Opportunity to Strengthen Deterrence and Advance US Interests: Georgia as a Transit Hub Between Europe and Asia
Abstract
The Chinese Belt and Road Initiative is a global infrastructure development strategy involving one hundred forty countries across Europe, Asia, and Africa, including their adjacent seas. China advertises the grand project as a golden opportunity to ensure a prosperous future, increase interconnectivity, deepen political trust, enhance cultural exchanges, and promote peace among nations. The ambitious plan allows China to become a central economic hub in the world and achieve global primacy. Georgia, as a bridge between Europe and Asia, joined the BRI as a participating economy with several infrastructure projects to include the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway, the East-West highway, and the Anaklia Deep Sea Port. In this regard, Chinese construction companies have already begun to work on some infrastructure development projects in Georgia. In addition to its unique geographical location, Georgia has an open economy and multiple Free Trade Agreements with a number of states, which further attracts many external actors. Indeed, the small country has a significant potential to become a transit hub between Europe and Asia, which is an opportunity to boost the economy, strengthen deterrence, and advance US interest in the region. However, the BRI may pose a threat to the participant states by putting them into the Chinese economic debt trap in an attempt to develop required infrastructure. In this respect, Georgia is a vulnerable state due to its poor economy. Thus, American and European companies should take the lead in developing key infrastructure in Georgia to transform the country into a regional transit hub and counterweigh Chinas expanding influence.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 28, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1178123
Entities
People
- Ilia Mosashvili
Organizations
- Marine Corps University