Conflict analyst: “Georgia lags behind Armenia and Azerbaijan despite greater potential”

Georgia has more resources and opportunities than Armenia and Azerbaijan but is currently shamefully lagging behind, said conflict analyst Paata Zakareishvili, calling the situation a “catastrophe.”

Speaking to reporters, Zakareishvili argued that Georgia remains “in Russia’s orbit” while its neighbors have capitalized on new geopolitical opportunities.

“Never in the history of the Caucasus has a leading global power like the United States been so seriously interested in the region. This means that for at least the next 100 years there will be no war in the Caucasus,” he said, adding that Russia is now powerless in the region and that Turkey’s NATO membership creates unique conditions for Georgia’s security.

Zakareishvili criticized the ruling Georgian Dream party for “misleading the public” and missing opportunities to integrate further with NATO through peaceful means. “Today, Azerbaijan is more of a NATO member than Georgia — even though Georgia’s constitution enshrines NATO membership as a goal,” he said.

He stressed there is no threat of renewed war in Georgia and rejected claims to the contrary as “lies.”

His comments come as US President Donald Trump hosts Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the White House. Trump announced that the US will sign bilateral agreements with both countries to jointly harness economic opportunities and fully realize the South Caucasus region’s potential.