The Intelligence from The Economist Georgia undermined: protests and a hunger strike
Nov 18, 2021
Arkady Ostrovsky, Russia and Eastern Europe editor for The Economist, dives into the political unrest in Georgia surrounding former President Mikheil Saakashvili's hunger strike and the rising authoritarianism. Hal Hodson, the publication's Technology correspondent, reveals the alarming growth of Chinese state-sponsored industrial espionage, detailing the implications for U.S.-China tensions. They also explore the nuances of evolving language with words like 'green-light' and 'gaslight', shedding light on linguistic variations.
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Saakashvili's Reforms and the 2008 War
- Mikheil Saakashvili, a U.S.-educated lawyer, successfully reformed post-Soviet Georgia.
- His reforms modernized the country and broke with its Soviet legacy, leading to a 2008 war with Russia.
Saakashvili's Return and Arrest
- Saakashvili returned to Georgia from exile in Ukraine and was promptly arrested.
- He aimed to rally opposition against the increasingly authoritarian Georgian Dream party.
Government's Treatment of Saakashvili
- The Georgian government's treatment of Saakashvili, including releasing a humiliating video, seems intentionally degrading.
- The government's actions are perceived as arrogant and imprudent.