THREATS OF RUSSIAN HARD AND SOFT POWER IN GEORGIA Tbilisi 2016 THREATS OF RUSSIAN HARD AND SOFT POWER IN GEORGIA European Initiative - Liberal Academy Tbilisi is a non-governmental, nonprofit organisation, committed to promote core democratic values, supporting peace-building and European and Euro-Atlantic integration and with that foster- ing the democratic development. The views, opinions and statements expressed by the authors and those providing comments are theirs only and do not necessarily reflect the position of ”The German Marshal Fund of The United States” . Therefore, the ”The German Marshal Fund of The United States” is not responsible for the content of the information material. Project Director: Lasha Tughushi Reviewer: Davit Aprasidze Administrative Supervisor:Ana Tsikhelashvili Project team: Russian Soft Power:Lasha Tugushi, Malkhaz Gagua, Gogita Gvedashvili, Nino Lapachi Economic Analysis: Giorgi Gaganidze Security Perceptions of the Russian - Georgian Confrontation Process:Giorgi Dzebisashvili Military Threats from Russia, Conflict zones; and its Regional Dimension:Giorgi Muchaidze Political and Socioeconomic Situations in the Conflict Regions:Levan Geradze Security Sector: Davit Sikharulidze Editing: Irina Kakoiashvili, Alina chaganava, Alastair George Maclaud Watt, Inge Snip Design: Elena Eltisheva , Aleko Jikuridze, Translation: Tamar Neparidze, Lali Buskivadze © European Initiative - Liberal Academy Tbilisi 50/1 Rustaveli av.,0108, Tbilisi, Georgia Tel/Fax: + (995 32) 293 11 28 Website http://www.ei-lat.ge Email:
[email protected] THREATS OF RUSSIAN HARD AND SOFT POWER IN GEORGIA PREface Russia has been playing an extremely negative role in Georgia’s modern development. This is demonstrated by the de-facto annexation of almost 20% of the territory of Georgia, and also by constant attempts to change the foreign policy choices that Georgia has made, as well as their excessive interference in the domestic political processes and explicit usage of various methods of influence, including aggression.