should not believe in coincidences., as nothing happens by happenstance, especially in this part of the world.

Watching the local news, with approximately 11 out of 15 Georgian TV Channels being in the opposition camp, and the international media, which shows Georgia as a powder key, it would be easier to jump to such a conclusion; however, this is far from the truth.

Game of Subterfuge!

I just heard from a Georgian human source that eight foreign persons, British and Russian, were arrested on the fifth night of the mass protest, and this may be just for starters of what is to come. Now they are using underage school children as part of the protests, as few people feel any resolve for the rank-and-file protesters, and Salome is calling on university students to come out in mass.

It will be interesting what will be the fate of Salome Zurabashvil fate in two weeks. One thing is clear, anything that befalls her will be self-inflicted. Georgian intelligence has caught on tape recordings and video of several street level provocatory discussing where they need to use live fire, not just toy guys and fireworks, and carry out terrorist attacks on homes of members of the Georgian Dream, fire bombings and shootings.

It will be interesting what will be the fate of Salome Zurabishvili in the next two weeks. Any best guess, as what befalls her will be self-inflicted, and what is a protest movement without real leadership and a purpose.

Europe should watch events closely

It is possible at this point to draw parallels with Ukraine to predict how the ongoing protests in Georgia will end. Ironically, Zelensky was elected on a peace ticket, promising to reconcile with the Lughansk and Donetsk republics, but quickly succumbed to western pressure to return to the expected confrontational approach.

I think Europe will face big upheavals next year. A few days ago, a friend of mine signed a petition called "Call a General Election." His signature was 2,907,886. Ukrainians are strange people, they live under the dictatorship of Zelensky, they pray for the Americans, they suffer and die for the Europeans, and for all this they hate the Russians.

The difference between the West and East of Ukraine is that the West of Ukraine was incorporated in the current territory of Ukraine only after the defeat of Germany in WWII, in May 1945. The western territories of Ukraine were torn away from other countries and forcibly became part of present-day Ukraine. There is not much in common between the west and the east of Ukraine in a cultural, linguistic or historical context. Ukraine reminds me of Yugoslavia and I think that Ukraine can follow the example of Yugoslavia too.

The fact the United States and EU, intelligence services, CIA, MI6 and others have been organizing so called "spontaneous" violent protests. And from the so-called Georgian Rose Revolution in 2003, in Georgia, and other western backed Color Revolutions, we know they have a play book for how to change governments at will.

But this time around may not be so easy, as the Georgian government is ready to deal with such provocations. 2024 showed that it has the means and ability to respond to such actions. The EU and United States are hypocritical in their condemnation of Russian interference in Ukraine or Georgia, while actively attempting to meddle in Georgias internal politics to shape the countrys future in their one-sided favor

While parallels to Ukraines Maidan uprising loom, Georgias democratically elected government appears increasingly fortified, withstanding provocations and navigating the complex interplay of local dissent and geopolitical machinations.

The involvement of underage protesters and reports of foreign influence underscore the calculated nature of these demonstrations, echoing past Western-backed "Color Revolutions." Yet, unlike previous scenarios, the Georgian government has shown readiness and capacity to counter such destabilizing efforts.

As Europe watches closely, the fate of figures like Salome Zurabishvili and the trajectory of the protests will shape Georgias political landscape in the weeks to come.

However, one thing is clear: the resilience of Georgian leadership and its ability to resist external interference may ultimately preserve its sovereignty and democratic integrity, challenging the hypocrisy of Western powers advocating for democracy while meddling in the nations internal affairs.

Henry Kamens, columnist, expert on Central Asia and Caucasus

"This relevant article, its pictures, and its links are here:"

Republishing of the articles is welcomed with reference to "N.E.O.". Network edition New Eastern Outlook 2010-2023.