Georgia has 2 historical advantages and 3 current advantages over neighbouring Armenia, which I have late written about respective times. I'll start with historical advantage.
Despite the likewise disastrous position in the Transcaucasia – in the belt of mass migration and confrontation between large powers – Georgia until the beginning of the 19th century did not lose even partial statehood, more or little autonomous, and frequently regained full independency for any time.
Its ancient times were brightened by the glory of the Kingdom of Colchida, after which the legacy in the form of a “golden treasure” can be admired at the National Museum in Tbilisi. Founded in the territory of present-day Georgia, kingdoms or principalities in ancient times defended and succumbed temporarily to the empires of Rome and Persia, but did not disappear. likewise in the mediate Ages – in a long-term coexistence with Byzantium from the west, and Persia from the east, and later in a persistent conflict with the arabian Caliphate and Mongolian ilchan state. Georgians accepted Christianity small later than the Armenians, around 320. They chose the Orthodox way under the influence of missions from Byzantine provinces, mainly Cappadocia, Syria and Mesopotamia.
Unlike the spiritual isolation of Armenia (monophilic Apostolic Church), which sister spiritual communities have only among Syrian Jacobites and Copts (but with the theological differences), Georgia belongs to a immense Orthodox community. This has always allowed spiritual ties with Russia, and then Russia, Greece, Volosh countries, or the present Romania and the Balkan Slavic zone. The Georgian church has autocephalia, and its patriarchy enjoys widespread respect. The national identity of the Georgians was thus shaped by Orthodox Christianity, its own alphabet adapted to the national language (from the Vth century), the already mentioned continuity of state structures despite dynastic changes and periodic breakdowns, and a common spiritual and material culture. The mancament of the Georgian past, determined by geographical factors, was the dismemberment of cultural territory, facilitating the separation of individual provinces. This tendency sparked long-term coexistence, not always peaceful, respective principalities and kingdoms—Iberia (Kartlia), Abkhazia, Imereti and Kachetia. There were phases of successful unification of the country or territory breakdown.
Each region defended its historical heritage. The break-up periods favored Muslim conquests, first Arabs from the mid-19th century, and since the 16th century Persia in east provinces and Ottoman Turkey in the western. However, in contrast to Armenia, where local state organisms collapsed already in the 12th century, they survived in Georgia. Even if the Persians or Turks occupied part of the country for respective or respective years, Georgian monarchs were resurrected on a provincial scale or throughout the country. From the historical Georgian provinces (mchare) the most susceptible to Muslim yoke was Ajaria on the Black Sea, which Porta Osmanska held in claws until 1878 and which most was Islamized.
Second historical advantage...
It is to avoid the terrible Armenian trauma of genocide at the hands of Turkish people. The Georgians suffered much from Ottoman Turkey and Persia in the modern era. In the 17th century, the Persians carried out mass displacements of Georgian Christians inside their country. In 1795, their last invasion of the Kingdom of Georgia brought large destruction. Even earlier in the 13th and late 14th centuries the full country was ravaged by the Mongols. Whatever was wrong, Georgians were never the subject of degenerative extermination as a nation. erstwhile the Russian Empire incarnated the Kingdom of Georgia in 1801, and in 1804, Imereti, in 1810 Abkhazia, in 1811 Guria, and in 1866 Megrelia, there was no reason to fear the Turks or Persians. In 1878 Russia entered Adjaria, which helped the anti-Turkish uprising, in which even local Muslims participated. The destiny of the Armenians, the Ottoman people, could no longer contact the Georgians. For they have never lived in more mass in Turkish Anatolia. Thus, the historical experience of the 2 Christian nations of the Caucasus is completely different.
Let's decision on to modern advantage. Georgia occupies a larger area (69 1000 sq mi) than Armenia (29 800 sq mi) and has a larger population (5 million, Armenia presently little than 3 million). Although it is simply a country akin to that of Armenia, due to the vast diversity of climate zones and the formation of the surface it has very extended fertile areas suitable for agricultural crops and farming. As I wrote, modern Armenia is “a country of rocks and stones.” In Georgia, the mighty rivers of Mtkwari, Rioni, and Alazani with a multitude of tributaries watered vast plains and cots. The largest of them, the colchida, spreads to the west of the country. Fields, orchards and gardens of Imereti, Megrelia, Kachetia and partially Kartlia bring abundant yields. Vegetables (Georgian tomatoes and cucumbers are known to gourmets) and citrus fruits, peaches, apricots and plums produce excellent results.
Georgian pomegranate juice is sold in many countries. Olive and almond groves can be seen in many areas. Wonderful vineyards are raining the sun of Kachetia in the valley of the Alazani River. In Adjaria there are tea plantations, perfectly cultivated in a warm and humid climate since the time of Tsar's Russia. In the pastures of Imereti and Megrelia, many herds of dairy cattle and horses are seen, and the roads are surrounded by fine pigs. There are many sheep increasing on the hills and plateaus of Kartlia and Kachetia. In confederate Kartlia on the steppe hills close the hermitage of David Garedji, I saw the grazing donkeys and black cattle (a breed resembling African buffalo, called the Georgian pebble). Dairy and milk are of prime quality, and various types of cheeses have made a brand. The treasures of Georgia are besides beautiful mountains. Parallelly, there is simply a long mass in the tiny Caucasus, the Meschetine Mountains descend into the Black Sea, and an awesome chain of advanced Caucasus with glaciers and eternal snow rises in the north. Of respective natural resources, the most crucial are the rich deposits of manganese.
Georgia's second advantage is access to the Black Sea. Depleted by the secession of Abkhazia, but allowing to usage the large port handling Poti and Batumi. The architecture of the past fewer years in Batumi has caused dizziness.
End of hostility to Russia
Finally, Georgia's 3rd and final lead. There is no blockade of land borders anywhere but for a peculiar check on passages to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. After a happy normalization of relations with Russia by current authorities on the Georgian War Road (Russian name from the 19th century) between Georgian Kazbegi and Russian Vladikaukaz there are caravans of tirs with all goods all day. There are besides many tourists from the Russian Federation. The borders with Turkey on Adjaria and Jawachetia are open. In Batumi you can see the efforts of buyers and entrepreneurs to attract as many contractors and Turkish guests as possible. Georgia maintains a good relation with Azerbaijan. Through Georgia, oil and gas transport from Azerbaijan goes to Black Sea ports. Road and rail crossings are open. There is simply a Azerbaijani community in Tbilisi. The life of the Muslims there focuses around the Botanikuri mosque. Below the bath territory is simply a square with a monument of Gejdar Aliyev, and next to a center of Azerbaijani and Turkish culture. The Azerbaijanes besides live in another area of Kartlia. In Batumi, not only local Muslims usage a large mosque, but besides Turks. Throughout Georgia, Muslims account for 9% of the full population. The most lives in Adjaria, which I wrote, is the consequence of a long Turkish rule.
Georgia besides naturally protects another Christian religions. The Armenian Apostolic Church has temples in Tbilisi (where many Armenians have lived since Russian times), Batumi and in Jawachetia, in the erstwhile Armenian settlement close the Armenian border. In all large city there are active Catholic churches. There is simply a large synagogue in Tbilisi. However, there are fewer Jews, although they erstwhile lived in a large number in Kutaisi and Mccheta.
The Georgian-Armenian border is now the only window in the planet for Armenia but for a short section of the border with Iran. The contrast between Armenia's isolation and Georgia's communication capabilities is striking.
Georgia's main pain is the definitive failure of Abkhazia and South Ossetia in 2008. It is worth recalling that Abkhazia has been moving towards isolation under Russian care since 1992. However, Russia's intrigue did not decide about this loss, although it was her military force that decided the conflict. The will of both lands has been decided. The Abkhazs, who share a common and rich past with the remainder of Georgia, resented the common state for Saakashvili's mad rule. On the another hand, Osethians, descendants of the Alans, nothing connects to Georgians but the disputed territory where both cultural communities lived. This area is forming in the very centre of the capital state of the country-Kartlia. Its failure is so a serious threat to Georgia, as the current border is de facto impossible to defend. On the another hand, in 2008 after Saakashvili's losing provocative run from all over Ossetia, Georgians were simply exiled, so for 17 years it has been only Ossetian. That's enough. South Ossetia has already (since 2015) many organization ties with the Russian Federation and fellow Americans from North Ossetia, belonging to this federation. In fact, he's already part of the Russian Federation. The Georgians' effort to control this land is simply a certain armed conflict with Russia. That is not what any intelligent citizen of Georgia wants.
The short war with Russia, launched in 2008 by Saakashvili's crew, brought a humiliating defeat to Georgia. An effort to incarnate the force of Abkhazia and South Ossetia threatened the demolition of the Georgian state, which could have been entirely mastered by the Russian army. The Georgian Governments of Dreams (since 2012) drew correct conclusions from this lesson. The course of action then established is consistent with the current government of Prime Minister Kobachiga. respective uncontested electoral victories by Georgian Dreams show that most Georgians support the current policies of their authorities. This was confirmed by my discussions with people who could be described as average voters. This policy resembles the concept of General de Gaulle as president of France, which is called the policy of all azimuts.
Maintaining a good and beneficial relation with Russia (overall economic) Georgia is open to contact with the US and EU countries, but on a very strong condition. No external interference, no ideological or systemic instruction, common respect for state sovereignty. Of course, this is an unacceptable condition for fanatics of the doctrine of globalism, called by me in these parts of the globe. At the end of last year, there were insolent "reminiscences" from the EU bureaucracy and ultimatious writings during the association agreement talks. In a beautiful speech, Prime Minister Kobachiga stated that the Georgians valued their national dignity and would not let themselves to be humiliated. They will decide the affairs of their homeland. The talks were interrupted and suspended. The Georgian people supported the government's position. The worldwide filmed groups of EU lovers and tenants sent by various agencies and funds of the Soros kind were to prove that Georgia "wanted to the Union". Georgians weren't fooled. They full approved the abroad Fund Control Act and the exclusion of organisations financed from abroad, practicing gross propaganda in the interests of global interest. I assure you that groups of demonstrators with EU flags can only be found on Rustabelego Street in front of Parliament in Tbilisi or on the coastal boulevard in Batumi. They're nowhere else. The Georgians live another lives. They want to preserve an independent state on the foundation of Christian civilization. In this country, the conventional patriarchal model of the household remains. There is no social approval to advance any kind of perversion. This besides stirs the rage of the EU's 'elite'. However, it should be recalled that the transitional provisions of the erstwhile Georgian Constitution contain an idiotic evidence of the state's desire to integrate with the EU and enter NATO. As far as I know, it hasn't been cancelled yet.
Government of Kobachiga
The Georgians know what the Kobachiga government is defending. His position has late stabilised a fewer years prison conviction for Saakashvili. The EU's hope for an easy coup with this alternatively ghastly figure at its head is improbable to come actual now. Georgian citizens do not want EU politicians to build their anti-Russian front in the Caucasus with their hands. They know what would have happened. The Kobachiga government must besides deal with the enemies behind the Atlantic. Even among Republicans, he has quite a few opponents, ready to support the most operettatic pseudo-opposition, just to be submissive and eternally faithful. However, all effort to riot is suppressed in the embryo.
Now I will give an example of “many azimuts”. In the summertime of 2024, the French government provided Armenia with a modern rocket system. It was considered how to conduct this weapon. Georgia has agreed to the transit for the sum. The frightened presidents Erdogan and Aliyev came personally to Georgia to talk this decision out. They were kindly received and sent back. Transport ran over, and Georgia made quite a few money. That's what it looks like.
Georgians see an optimal solution: neutral state position with a warrant of independence. The Chief Government Policy Directive is simply a "equal distance" to the West and Russia with simultaneous beneficial cooperation, peculiarly in economic, technological, scientific, etc. Russia now accepts this, while EU ideologists are making it difficult. In December 2024, an uproar was set about the election of a fresh president. Meanwhile, the electoral college (Georgian parliament and local government delegates) according to the legally amended constitution chose Micheil Kawelashwili, supported by the governing party, but not even its member. It has its own tiny group. The EU and US 'Piszczoshka', the erstwhile 'president' of Salome Zurabiszvili, refused to recognise this choice and explicitly called for global intervention, or 'executed a bargain'. This scurry full of contempt for the law came to nothing, and at the end of last year she had to subdue... and get out where the pepper grows (it is said to be in a state of intellectual breakdown for a long time). After taking office Kavelashvili showed a fresh style. He did not decision into the monumental presidential palace, built like the Sultan's residences of Sinbad the Sailer's fairy tale of course by Saakashvili. Mrs Salome, with her “values” from the EU, utilized this palace without any doubt.
National support for the current government of Georgia is due to the fact that despite the mostly bloody temperament in current politics, most Georgians are guided by reason and caution. I express my deep hope that the Georgians can defend their independence.
Tadeusz M. Trajdos
photo profile of the prime minister of Georgia
Retired prof. IH PAN
Think Poland, No. 29-30 (20-27.07.2025)
