Tag "Georgia"
Recovery from Covid-19 in Eastern Partnership Countries Faces Political Hurdles
With the support of the European Union, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) announced in December a scaling up of its financial support for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the EU’s Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries. However, potential for economic recovery from the pandemic in the region is undermined by EU marginalisation of issues in corruption and Russian subversion capabilities. It is unlikely that sustainable private-sector growth will be realised until the EBRD fiscal approach is complemented with a strategy to address these political challenges.
Iran’s waning involvement in the South Caucasus
With the JCPOA finalized in 2015, Iran seemed to finally build on its potential to become a shaping actor in the South Caucasus. Yet the scrapping of the JCPOA in April 2018 threatens to disillusion those who were optimistic about new trading and investment opportunities. Under growing pressure, the region seems to be neglected again by Tehran.
Chapter Review: Russian military reform and lessons learned in Ukraine
In a chapter of the Jamestown Foundation’s upcoming book on Russia’s Armed Forces, Roger McDermott argues that the ongoing process of military reform in Russia is closely informed by the conflict in eastern Ukraine. While the Kremlin still denies its direct involvement, McDermott argues that publicly available information is sufficient to decipher the lessons that Russia’s Armed Forces have learned in Donbass.
The EU’s Eastern partnership summit: pragmatism and realpolitik
On 24 November, the 5th Eastern Partnership (EaP) Summit took place in Brussels. Security issues dominated the summit, while EU membership was off the table.
The Week Ahead
UK enters Brexit talks as government coalition talks continue. Special election spotlight in U.S. state of Georgia as Trump’s Russia investigation builds. China stocks may enter broader global market. All in The
Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan: future EU members?
The European Union has eyed the South Caucasus for the past two decades. After successful expansion to parts of Eastern Europe, GRI asks: could the South Caucasus could be next?
The Moldovan election: A quiet country at an important crossroads
Europe is full of loud stories, and yet beneath the noise there are first time democratic elections shifting the tide of East-West relations, like Moldova.
Georgia’s foreign minister Mikheil Janelidze: A diplomat with vision
Foreign Minister Janelidze has shown the diplomatic vision necessary for a country torn between promising ties with the West and an easily agitated Russia.
South Ossetia and Abkhazia face heightened political risk
Political unrest in Abkhazia and the looming potential of a national referendum in South Ossetia increase the risk outlook for the two breakaway republics. However, the regions are likely to
Shifts in global terror pose threats to Caspian energy investment
With the emergence of new global terror trends, the potential for terror-based disruptions to the oil industry in Central Asia and the Caucuses is causing concern.
