#StratComPodcast / S5E1: The Georgian Stand: Navigating Democracy Under Russia’s Shadow (with Batu Kutelia)

Nestled at the strategically crucial crossroads where Europe converges with Asia, over centuries Georgia has found itself caught in the midst of power struggles. Since its emergence as an independent state in 1991 following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Georgia has once again become a focal point of competing interests, and it's ambitions to join NATO and the EU have added to regional tensions that were further heightened by Moscow's backing of the separatist regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia, culminating in a war in 2008. This historical backdrop sets the stage for the ongoing complex dynamics in the region.

In this compelling episode of the #StratComPodcast, we are joined by the former Ambassador and Head of Georgia's Foreign Intelligence Service, now Senior Fellow at the FPRI’s Eurasia Program - Batu Kutelia.

Ambassador Kutelia sheds light on Georgia's enduring struggle for freedom and sovereignty in the face of relentless Russian threats. We delve into the complexities of the region's geopolitical landscape and explore the parallels between Russia's imperialistic behavior in Georgia, Ukraine, and on the international stage in general.