Talk Georgia

Episodet

• Trump's Thank You Letter to Kobakhidze | the Deep State | Anti-Corruption Arrests & More | TGQT55 19.07.2026 32min

  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: GD calls OSCE, EU, and US agents of the "deep state." Yet they are celebrating Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili's visit to a conference in Washington, the very heart of the so-called "deep state”, as well as President Trump's thank-you letter. How do you explain this contradiction?The Prosecutor's Office says its anti-corruption campaign is continuing and that 28 people have been arrested. But we still don't know who they are. Who is being targeted this time, and are we likely to see current or former ministers among them?Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• Talk Georgia Weekly News Update. July 18. 2026 18.07.2026 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!
• Trump's Thank You Letter to Kobakhidze | the Deep State | Anti-Corruption Arrests & More | TGQT55 18.07.2026

  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: GD calls OSCE, EU, and US agents of the "deep state." Yet they are celebrating Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili's visit to a conference in Washington, the very heart of the so-called "deep state”, as well as President Trump's thank-you letter. How do you explain this contradiction?The Prosecutor's Office says its anti-corruption campaign is continuing and that 28 people have been arrested. But we still don't know who they are. Who is being targeted this time, and are we likely to see current or former ministers among them?Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• Georgia's Future: West, Russia or Ivanishvili's State? Defence & Security Expert Zurab Parjiani EP58 16.07.2026 41min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Defense and Security Expert, Former Diplomat Zurab Parjiani01:29 Introducing the Guest03:20 Ivanishvili, Power, and the Georgian StateWhat is Bidzina Ivanishvili ultimately trying to achieve?11:48 Georgia's Strategic Direction: The West, Russia, or Strategic Ambiguity?Has Georgia abandoned its long-standing Western course?19:01 Georgia in a Shifting Geopolitical Environment Where does Georgia fit into today's changing geopolitical landscape?25:53 The Future of the Georgian State What kind of state could Georgia become over the next five years?34:28 Georgia's National SecurityWhat is the country's greatest national security vulnerability?
• Georgia's Future: West, Russia or Ivanishvili's State? Defence & Security Expert Zurab Parjiani EP58 15.07.2026

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Defense and Security Expert, Former Diplomat Zurab ParjianiIvanishvili, Power, and the Georgian StateWhat is Bidzina Ivanishvili ultimately trying to achieve?Georgia's Strategic DirectionThe West, Russia, or Strategic Ambiguity?Has Georgia abandoned its long-standing Western course?Georgia in a Shifting Geopolitical Environment Where does Georgia fit into today's changing geopolitical landscape?The Future of the Georgian State What kind of state could Georgia become over the next five years?Georgia's National SecurityWhat is the country's greatest national security vulnerability?
• Bidzina's Endgame: One-Man Rule, the OSCE Declaration, NATO Isolation & Opposition Crackdown. TGQT54 12.07.2026 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 Questions of the week: Ivanishvili leading Georgia towards long-term isolation and one-man rule as NATO shuts out Georgian Dream and the OSCE questions the integrity of future elections? Are Georgia’s NATO and EU aspirations effectively over?The opposition says that by the end of August, all major opposition figures will be jailed or exiled, and their parties banned. Do you agree? If Ivanishvili's power is secure, why tighten the screws even further?Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• Bidzina's Endgame: One-Man Rule, the OSCE Declaration, NATO Isolation & Opposition Crackdown. TGQT54 12.07.2026

  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: Ivanishvili leading Georgia towards long-term isolation and one-man rule as NATO shuts out Georgian Dream and the OSCE questions the integrity of future elections? Are Georgia’s NATO and EU aspirations effectively over?The opposition says that by the end of August, all major opposition figures will be jailed or exiled, and their parties banned. Do you agree? If Ivanishvili's power is secure, why tighten the screws even further?Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• Talk Georgia Weekly News Update. July 11. 2026 11.07.2026 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!
• Ivanishvili's Former Lawyer Enters Politics | Victor Kipiani on His Vision for Georgia First | EP57 09.07.2026 54min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Victor Kipiani, Chairman of the Georgia First Party.02:30 Why launch a new political party - and why now? What are the challenges ahead?07:10 The core mission of Georgia First and what makes it different17:09 Who is Georgia First trying to represent?19:58 How independent is Victor Kipiani? Why should voters trust he no longer represents Ivanishvili's interests?23:48 What would Victor Kipiani have done differently if he had led the opposition?28:15 Does he see a role for Bidzina Ivanishvili in Georgia's future politics?29:47 Georgia First's economic vision for Georgia35:56 Georgia's foreign policy and its role in the region45:57 Is he concerned that Ivanishvili may see him as a traitor and seek revenge?50:57 Looking ahead: what would success for Georgia First and for Georgia look like in five years?
• Ivanishvili's Former Lawyer Enters Politics | Victor Kipiani on His Vision for Georgia First | EP57 08.07.2026

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Victor Kipiani, Chairman of the Georgia First Party.02:30 Why launch a new political party - and why now? What are the challenges ahead?07:10 The core mission of Georgia First and what makes it different17:09 Who is Georgia First trying to represent?19:58 How independent is Victor Kipiani? Why should voters trust he no longer represents Ivanishvili's interests?23:48 What would Victor Kipiani have done differently if he had led the opposition?28:15 Does he see a role for Bidzina Ivanishvili in Georgia's future politics?29:47 Georgia First's economic vision for Georgia35:56 Georgia's foreign policy and its role in the region45:57 Is he concerned that Ivanishvili may see him as a traitor and seek revenge?50:57 Looking ahead: what would success for Georgia First and for Georgia look like in five years?
• Parliament Violence: Who Pays? | From DC to Tehran? | Why the Rush to Lock Up the Opposition? TGQT53 05.07.2026 33min

  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: Gakharia's party is calling for an investigation into the violence in Parliament. What do you expect the Prosecutor's Office to do? Could Talakhadze and Gorduladze face charges?Why has the so-called "sabotage" case accelerated? Is it aimed at paving the way for banning opposition parties, or at jailing opposition leaders for political leverage?What message does President Mikheil Kavelashvili’s attendance at Ali Khamenei’s funeral send to Washington, and what does it reveal about Georgian Dream’s foreign policy priorities? Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• Parliament Violence: Who Pays? | From DC to Tehran? | Why the Rush to Lock Up the Opposition? TGQT53 04.07.2026 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: Gakharia's party is calling for an investigation into the violence in Parliament. What do you expect the Prosecutor's Office to do? Could Talakhadze and Gorduladze face charges?Why has the so-called "sabotage" case accelerated? Is it aimed at paving the way for banning opposition parties, or at jailing opposition leaders for political leverage?What message does President Mikheil Kavelashvili’s attendance at Ali Khamenei’s funeral send to Washington, and what does it reveal about Georgian Dream’s foreign policy priorities? Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• Talk Georgia Weekly News Update. July 4. 2026 04.07.2026 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!
• Was Georgia Ever a Democracy? | Professor Julie George on Georgia’s Political Identity | EP. 56 02.07.2026 37min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Julie George — Political scientist, Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY) and Columbia University.01:04 Introducing the Guest. Why Georgia, what brought her to this country and what made it one of the central points of her studies.03:15. How Georgia’s political identity was transformed in the past 30 years. Shevardnadze, Saakashvili, Ivanishvili, who made the biggest impact on how Georgians understand themselves, their state, sovereignty, and place in Europe?09:22 Why does Georgian Dream’s fear-based messaging - around war, foreign agents, and cultural threats - resonate with some voters? Can it reshape public opinion, or is it simply a strategy to maintain power through fear?19:03 How does conflict proximity shape political identity? Does living near the occupation lines foster inclusion or exclusion? And how has Russia’s continued pressure reshaped Georgian identity?27:00 Is competitive authoritarianism in Georgia becoming full authoritarianism? Looking at the courts, parliament, civil society, media, and a weakened opposition, where does Georgia stand between flawed democracy and consolidated authoritarianism?31: 30 Did the Rose Revolution create today’s system? Could elite defections still trigger change, or has power become too centralized under Ivanishvili?
• Was Georgia Ever a Democracy? | Professor Julie George on Georgia’s Political Identity | EP. 56 01.07.2026 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: Julie George — Political scientist, Professor at the City University of New York (CUNY) and Columbia University.01:04 Introducing the Guest. Why Georgia, what brought her to this country and what made it one of the central points of her studies.03:15. How Georgia’s political identity was transformed in the past 30 years. Shevardnadze, Saakashvili, Ivanishvili, who made the biggest impact on how Georgians understand themselves, their state, sovereignty, and place in Europe?09:22 Why does Georgian Dream’s fear-based messaging - around war, foreign agents, and cultural threats - resonate with some voters? Can it reshape public opinion, or is it simply a strategy to maintain power through fear?19:03 How does conflict proximity shape political identity? Does living near the occupation lines foster inclusion or exclusion? And how has Russia’s continued pressure reshaped Georgian identity?27:00 Is competitive authoritarianism in Georgia becoming full authoritarianism? Looking at the courts, parliament, civil society, media, and a weakened opposition, where does Georgia stand between flawed democracy and consolidated authoritarianism?31: 30 Did the Rose Revolution create today’s system? Could elite defections still trigger change, or has power become too centralized under Ivanishvili?
• Parliament Brawl | Papuashvili: EU=Russia=Occupiers? | Healthcare Corruption Scandal & More TGQT52 28.06.2026 35min

  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: GD has now equated Russia and the EU, claiming that Brussels, like Moscow, violates Georgia’s sovereignty. Have they hit rock bottom, or should we expect even more?Another major corruption scandal has erupted in Georgia’s healthcare sector. Around 25 people have been charged, including a former deputy health minister. What do we know about this case, and who is being targeted this time?Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• Parliament Brawl | Papuashvili: EU=Russia=Occupiers? | Healthcare Corruption Scandal & More TGQT52 28.06.2026

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 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: GD has now equated Russia and the EU, claiming that Brussels, like Moscow, violates Georgia’s sovereignty. Have they hit rock bottom, or should we expect even more?Another major corruption scandal has erupted in Georgia’s healthcare sector. Around 25 people have been charged, including a former deputy health minister. What do we know about this case, and who is being targeted this time?Please send your questions for the next show to talkgeorgia1@gmail.com
• Talk Georgia Weekly News Update. June 27. 2026 27.06.2026 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!
• How Georgia Reached Crisis Point | Davit Usupashvili on Ivanishvili and the Road Ahead EP55 25.06.2026 58min

  Support Talk Georgia by subscribing on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/cw/TalkGeorgia or donating at https://buymeacoffee.com/talkgeorgiaPLEASE 🔔 SUBSCRIBE ❤️ LIKE 💬 COMMENT 📣 SHAREGuest: Davit Usupashvili — Lawyer, Politician, Former Chair of Parliament of Georgia | Former Leader of the Republican Party01:37 Introducing the guest 04:00 Commenting on recent developments, including the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association’s victory at the European Court of Human Rights, the harsh prison sentences handed to October 4 rally organisers and participants, and the growing use of Georgia’s judiciary to suppress political competition.22:34 Revisiting the years 2012–2016, when he served as Chair of Parliament: when did the first warning signs emerge that Bidzina Ivanishvili sought not merely to govern the state, but to become the state?44:13 Using the metaphor of Georgia as a critically ill patient, we discuss his diagnosis of the country’s condition and the treatment needed for recovery. and If Ivanishvili is gone tomorrow would that solve the problem? 53:24 Finally, looking ahead: what warning signs should Georgians watch for, and what are the best- and worst-case scenarios for the years to come?
• How Georgia Reached Crisis Point | Davit Usupashvili on Ivanishvili and the Road Ahead EP55 24.06.2026 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: Davit Usupashvili — Lawyer, Politician, Former Chair of Parliament of Georgia | Former Leader of the Republican Party01:37 Introducing the guest 04:00 Commenting on recent developments, including the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association’s victory at the European Court of Human Rights, the harsh prison sentences handed to October 4 rally organisers and participants, and the growing use of Georgia’s judiciary to suppress political competition.22:34 Revisiting the years 2012–2016, when he served as Chair of Parliament: when did the first warning signs emerge that Bidzina Ivanishvili sought not merely to govern the state, but to become the state?44:13 Using the metaphor of Georgia as a critically ill patient, we discuss his diagnosis of the country’s condition and the treatment needed for recovery. and If Ivanishvili is gone tomorrow would that solve the problem? 53:24 Finally, looking ahead: what warning signs should Georgians watch for, and what are the best- and worst-case scenarios for the years to come?