Georgia
Opinion: Why Putin puts his neighbor Georgia on edge
![Opinion: Why Putin puts his neighbor Georgia on edge](https://cdn.cnn.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/220509191835-presidente-rusia-vladimir-putin-discurso-occidente-responsable-guerra-dia-victoria-super-tease.jpg)
It is a nation the place anti-Russia sentiment runs very sturdy right now and indicators of help for Ukraine are in all places. On Rustaveli Avenue, Tbilisi’s picturesque and bustling foremost drag, aged ladies sat promoting pins, flags, wristbands and different merchandise emblazoned with the Ukrainian flag or pro-Ukraine messages.
Many eating places have indicators on their doorways welcoming “all who imagine Putin is a conflict legal” and the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag, reasonably than the purple and white of the Georgian flag. Blue and yellow now appear to be the official colours of the nation.
Tensions between Georgians and Russians in Tbilisi are excessive at occasions. One Georgian good friend greeted me once we met for espresso by saying, “Welcome to Tbilisi, essentially the most Russian metropolis within the Caucasus.” One other good friend instructed me tales about Russians toasting their troops, and nearly beginning a struggle, in a tiny Tbilisi restaurant.
Not like right now in Ukraine, the remainder of the world did primarily nothing on the time. Some right here concern the West would reply equally if Russia invaded once more. Others with whom I spoke imagine the western unity and steadfastness towards Russia and in help of Ukraine would prolong to Georgia within the occasion of an invasion. Most would reasonably not discover out.
Throughout the Georgian political spectrum, concern about one other Russian invasion is palpable. One member of Parliament affiliated with the ruling occasion instructed me his concern had been that if Putin had gotten his fast victory in Ukraine, he would have turned to Georgia subsequent. However a number of teachers and activists have indicated that if Putin continues to wrestle in Ukraine, he’ll want a fast victory someplace and he may flip to Georgia.
An elder statesman of Georgian international coverage and longtime Georgian diplomat cautioned that Putin was sufficiently unpredictable that he may invade Georgia at any time for any cause or no actual cause in any respect.
In my dialog final week with Georgia’s President Salome Zourabichvili, which happened within the presidential palace, the entrance of which is bedecked with large Georgian and Ukrainian flags, she summarized Georgia’s issues. “In the present day they (Russia) might not do one thing, however tomorrow one can not exclude that they might wish to do one thing face saving,” whereas including that, for Georgia, “the prevention is dependent upon unity inside our nation and stronger ties with our allies.”
The conflict has exacerbated current political tensions on this very polarized nation. Folks near the federal government emphasised the necessity to keep away from conflict — even when that meant not taking a rhetorically robust line on Russia — was important. A number of folks nearer to the opposition, together with one member of Parliament with the main opposition occasion, thought the federal government, regardless of collaborating within the US led sanctions regime, was being approach too conciliatory in the direction of Russia.
Strikingly, Saakashvili’s plight and even the opposition drumbeat of accusations that the federal government was getting its marching orders from the Kremlin, appeared to fade into the background due to the conflict, as few Georgians with whom I spoke have been targeted on the limitless feud between Saakashvili and former Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili that has outlined Georgian politics for over a decade.
Regardless of the daunting scenario confronting Georgia, Zourabichvili noticed a ray of sunshine for her nation due to newfound European unity towards the Kremlin. “We now have a gap and an opportunity that was not there earlier than the conflict, which is a gap to the European Union, we now have no proper to forgo that probability,” she instructed me.
NATO and the EU are unlikely to be in Georgia or Moldova’s quick future, however the conflict in Ukraine is altering worldwide politics and geopolitical realities. If the conflict doesn’t escalate, and Georgia and Moldova are spared additional Russian invasion, it might certainly be attainable for them to craft stronger safety preparations or speed up longstanding international coverage objectives, however it is usually attainable that they might discover themselves dragged right into a conflict with Russia whereas being unsure who, if anybody, will assist them.
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Georgia
Georgia anti-LGBTQ+ bill passes first parliamentary reading
![Georgia anti-LGBTQ+ bill passes first parliamentary reading](https://www.jurist.org/news/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2024/05/Parliament_of_Georgia_in_Kutaisi.jpg)
An anti-LGBTQ+ bill passed its first reading in Georgian parliament on Thursday despite “concerns across the international community.” While the bill aims to protect “family values and minors,” it has received criticism for its incompatibility with human rights and impact on LGBTQ+ citizens.
Introduced earlier this year by the Georgian Dream party, the bill was passed unanimously following its first reading in parliament, with 78 votes in favor. Though intended to upkeep family values, the bill’s content would heavily impact LGBTQ+ human rights. Transgender individuals are particularly targeted, as the bill bans “any medical intervention aimed at changing sex” and requires any state documents to indicate male or female “in compliance with genetic data,” preventing transgender people from stating their preferred gender. Furthermore, the bill bans gatherings and materials that would promote “changing sex by medical intervention,” or that would promote same-sex families and same-sex intimate relationships. This includes any materials that would ban the promotion of adoption or fostering of children by same-sex couples, which is also prohibited under this bill.
Prior to being passed in its first reading, the Venice Commission critiqued and analyzed the legislation’s compliance with international human rights standards. They concluded that most of the bill’s provisions breached human rights, specifically the right to private life, the right to be protected against discrimination, the right to freedom of information, and the right to freedom of assembly. They acknowledged that while “certain sections of the Georgian population may have a negative attitude towards LGBTI people,” this did not justify the legislation’s incompatibility with human rights. The Commission suggested the authorities “reconsider this legislative proposal entirely and . . . not proceed with its adoption.”
Although the bill has received criticism, the spring legislative session in Georgia will end this week. Therefore, this bill will likely resume its legislative process in September.
Georgia
Georgia rated as top overall team in EA Sports College Football 25
![Georgia rated as top overall team in EA Sports College Football 25](https://on3static.com/uploads/dev/assets/cms/2024/06/27214003/georgia-2.jpg)
The final release of Rankings Week for EA Sports College Football 25 was announced on Friday, and of course that would be overall team ratings. Georgia, who had the No. 1 offense and No. 2 defense according to the creators of the highly anticipated video game, comes in with an overall rating of 95 to lead the way as the nation’s No. 1 team.
Ohio State (93), Oregon (93), Alabama (92) and Texas (92) round out the top five. The Bulldogs will play both the Crimson Tide and Longhorns this season as part of the new-look SEC. On top of that, No. 6 Clemson (90) is also on the schedule as the season-opener on August 31st, as is No. 15 Ole Miss (88) later in the season in Oxford.
EA SPORTS TEAM POWER RANKINGS
- Georgia (95)
- Ohio State (93)
- Oregon (93)
- Alabama (92)
- Texas (92)
- Clemson (90)
- Notre Dame (90)
- LSU (90)
- Penn State (88)
- Utah (88)
- Michigan (88)
- Florida State (88)
- Miami (88)
- Texas A&M (88)
- Ole Miss (88)
- Colorado (87)
- Oklahoma (87)
- Wisconsin (87)
- USC (87)
- Virginia Tech (87)
- NC State (87)
- Kansas (87)
- Arizona (87)
- Oklahoma State (87)
- Iowa (87)
Georgia is going to be led by quarterback Carson Beck – who can be expected to be among the game’s highest ranked players. The preseason Heisman Trophy favorite broke a school record for completion percentage last season, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards at a 72.4% rate.
Beck will have support surrounding him too on both side of the ball. The Bulldogs’ top playmakers include wide receivers Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell and Colbie Young, among others, running back Trevor Etienne, tight ends Oscar Delp and Ben Yurosek and an All-American caliber defensive trio of Mykel Williams, Smael Mondon and Malaki Starks. That’s just a few of the big time contributors for Kirby Smart and company as Georgia enters as Vegas’ pick to bring home the first title of the 12-team College Football Playoff era.
EA Sports is continuing to keep college football fans anxiously awaiting EA Sports College Football 25, releasing information in bits and pieces about the anticipated game. Details about sights and sounds, gameplay and more have people excited, and the expected announcement of team ratings on Friday has folks on the edge of their seat. Individual player ratings will come at a later date, but like with everything else so far, it’s fair to say that Georgia will be heavily involved in that too.
Release date is set for July 19th on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S. Those that pre-order the premium bundles will receive early access starting July 16th.
Georgia
Georgia Bar honors Columbia County DA Bobby Christine for work with military
![Georgia Bar honors Columbia County DA Bobby Christine for work with military](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/06/26/NAUG/74222472007-download.png?auto=webp&crop=1799,1012,x0,y0&format=pjpg&width=1200)
The State Bar of Georgia Military/Veterans Law Section recently honored Columbia Judicial Circuit District Attorney Bobby L. Christine, of Evans, with the Marshall-Tuttle Award.
The Marshall-Tuttle Award is presented annually to a lawyer who provides outstanding legal assistance to service members and veterans, according to a news release from the state bar.
Christine, a major general in the U.S. Army National Guard, serves as the senior uniformed Judge Advocate General in the Guard, spanning all 50 states and four U.S. territories, according to the release. He was presented the award this month during the annual meeting of the State Bar of Georgia.
The award is named in honor and memory of Army Cpl. Evan Andrew Marshall, a soldier from Athens, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2008, and U.S. Circuit Judge Elbert Parr Tuttle, who served in the U.S. Army for 30 years, according to the release.
Prior to becoming the district attorney for Columbia County, Christine served as a judge in Columbia County Magistrate Court and as U.S. attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
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