Irakli Machaidze | Eurasianet

From 2017 to 2024, more than a million Georgians have traveled to the Schengen Area without needing a visa. Any tightening of the existing travel rules would be sure to cause a spike in dissatisfaction with the Georgian Dream government. (Photo: gov.ge)

Georgian government preparing for EU move to suspend visa-free travel

Georgian Dream downplays consequences.

Irakli Machaidze Apr 22, 2025

Left to right: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze, Georgian Dream Honorary Chairman Bidzina Ivanishvili, and President Mikheil Kavelashvili. Georgia’s authoritarian leadership is taking new steps to cut off revenue streams to the country’s non-profit and independent media sectors. (Photo: gov.ge)

Georgia: Government seeks control over foreign assistance to non-governmental sector

Independent media outlets confronting potential death blow.

Irakli Machaidze Apr 15, 2025

Tea Tsulukiani, the head of a newly established investigative commission with a mandate to investigate political activity from 2003-2012, the timeframe when UNM and its leader, Mikheil Saakashvili, held power. (Photo: gov.ge)

Georgian government weaponizes history with aim of banning opposition

New parliamentary commission fueling public resentment.

Irakli Machaidze Apr 8, 2025

Prominent Putin critic Ilya Yashin speaks during a panel discussion on January 16 in Vienna. (Video screenshot)

Russian exiles debate ways to influence events in their homeland

There is not much to be done to counter Putin’s iron grip on Russian society.

Irakli Machaidze Jan 17, 2025

President Salome Zourabichvili addresses people at an opposition rally before the October parliamentary elections. Zourabichvili’s term ends on December 14, but she is vowing not to go, asserting that illegitimately installed MPs lack the standing to select her replacement. (Photo: Administration of the President of Georgia).

Georgia: Presidential vote seems set to widen political divide

Incumbent challenges Georgian Dream saying: “Let’s see who will go.”

Irakli Machaidze Dec 13, 2024

Bidzina Ivanishvili (front, center) at the first parliamentary session after the October elections, attended only by Georgian Dream legislators. (Photo: Parliament of Georgia).

Georgia: Government set to pass laws bolstering police state

Efforts to contain opposition protests shifting from street to legislature.

Irakli Machaidze Dec 11, 2024

(Screenshot, Telegram @respublicaabh)

Abkhazia: Lots of drama unlikely to produce change

Bet on the Kremlin to get what it wants in the end.

Irakli Machaidze Nov 22, 2024

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze (left) and European Union foreign policy chief Josep Borrell talk at the joint press conference after the EU-Georgia Association Council in February 2024, where Tbilisi and Brussels “agreed to speed up our work” towards Georgia’s accession. EU leaders have since stopped Georgia’s accession process. (Photo: European Council)

European Commission highlights Georgia’s “Backsliding”

Georgian Dream government responsible for halting EU accession hopes.

Irakli Machaidze Nov 1, 2024

A poll conducted by the Georgian Association in the United State showed that 96 percent of respondents identified election accessibility as a major issue in need of remedy. (Photo: Central Election Commission)

Georgian expats complain about obstacles to voting in upcoming parliamentary elections

Critics say Georgian Dream wants to keep diaspora turnout low.

Irakli Machaidze Oct 18, 2024

Politicians and city planners discuss an infrastructure project in Rustavi, Georgia. Rapid urbanization in the South Caucasus fueled by spiking countryside-to-city migration has become a burgeoning challenge. (Photo: gov.ge)

Environmental challenges posing threats to food security, public health – academic study

Better urban planning needed to address pollution concerns.

Irakli Machaidze Oct 2, 2024