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Commentary
Georgia: Two presidents; one crises

Georgia: Two presidents; one crises

If there is one thing that strikes out from the events in Georgia in the last five weeks it is Salome Zurabishvili and the role she has played in keeping together the disparate Georgian Opposition. She has risen to the occasion in a way few thought she has the capacity to do. Georgian Dream never took her seriously, in all the time she was president. That had little consequence. But their failure to take her seriously now is a fatal mistake which will cost them dearly. Salome Zurabishvili left the Orbeliani Palace on 29 December, saying she was taking her legitimacy with her. Most Georgians still see her as the president. In any case, Salome Zurabishvili has become a phenomena. She will be a part of any future solution for Georgia Georgian Dream were very keen to replace Salome Zurabishvili. But their choice is unfortunate. Most Georgians had not heard of Mikheil Kavelashvili before he was nominated to the post of president. Those that did, remembered him as an ex-footballer. In parliament his role was completely undistinguished: one of a cohort of men that Georgian Dream wheels out whenever it needs the numbers to pass a law or some other administrative measure. Under the Georgian constitution, the president is a symbolic figurehead. But Kavelashvili cannot even be that. His time as president is likely to be a short and unhappy one. Crises? What crises? That Georgia is in the middle of its most serious crises since independence is recognised by most. But the Georgian Dream government is in complete denial. It is treating events on the streets of Tbilisi and other Georgian cities as temporary aberrations which will soon blow away and are forgotten. It is completely indifferent to the calls of the international community. This is an example of how cut-off the Georgian Dream government is from reality. It was left to Gia Volski, the ascetic 1st Deputy Speaker of Parliament, to articulate a response to the accusation that the Georgian government was ignoring a major crises. Speaking at a press briefing on 30 December, Volski said: “The situation is difficult, but it does not indicate the existence of a political crisis”. Volski than explained what in his view constitutes a crises: “a political crisis is a situation when the government cannot be approved, the budget cannot be adopted or a vote of no confidence is expressed in the government!” Until they admit there is a crisis the Georgian Dream will not take measures that would contribute to its solution. Ivanishvili must get real In all this, a central figure is the de facto leader of Georgian Dream and ruler of Georgia, Bidzina Ivanishvili. This week he was included on a US sanction list. But many think it could have been worse – and some think it should have been worse. But it seems what the Americans tried to do is to bring Bidzina to his senses. Ivanishvili must get real for his sake, and for the sake of Georgia. There is still a small chance that he will. Georgians need to draw lessons from present events in order to build a future that is both honourable and sustainable.
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News
Poland takes over presidency of the European Union after a stormy six month Hungarian Presidency

Poland takes over presidency of the European Union after a stormy six month Hungarian Presidency

Poland on Wednesday(1 January) took over the Presidency of The European Union for a period of six months ending a stormy six month Hungarian presidency that often left the member states dismayed, frustrated and angry. Poland is ready to lead Europe towards security and economic competitiveness, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said in Brussels just before Christmas. Coming after Hungary the Polish presidency is a symbol of change and great hope of the entire EU for a democratic and secure future of the continent.  Summing up the Polish ambitions prime minister Tusk said I would very much like Poles, to give faith to the whole of Europe that a Europe free from corruption, free from threats, confident in its own strengths, helping those who need help, but also thinking very pragmatically about its own interests is possible. The Hungarian presidency of the Council of the EU began with an unexpected visit by Prime Minister Victor Orban to Moscow and ended with, among other things, a declaration of Hungary's lack of support for the extension of sanctions against Russia.
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Opinion
Opinion: What Aliyev’s reaction to the airplane crash tells us about Azerbaijan’s relations with the West

Opinion: What Aliyev’s reaction to the airplane crash tells us about Azerbaijan’s relations with the West

On December 30, Germany’s Der Spiegel, a publication often perceived as critical and biased against Azerbaijan – similar to many other German media outlets – reported on Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s reaction to Russia’s handling of a recent airplane crash crisis between the two countries. The publication noted, “Aliyev’s reaction is a testament to the increased weight of his country.” It continued, “Aliyev called the previous statements from the Russian side ‘nonsensical,’ ‘absurd,’ and ‘stupid.’ He spoke of attempts to cover up the situation and made it clear that with his apology, Putin had fulfilled only one of several conditions that Baku had demanded of Moscow.”
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Analysis
Analysis: The future of Syria: a new battleground for influence

Analysis: The future of Syria: a new battleground for influence

On Sunday December 8th the long-ruling Syrian president Bashar al-Assad fled the country, ultimately giving up power to the Syrian rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The day marked the end of the 61 years long authoritarian regime, started by Bashar’s father, Hafez al-Assad. The regime scared the Syrian population with regular instances of torture, mysterious disappearances and unlawful killings in cases of resistance against the ruler. Since the 2011 ‘Arab Spring’ protests that resulted in the rise of repression and a civil war, Syria’s economic and political landscape was completely ruined. Even though the long-awaited Assad’s fall is a time of celebration for many around the world, it is only the beginning of a long, demanding journey to rebuild the country from scratch.
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News
Jimmy Carter dies at 100 leaving a legacy that is difficult to match

Jimmy Carter dies at 100 leaving a legacy that is difficult to match

Jimmy Carter the 39th president of the United States, died today at the venerable age of 100.  As reactions poured in from around the world, President Joe Biden mourned Carter’s death, saying the world lost an “extraordinary leader, statesman and humanitarian.” Biden cited Carter’s work to eradicate disease, forge peace, advance civil and human rights, promote free and fair elections and house the homeless as an example for others. Biden scheduled a state funeral in Washington, D.C. for Carter on Jan. 9. Biden also declared Jan. 9 as a National Day of Mourning and ordered U.S. flags to fly at half-staff for 30 days from Sunday. Carter governed amid Cold War pressures, turbulent oil markets and social upheaval over racism, women’s rights and America’s global role. His most acclaimed achievement in office was a Mideast peace deal that he brokered by keeping Egyptian President Anwar Sadat and Israeli Prime Minister Menachem Begin at the bargaining table for 13 days in 1978.That Camp David experience inspired the post-presidential center where Carter would establish so much of his legacy. In fact it was Carter's work at the Carter Centre after he left office that will be remembered as his most important legacy.
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News
New President of Georgia sworn in: Outgoing President says he is not legitimate

New President of Georgia sworn in: Outgoing President says he is not legitimate

Mikheil Kavelashvili was sworn in as president of Georgia on Sunday as thousands of protesters gathered in the capital Tbilisi to demonstrate against his inauguration. Outgoing President Salome Zourabichvili, an opponent of the ruling Georgian Dream party said in a defiant speech to supporters outside the presidential palace that she was leaving the residence but that Kavelashvili had no legitimacy as president.
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News
  Ilham Aliyev makes three demands to Russian Federation following crash of AZAL plane

Ilham Aliyev makes three demands to Russian Federation following crash of AZAL plane

It is becoming increasingly clear that the AZAL plane that crashed on Christmas Day (25 December) was hit by a Russian missile fired from Grozny. Russian President Vladimir Putin took the unusual step of apologising on Friday (27th December) but stopped short of admitting responsibility . - Commenting on the crash during an interview with Azerbaijan Television President Aliyev dismissed earlier Russian claims that the plane was struck by birds. The fact that the crashed plane was full of holes completely eliminates the bird strike theory, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said . According to him, Azerbaijan presented clear demands to the Russian side. "These demands were officially communicated to them on December 27. What do they consist of? First, the Russian side must apologize to Azerbaijan. Second, it must admit its guilt. Third, those responsible must be punished, held criminally liable, and the Azerbaijani state, as well as the injured passengers and crew members, must be compensated. These are our conditions. The first of them was fulfilled yesterday. I hope they will accept other conditions as well. All these demands are fair. There are no extraordinary demands and issues here; all this is based on international experience and normal human behavior," Aliyev noted. Russian President Vladimir Putin phoned Ilham Aliyev again after the interview was aired.
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News
Obituary: Bachuki Kardava

Obituary: Bachuki Kardava

Bachuki Kardava, Georgian  Politician and leader of the National Democratic Party died at the age of 54. Dennis Sammut wrote this short  obituary for commonspace.eu: I met Bachuki Kardava for the first time in 1995, He was then the President of the NDPs youth wing. It was shortly after the death of Gia Chanturia leader of the National Democrats also at a young age. Bachuki had worked closely with Gia Chanturia and missed him both as a friend and as political mentor. In those turbulent times of the mid 1990s Bachuki was always helpful and supportive, a  great friend to the tiny but vibrant international community in Georgia at the time. He was frustrated by the developments within the National Democratic Party and missed the wisdom of Gia  Chanturia. In the mid 1990s the NDP was the second strongest political force in Georgia. But that moment passed and when he became leader of the party in 2003 Bachuki Kardava could not bring back its  past glory. He died at the young age of 54. I extend my sincere condolences to all his family and friends
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News
Azerbaijan mourns crash of Azal plane and death of 38 persons

Azerbaijan mourns crash of Azal plane and death of 38 persons

n Baku, flags on official buildings and embassies of foreign countries flew at half mast Thursday (26 December) as Azerbaijan observed a day of mourning following the crash of an AZAL plane which resulted in the death of 38 passengers and crew. The plane was on  a scheduled flight from Baku to Grozny, but was diverted to Kazakhstan because of bad weather. President Ilham Aliyev was informed of the crash whilst on his way to St Petersburg where he was to attend the informal CIS summit hosted by President Putin. He ordered his plan to return to Baku to lead the Azerbaijani response to the crash. Azerbaijani media speculated about the causes  of the crash, with some outlets saying that it was hit by a Chechen missile whilst approaching Grozny.