Opinion
Papers

From Truman to Trump: Georgia’s National Security in a Post-Liberal World

By Nikoloz Khatiashvili
November 2025

In this article, Nikoloz Khatiashvili analyzes the 2025 U.S. National Security Strategy published by the White House, arguing that it signals a fundamental departure from the post–World War II foundations of U.S. foreign and security policy. The strategy is notable for its critical tone toward Europe, implicit skepticism about further NATO enlargement, and its emphasis on achieving “strategic stability” with Russia. In contrast to earlier strategies, China is portrayed in a less confrontational manner, while the Western Hemisphere is elevated as a primary strategic priority. Khatiashvili concludes that the document reflects elements of nationalist retrenchment reminiscent of the Monroe Doctrine, combined with a selective approach to global engagement.

The Fortress West and the Strategic Test for Georgia

By Olga Spirandi
December 2025

In her latest analysis, Olga Spirandi examines the implications of the United States’ newly released National Security Strategy and its de facto freeze on NATO enlargement. She explores how this strategic shift reshapes Euro-Atlantic security, affects Ukraine’s peace negotiations, and poses profound risks for Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations. Spirandi warns of the potential domestic misuse of this policy change in Georgia and outlines why maintaining interoperability with NATO remains crucial despite the new geopolitical reality.

Neutrality in the Shadow of Russian Occupation and Its Strategic Risks for Georgia’s National Security

By Nikoloz Khatiashvili
November 2025

In this paper Nikoloz Khatiashvili examines the renewed calls for Georgia’s “neutral status” and analyses the grave security, legal, and strategic risks such a policy would entail. He argues that, given Russia’s ongoing occupation of 20% of Georgia’s territory, its consistent disregard for international law, and Georgia’s limited defence capabilities, neutrality would endanger rather than protect the country. Drawing on historical and contemporary examples, Nikoloz Khatiashvili demonstrates that neutrality would isolate Georgia from its allies, weaken deterrence, and serve Russian geopolitical interests. He concludes that Georgia’s only viable path lies in continued integration into NATO and the European Union.
Initially, the article was published in Georgian language on MEDIUM and specially translated and updated for the EU Awareness Centre.

Europe’s Eastern Frontier: The Unfinished Business of Security and Integration

By David Dondua
November 2025

David Dondua’s Europe’s Eastern Frontier: The Unfinished Business of Security and Integration is a powerful reflection on the defining challenges of Europe’s 21st century. The article argues that the continent’s stability and identity hinge on the security and integration of its eastern frontier—Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Armenia, and beyond. Dondua contends that only by anchoring these states within the Euro-Atlantic framework can Europe safeguard its democracy, counter Russian hybrid warfare, and transform a vulnerable borderland into the foundation of a stronger, more autonomous Europe.

Reforming the EU for Enlargement

By George Robakidze
October 2025

The article “Reforming the EU for Enlargement” explores the European Union’s need to reform its institutional, democratic, and strategic foundations before integrating new members such as Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans. It argues that without structural adaptation, enlargement could paralyze decision-making and erode legitimacy. The text outlines three key reform pillars—efficiency and governance, democratic legitimacy, and strategic autonomy—emphasizing that internal reform and enlargement must advance together to ensure a stronger, more cohesive, and credible European Union.

The Eastern Partnership at the Frontline of Europe’s Security: Why the South Caucasus Matters

By Tamta Pantsulaia
September 2025

In this insightful article, Tamta Pantsulaia critically examines the Eastern Partnership’s (EaP) transformation into a frontline of European security following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Arguing that the South Caucasus is a strategic region rather than a peripheral one, the analysis reveals how Russian aggression and China’s subtle economic advances are testing the EU’s geopolitical credibility. The article contends that the EU must urgently evolve from a passive observer into an assertive actor, leveraging the EaP to enhance security cooperation, resilience, and energy diversification, or risk being displaced in its own neighbourhood.

Understanding Georgia’s Migration Cooperation with the EU

By Salome Toliashvili
July 2025

In this insightful article, Salome Toliashvili critically examines the dynamics of EU-Georgia migration cooperation beyond the dominant securitisation and crisis-management narratives. Drawing on original research, she analyses why Georgia’s compliance with EU migration policy has slowed since visa liberalisation, revealing the limits of conditionality in a non-crisis context. Toliashvili argues that political will, credible incentives, and institutional capacity are key to sustaining alignment—and that Georgia’s case challenges the EU to rethink its external governance tools in favour of more flexible, context-aware approaches.

The Pan-European Movement: From Vision to Reality

By Téa Parulava
April 2025

This opinion paper offers a historical analysis of the Pan-European movement, tracing its origins, key figures, and pivotal moments, such as the Pan-European Picnic of 1989. It explores the movement's role in advocating for European unity, the integration of Eastern Europe, and the eventual formation of the European Union. The paper highlights the contributions of influential leaders like Count Richard von Coudenhove-Kalergi and Otto von Habsburg in shaping the discourse on European cooperation, peace, and democratic values, and reflects on the lasting legacy of the Pan-European Union in modern Europe.

Can US-Russia Talks End the War in Ukraine? Risks and Opportunities for the EU

By George Robakidze
March 2025

The war in Ukraine has profoundly reshaped Europe’s security outlook, exposing the consequences of decades-long underinvestment in defence and overreliance on U.S. military support. In this incisive analysis, George Robakidze examines how the conflict marks a turning point for the European Union, revealing the urgent need for strategic autonomy and credible defence capabilities to safeguard its geopolitical interests and ensure long-term stability on the continent.

Putin’s War in Ukraine: A Miscalculation or a Calculated Risk?

By David Dondua
March 2025

The article examines the three-year trajectory of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, challenging the initial mainstream perception of Vladimir Putin’s strategic miscalculations. The author critically reinterprets Putin’s decisions, suggesting that his actions may have been more calculated than commonly believed. The piece explores Russia’s military weaknesses, Ukraine’s unexpected resilience, and the West’s response while also situating the conflict within broader geopolitical shifts. The discussion extends to the implications of U.S. foreign policy, the transformation of NATO, and the rise of a multipolar world order. Ultimately, the article highlights the pressing need for Europe to assert its security leadership and raises questions about Georgia’s strategic position in this evolving landscape.

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