James Jay Carafano, a senior counselor to the president of The Heritage Foundation and an influential national-security voice in Washington, says the United States is ready to engage with Georgia — but Washington will not fix Georgia’s domestic politics or build democracy on Georgia’s behalf.
In this interview with Independence Avenue Media, Carafano discusses President Donald Trump’s pragmatic approach to Georgia, Georgian Dream’s anti-Western rhetoric, Russian and Chinese influence, the Middle Corridor, Black Sea security, and what Tbilisi would need to put on the table to rebuild ties with Washington.
Topics discussed:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s comments on Georgia and Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s denial
Why Carafano says Georgia wants a “get out of jail free card”
Trump’s approach: outcomes, deliverables, and “not nice words”
Why Washington will not “chase” the Georgian government
Why the U.S. will not build democracy in Georgia or fix its politics
Why Carafano says Washington will not fund empty political activity
Georgian Dream’s anti-Western strategy and ties with Russia and China
Why China will not “stick its neck out” for Georgia
The Middle Corridor, Black Sea security, and Georgia’s strategic role
Sanctions on Bidzina Ivanishvili and what it would take to change course
