By David Sole
As the Russian Federation armies battle US/NATO organized Ukrainian troops in the Donbas region another front in this global class war is shaping up about 700 miles to the southwest in Tbilisi, the capital of the nation of Georgia. And just as Ukraine became a tool of US imperialism in a proxy war, forces in Georgia are mobilizing to open a southern front against Russia at the behest of western imperialism.
Georgia has a population of fewer than 4 million people. It was a part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) until 1991 when Georgia became independent. Nationalist elements in Georgia have repeatedly pushed for closer relations with the European Union and NATO.
Tensions with Russia broke out in fighting in several areas of Georgia over the years, including a short war in 2008. In recent months there has been an escalation of protests centered in Tbilisi over several pieces of legislation. One issue has been a draft law that would require groups funded by foreign money to register as foreign agents. This is the law in many nations, including in the US.
The numerous protests and, even riots, appear to be a nascent coup directed at the current administration in power. The pro-Western forces, no doubt with the collaboration of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), could be evolving toward another military confrontation to draw in Russia. This would constitute a “southern front” in the Ukraine war.
Even the New York Times was compelled to admit the similarities with the CIA organized coup in Ukraine in 2014. A December 12 Times article was titled “In Georgia Protests, Echoes of Ukraine’s Past Revolutions.” It points out that the Georgian government was under attack as it “cools to the European Union and drifts closer to Moscow.”
The Times goes on: “[W]hat concerns people here and beyond are the unmistakable echoes of Ukraine’s popular revolution in 2014 that succeeded in pulling the country away from Moscow but ultimately resulted in a devastating war.” A trigger point came when: “the ruling party announced it was postponing its effort to join the European Union.” In Ukraine, before the coup, the elected government favored a more neutral position between Europe and the Russian Federation.
The Times had to admit that “the United States and its European allies have also tried to sway events in Georgia, supporting nonprofit organizations and segments of the population striving to bring the country closer to the West – at times rankling Georgia’s government.”
The Georgian government recognizes the delicate position it is in bordering Russia and has opted for a “pragmatic” approach. In November it suspended for four years the efforts to join the EU. And, while at first joining in the economic sanctions against Russia, the government stopped following them and renewed trade relations with their northern neighbor.
Georgia also refused a Ukrainian demand that would facilitate passage of military volunteers to travel to Ukraine and fight the Russian army. The ruling party won October elections promising to stay out of that war and to avoid the massive death and destruction that Ukraine has suffered as the willing proxy to western imperialism.
The US and its allies care little for the fate of the people of Georgia. They don’t care that enmeshing them in a war with Russia would be a tragic, bloody disaster. The imperialists are willing to manipulate the situation no matter what the cost to Georgia if it will add to Russia’s woes. They are desperate to find anything that might slow the inexorable Russian advance all across Ukraine.
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