Georgia: Background and U.S. Policy
Abstract
Georgia is one of the United States closest partners among the post-Soviet states that gained their independence after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. With a history of strong economic aid and security cooperation, the United States has deepened its strategic partnership with Georgia since Russias 2008 invasion of Georgia and 2014 invasion of Ukraine. U.S. policy expressly supports Georgias sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognized borders, and Georgia is a leading recipient of U.S. aid in Europe and Eurasia. Many observers consider Georgia to have a hybrid political system, containing both democratic and nondemocratic elements. The center-left Georgian Dream-Democratic Georgia (GD) party has governed Georgia since2012. Controversy over the October 2020 parliamentary elections, an opposition boycott of parliament, and the February2021 arrest of opposition leader Nika Melia have led to heightened political tensions. European Union (EU) efforts to mediate Georgias political crisis have been unsuccessful. Although Georgia faces high rates of poverty and underemployment, its economy entered a period of relatively strong growth in 2017. In 2020, due to the impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, Georgias gross domestic product declined by an estimated 6%.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 14, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1170124
Entities
People
- Cory Welt
Organizations
- Library of Congress