Irina Arabidze

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Articles

How To Make Sense of Tech Making Nice with Trump

Jan 21, 2025 | cepa.org | Adam Kovacevich |Alison Mutler |Irina Arabidze

Most US tech industry employees continue to vote Democratic, even as some of its most prominent leaders are making pilgrimages to Mar-a-Lago and are donating millions to Trump’s inaugural fund. How did we get here? Like much of our present moment, it all goes back to 2015, when Trump descended an escalator and declared his campaign for president. Trump’s surprising victory over Hillary Clinton in 2016 sent Democrats into a tailspin.
Orbán’s Key Minister Hit by US Magnitsky Sanctions

Jan 9, 2025 | cepa.org | Dorka Takacsy |Joshua Stein |Irina Arabidze |Chris Stephen

Antal Rogán, the minister heading Viktor Orbán’s Cabinet Office, was sanctioned by the Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), under the Global Magnitsky Act, for schemes designed to enrich “himself and his party at the expense of the Hungarian people.” The decision to impose Magnitsky measures against a serving senior minister in a NATO ally’s government is unprecedented. The decision could be reversed by the next administration, but that will not be easy.
Romania Pays the Price for Kremlin Interference

Dec 20, 2024 | cepa.org | Alison Mutler |Irina Arabidze |Beka Chedia |Jack Dean

Romania avoided a bullet, but the gunman is still at large. That’s how some analysts describe Romania’s political situation after, in less than a month, it went from a reliable and committed NATO and European Union (EU) member to a southeast European country mired in political turmoil and uncertainty. It’s a grim picture, and there’s no immediate fix in sight.
Ukrainians Warn Putin Will Scupper Trump’s Peace

Nov 7, 2024 | cepa.org | Francis Harris |Irina Arabidze |Emil Avdaliani |Anda Bologa

It’s a lyrically beautiful, sunny morning in Kyiv and the air raid alarms are sounding. Iranian drones are circling the city, trying to dodge the popping guns of air defenses as they head for their targets. Some miles to the east, Ukrainian troops are engaging North Korean infantry. To those in the US who argue war in Ukraine is a Europe-only problem, it doesn’t feel like it in Kyiv.
The Illusion of Choice — Will the West Fail Georgia Over Rigged Election?

Nov 6, 2024 | cepa.org | Irina Arabidze |Emil Avdaliani |Anda Bologa |Edward Lucas

The parliamentary elections in Georgia have sparked widespread debate and concern. Victory for the anti-Western Georgian Dream (GD) party in the October 26 vote, despite an overwhelming majority of voters expressing strong support for a European future, left many searching for answers. In the wake of the election, Georgia’s President and opposition leaders rejected the results and called for street protests.
Georgia - The High Stakes Election

Oct 15, 2024 | cepa.org | Emil Avdaliani |Irina Arabidze |Anda Bologa |Ketevan Chachava

Georgia’s ruling party, Georgian Dream (GD), plans to initiate the impeachment of President Salome Zurabishvili (again.) This is the second attempt and it is likely to fail because the ruling party lacks the constitutional majority to pull it off. The move is symbolic, but it has a clear purpose coming just two weeks before the critical parliamentary elections on October 26.
Time is Running Out for the West in Georgia

Oct 15, 2024 | cepa.org | Irina Arabidze |Emil Avdaliani |Anda Bologa |Ketevan Chachava

Before Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Georgian Dream government played a dual game. While it touted the importance of Euro-Atlantic integration, it continually failed to implement the reforms required for membership of the European Union (EU) and NATO. Tbilisi portrayed itself as laser-focused on becoming an integral part of Europe but made overtures to China, downplayed Russia’s occupation of Georgia, and engaged with Iran.
Negotiate with Moscow? Consider Georgia’s Experience

Jan 16, 2024 | cepa.org | Irina Arabidze

Georgia was horrified when news broke in November that Russian forces had opened fire on a group of Christian worshippers visiting an occupied church, leaving 58-year-old Tamaz Ginturi dead from multiple gunshot wounds. A companion, who survived the attack, was beaten and detained. The two men had recorded a video before the shooting began, which was later published as evidence of Russia’s trigger-happy approach. “This is how Russians behave.
Georgia Plays Footsie With the Authoritarian Bloc

Aug 23, 2023 | cepa.org | Irina Arabidze

Georgia and China announced a surprise strategic partnership in July, covering political, economic, cultural, and international cooperation. Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili, who visited Beijing to seal the deal, stressed to Chinese President Xi Jinping that his country greatly values their mutually beneficial friendship. In an interview with the China Global Television Network, Garibashvili lauded the Chinese president calling him an “inspirational” and an “exemplary” leader.