Talk Georgia

Epizode

• Ivanishvili: A Spin Dictator? How to Challenge His Power | Guest: Khatia Dekanoidze | Ep. 52 04.06.2026 1h 7min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Khatia Dekanoidze, former Education Minister of Georgia and former Chief of Ukraine’s National Police.01:05 – Introducing the Guest03:31 – How she came across How to Stand Up to a Dictator by Maria Ressa, why she decided to translate it into Georgian, and what she is translating next.08:04 – Khatia Dekanoidze’s path to police reform in Georgia and Ukraine. Which was more difficult?22:07 – What would she do differently if she were reforming the police and other law enforcement agencies today? And what does the Gori incident reveal about the state of the Georgian police?33:03 – Current affairs: the alleged spy scandal and the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ so-called “censorship department.” Is Ivanishvili a spin dictator, and how does he use propaganda to maintain his power?43:26 – The Saakashvili–Melia “war of letters”: who benefits, where it is heading, and how the opposition can regain momentum and challenge Ivanishvili’s rule.54:32 – Regional geopolitics: developments on the battlefield in Ukraine, growing U.S. and European engagement in the Caucasus, Armenia’s critical elections, Russia’s attempts to meddle, and Georgia’s place in a changing region.
• Ivanishvili: A Spin Dictator? How to Challenge His Power | Guest: Khatia Dekanoidze | Ep. 52 03.06.2026

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Khatia Dekanoidze, former Education Minister of Georgia and former Chief of Ukraine’s National Police.01:05 – Introducing the Guest03:31 – How she came across How to Stand Up to a Dictator by Maria Ressa, why she decided to translate it into Georgian, and what she is translating next.08:04 – Khatia Dekanoidze’s path to police reform in Georgia and Ukraine. Which was more difficult?22:07 – What would she do differently if she were reforming the police and other law enforcement agencies today? And what does the Gori incident reveal about the state of the Georgian police?33:03 – Current affairs: the alleged spy scandal and the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ so-called “censorship department.” Is Ivanishvili a spin dictator, and how does he use propaganda to maintain his power?43:26 – The Saakashvili–Melia “war of letters”: who benefits, where it is heading, and how the opposition can regain momentum and challenge Ivanishvili’s rule.54:32 – Regional geopolitics: developments on the battlefield in Ukraine, growing U.S. and European engagement in the Caucasus, Armenia’s critical elections, Russia’s attempts to meddle, and Georgia’s place in a changing region.
• 26 May: Bidzinocracy or Freedom? | The Gori Police Scandal: Can It Break the System? | TGQT Ep. 48 31.05.2026 29min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREThis is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Giorgi Rukhadze and Nodar Kharshiladze answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics.Top Questions of the week: LucyI’m relatively new to Georgia. On 26 May, I had mixed feelings. In the morning, Georgia seemed almost like a theocratic state. But by the evening, seeing thousands of people in the streets calling for freedom, I started to think differently. Which side of Georgia is winning in the end?GiorgiThe Gori incident shows that police violence is not about political affiliation. It is widespread and systemic. Do you think it could become a trigger, like the Girgvliani case or even the prison abuse footage?Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• 26 May: Bidzinocracy or Freedom? | The Gori Police Scandal: Can It Break the System? | TGQT Ep. 48 30.05.2026 1min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREThis is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Giorgi Rukhadze and Nodar Kharshiladze answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics.Top Questions of the week: LucyI’m relatively new to Georgia. On 26 May, I had mixed feelings. In the morning, Georgia seemed almost like a theocratic state. But by the evening, seeing thousands of people in the streets calling for freedom, I started to think differently. Which side of Georgia is winning in the end?GiorgiThe Gori incident shows that police violence is not about political affiliation. It is widespread and systemic. Do you think it could become a trigger, like the Girgvliani case or even the prison abuse footage?Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• Talk Georgia Weekly News Update. May 30. 2026 30.05.2026 5min

  Talk Georgia brings you weekly news updates on the key political and regional developments in Georgia. New episodes drop every Saturday at 22:00. Don’t miss out !
• The Protest Is Back - What’s Next? | “We Will Win in the End” - But When? | Zurab Japaridze Ep. 51 28.05.2026 55min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Zurab Japaridze, Chairman of the Girchi – More Freedom party01:20 Introducing the Guest03:17 Why politics, and why libertarianism?11:13 Did prison change him? If so, how?22:14 May 26 rally — the return of protest. What comes next? The road to victory: the opposition alliance’s vision.31:36 Why Georgian Dream no longer prioritises public opinion or popular support36:08 “In the end, we will win” — but when?43:07 Geopolitics: where is the balance of power shifting, and where does Georgia stand? Why is international pressure insufficient, and why are sanctions lagging behind?49:55 Why it is unrealistic for Georgian Dream to reset relations with the US administration in the current climate - and why greater US engagement, in any form, would benefit Georgia.
• The Protest Is Back - What’s Next? | “We Will Win in the End” - But When? | Zurab Japaridze Ep. 51 27.05.2026

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Zurab Japaridze, Chairman of the Girchi – More Freedom party01:20 Introducing the Guest03:17 Why politics, and why libertarianism?11:13 Did prison change him? If so, how?22:14 May 26 rally — the return of protest. What comes next? The road to victory: the opposition alliance’s vision.31:36 Why Georgian Dream no longer prioritises public opinion or popular support36:08 “In the end, we will win” — but when?43:07 Geopolitics: where is the balance of power shifting, and where does Georgia stand? Why is international pressure insufficient, and why are sanctions lagging behind?49:55 Why it is unrealistic for Georgian Dream to reset relations with the US administration in the current climate - and why greater US engagement, in any form, would benefit Georgia.
• Clashing with Brussels: Does GD Need a Final Rejection for Domestic Political Survival? | TGQT Ep47 24.05.2026 30min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREThis is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Giorgi Rukhadze and Nodar Kharshiladze answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics.Top Question of the week from MarkWhy have the Georgian Dream’s attacks on the European Union become especially intense now? A confrontational letter from Kobakhidze to the heads of EU institutions, and Shalva Papuashvili’s direct insults toward the German ambassador. Why specifically Denmark and Germany? And what is Bidzina Ivanishvili trying to achieve? Is he preparing ground for a final rejection of the European Union?Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• Talk Georgia Weekly News Update. May 23. 2026 23.05.2026 6min

  Talk Georgia brings you weekly news updates on the key political and regional developments in Georgia. New episodes drop every Saturday at 22:00. Don’t miss out !
• Clashing with Brussels: Does GD Need a Final Rejection for Domestic Political Survival? | TGQT Ep47 23.05.2026

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREThis is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Giorgi Rukhadze and Nodar Kharshiladze answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics.Top Question of the week from MarkWhy have the Georgian Dream’s attacks on the European Union become especially intense now? A confrontational letter from Kobakhidze to the heads of EU institutions, and Shalva Papuashvili’s direct insults toward the German ambassador. Why specifically Denmark and Germany? And what is Bidzina Ivanishvili trying to achieve? Is he preparing ground for a final rejection of the European Union?Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• A Power Shift in the Caucasus: Where’s Georgia? | Guest: Sciences Po Professor Tornike Gordadze Ep50 21.05.2026 1h 5min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Thornike Gordadze | Professor at Science Po Paris | Eastern Neighbourhood and Black Sea program fellow at the Jacques Delors Institute | former State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration 01:40 Guest Introduction5:32 What does Georgian Dream Prime Minister Kobakhidze’s confrontational open letter to EU leaders signify about GD’s policy toward the European Union?15:26 The political and geopolitical aspects of the election of Shio III as the new patriarch of Georgia: did Bidzina Ivanishvili and the Kremlin get what they wanted?27:33 The French National Assembly resolution on Georgia: which political forces in France supported it, and what are its political significance and practical implications? Are French sanctions in the pipeline?39:37 A positive shift in Ukraine–Georgia relations? The Zelensky–Kobakhidze pull-aside meeting and the Sybiha–Bochorishvili talks, yet anti-Zelensky propaganda continues and Tbilisi refuses to join the tribunal against Russia — what do we know and what should we expect?47:55 Regional politics: a power shift in the South Caucasus - the US and EU are coming in as Russia goes out. Azerbaijan and Armenia are both winning. Where’s Georgia?
• A Power Shift in the Caucasus: Where’s Georgia? | Guest: Sciences Po Professor Tornike Gordadze Ep50 20.05.2026 1min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Thornike Gordadze | Professor at Science Po Paris | Eastern Neighbourhood and Black Sea program fellow at the Jacques Delors Institute | former State Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration What does Georgian Dream Prime Minister Kobakhidze’s confrontational open letter to EU leaders signify about GD’s policy toward the European Union?The political and geopolitical aspects of the election of Shio III as the new patriarch of Georgia: did Bidzina Ivanishvili and the Kremlin get what they wanted?The French National Assembly resolution on Georgia: which political forces in France supported it, and what are its political significance and practical implications? Are French sanctions in the pipeline?A positive shift in Ukraine–Georgia relations? The Zelensky–Kobakhidze pull-aside meeting and the Sybiha–Bochorishvili talks, yet anti-Zelensky propaganda continues and Tbilisi refuses to join the tribunal against Russia — what do we know and what should we expect?Regional politics: a power shift in the South Caucasus - the US and EU are coming in as Russia goes out. Azerbaijan and Armenia are both winning. Where’s Georgia?
• What’s happening in UA–Georgia relations? Imedi TV barred from EP. More Sanctions coming? TGQT. Ep45 17.05.2026 31min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREThis is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Giorgi Rukhadze and Nodar Kharshiladze answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics.Top Questions of the week from Dan and MariaWhat is happening in Ukraine–Georgia relations? We’ve seen some signs of warming, yet Georgia has not joined the tribunal against Russia, while Georgian Dream continues throwing mud at Zelensky. Any idea what’s going on?Imedi TV was barred from the European Parliament for a year, and Rustavi 2 and Pos TV were not allowed in Moldova. Do you think this could be a prelude to European sanctions, after the UK already sanctioned them?Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• What’s happening in UA–Georgia relations? Imedi TV barred from EP. More Sanctions coming? TGQT. Ep45 16.05.2026

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREThis is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Giorgi Rukhadze and Nodar Kharshiladze answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics.Top Questions of the week from Dan and MariaWhat is happening in Ukraine–Georgia relations? We’ve seen some signs of warming, yet Georgia has not joined the tribunal against Russia, while Georgian Dream continues throwing mud at Zelensky. Any idea what’s going on?Imedi TV was barred from the European Parliament for a year, and Rustavi 2 and Pos TV were not allowed in Moldova. Do you think this could be a prelude to European sanctions, after the UK already sanctioned them?Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• Talk Georgia Weekly News Update. May 16. 2026 16.05.2026 7min

  Talk Georgia brings you weekly news updates on the key political and regional developments in Georgia. New episodes drop every Saturday at 22:00. Don’t miss out!
• Ivanishvili Confused & Vulnerable? How Opposition Can Defeat Him | Guest: Tamar Chergoleishvili Ep49. 14.05.2026 53min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Tamar Chergoleishvili - A Federalists Party Founder. — Guest Introduction — Why party politics? And when two leaders of one party are living under one roof, does it make things easier or more difficult?— How is the Federalists Party doing, and in the present climate, when it is on a ban list, would that change anything?— Commenting on the current developments: the new Patriarch, the Volodymyr Zelenskyy–Irakli Kobakhidze meeting, the French Assembly adopting a resolution on Georgia, the international pressure on Bidzina Ivanishvili amid the changing geopolitical climate, and the GD propaganda.— What should we expect from the 26 May rally, why should people come to the demonstration, and what will happen afterward?— The Opposition Alliance: What’s happening inside it, what are the key expectations and challenges it faces, and what will be its next move?— If we look at how the stars are moving in geopolitics, is it a time to throw stones or a time to gather stones?— Tamara’s final message.
• Ivanishvili Confused & Vulnerable? How Opposition Can Defeat Him | Guest: Tamar Chergoleishvili Ep49. 13.05.2026 1min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Tamar Chergoleishvili - A Federalists Party Founder. — Guest Introduction — Why party politics? And when two leaders of one party are living under one roof, does it make things easier or more difficult?— How is the Federalists Party doing, and in the present climate, when it is on a ban list, would that change anything?— Commenting on the current developments: the new Patriarch, the Volodymyr Zelenskyy–Irakli Kobakhidze meeting, the French Assembly adopting a resolution on Georgia, the international pressure on Bidzina Ivanishvili amid the changing geopolitical climate, and the GD propaganda.— What should we expect from the 26 May rally, why should people come to the demonstration, and what will happen afterward?— The Opposition Alliance: What’s happening inside it, what are the key expectations and challenges it faces, and what will be its next move?— If we look at how the stars are moving in geopolitics, is it a time to throw stones or a time to gather stones?— Tamara’s final message.
• GD Softening? Then Why Spy Cases & 7-Year Sentences? 🥂 Talk Georgia’s 1st birthday! Talk Georgia Question Time. Ep45 10.05.2026 37min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREThis is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Giorgi Rukhadze and Nodar Kharshiladze answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics.Top Question of the week from LauraDo the arrests of special force officers indicate a softening of Georgian Dream’s policy? Could they be linked to the Kobakhidze–Zelenskyy meeting or the visit of the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary? If so, how do you explain the espionage cases, the seven-year sentences for the October 4 organisers? Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• GD Softening? Then Why Spy Cases & 7-Year Sentences? 🥂 Talk Georgia’s 1st birthday! Talk Georgia Question Time. Ep45 10.05.2026

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREThis is a special edition of Talk Georgia, which airs every Sunday at 22:00, where Giorgi Rukhadze and Nodar Kharshiladze answer audience questions about Georgian and regional politics.Top Question of the week from LauraDo the arrests of special force officers indicate a softening of Georgian Dream’s policy? Could they be linked to the Kobakhidze–Zelenskyy meeting or the visit of the U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary? If so, how do you explain the espionage cases, the seven-year sentences for the October 4 organisers? Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• Talk Georgia Weekly News Update. May 9. 2026 09.05.2026 6min

  Talk Georgia brings you weekly news updates on the key political and regional developments in Georgia. New episodes drop every Saturday at 22:00. Don’t miss out!