In the swirling political storm that has engulfed Georgia, a provocative question emerges: Could BRICS be the lifeline Georgia needs in its moment of geopolitical uncertainty?
Georgia Unrest "a fight for a dear life" former UN Military advisor in Georgia Stanislav Krapivnik
PATRICK LANCASTER
DEC 01, 2024
Georgia Unrest: "A Fight for Dear Life" – Insights from Former UN Military Advisor Stanislav Krapivnik
In a special interview, journalist Patrick Lancaster sat down with Stas Krapivnik, a former U.S. Army officer and military advisor to the United Nations in Georgia, to discuss the escalating situation in Georgia. Over the past few days, protests have erupted in Tbilisi and beyond, following the government’s controversial decision to delay European Union accession talks until 2028. Krapivnik, who has deep ties to Georgia and firsthand experience with its political landscape, described the unrest as a critical moment for the nation, calling it a "fight for dear life."(for the Government and county as a whole)
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A Veteran’s Perspective on Georgia
Stas Krapivnik brings a unique viewpoint to the discussion, having served as a military advisor in Georgia in the early 2000s, during a time of heightened tensions with Abkhazia. Reflecting on his experiences, Krapivnik emphasized the stakes for Georgia today, which he described as being caught between two stark choices: development or destruction.
"If they (the government) lose," Krapivnik warned, "Georgia will die. It’s going to be made into another Ukraine, a very small Ukraine, and used to start a war with Russia."
This blunt assessment highlights the gravity of the current unrest and its potential to reshape the region’s geopolitical dynamics.
Roots of the Unrest
Krapivnik traced the roots of the protests to the Western pressure on Georgia to align with EU and NATO policies, often at odds with the country’s traditional values and national interests. He pointed to the growing dissatisfaction with Western influence among a significant portion of the Georgian population.
"When the West was working on Georgia from a financial and economic standpoint, and with some Russophobia, they were making headway. But the problem is, that’s always phase one," Krapivnik explained. "Phase two is the destruction of your culture, attacks on the church, on the family, and pushing LGBTQ agendas."
For many Georgians, these pressures have become a "bridge too far," resulting in a shift in political sentiment that favors a more cautious approach to EU integration.
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The Foreign Agents Bill and Its Implications
Krapivnik highlighted the significance of Georgia’s recent foreign agents bill, which has been a focal point of the unrest. Modeled on similar laws in the United States and Russia, the bill aims to increase transparency around foreign funding of NGOs and political movements. Critics, including Western governments, have labeled it anti-democratic.
"The Georgian Dream party pushed through this bill because of growing frustration with American money being funneled through NGOs to fund destabilizing activities," Krapivnik said. "The problem is, the biggest foreign agent in Georgia is actually its president, Salome Zourabichvili."
Zourabichvili, a French-born politician with ties to Western institutions, has been accused by Krapivnik and others of undermining Georgia’s sovereignty to serve Western interests.
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Who Are the Protesters?
The protests in Georgia have drawn significant international attention, but Krapivnik questioned their legitimacy as a representation of the Georgian population.
"Are they all Georgians? Far from it," Krapivnik stated, noting the presence of foreign nationals, including Russian liberals, Ukrainians, and Western activists. "About 20% of the protesters are foreigners, some of whom are paid to destabilize the situation."
He compared the current unrest to Ukraine’s Maidan protests in 2014, drawing parallels in the involvement of external actors and the potential for escalation into violence.
Georgia’s Two Paths: Prosperity or War
For Krapivnik, Georgia faces a clear choice: embrace its current trajectory of economic growth and stability or risk becoming a pawn in larger geopolitical conflicts. He noted that Georgia’s economy has grown significantly in recent years, fueled by investments from Russia, China, and the Middle East.
"Georgia has large-scale infrastructure projects underway, like the six-lane highway connecting Poti to Gori, and the redevelopment of Poti as a major port," Krapivnik said. "It’s either that or war."
The alternative, he warned, is catastrophic: "The West is pushing Georgia to become a second front against Russia. But the majority of Georgians don’t want that. They’ve seen what’s happened in Ukraine and Moldova, and they don’t want the same fate."
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A Stark Warning for the Georgian Government
Krapivnik concluded the interview with a warning: the Georgian government must remain firm in the face of external pressures and internal unrest. Unlike Ukraine’s leadership during the Maidan protests, he believes Georgia’s leaders have shown greater resolve.
"The Georgian government is much more proactive and willing to use force if needed. They understand that these protests are not about democracy but about overthrowing their government and destroying their society," Krapivnik said.
He added that the use of force is often the only way to prevent color revolutions from spiraling out of control: "We’ve seen this playbook before. The only solution is to confront it decisively."
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Final Thoughts: Georgia at a Crossroads
For Kropivnik, the situation in Georgia is about more than protests or politics—it’s about the survival of the nation itself. As he put it, "This is a fight for dear life."
With the world watching, Georgia’s future remains uncertain. Will it continue its path of sovereignty and development, or will it succumb to the pressures of becoming a battleground in a larger geopolitical conflict? For now, the Georgian government appears determined to chart its own course, but the challenges ahead are immense.
Patrick Lancaster’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
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8 Restacks
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m cameron
13h
From someone living there now, theres a bunch of CIA trying to
stir things up & its not working. The people arent going for it so stop spreading lies & warmongering. Dont you have any contacts there you could get some truth from Patrick?
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Patrick Lancaster
13h
If you are in there lets have a chat and maybe a podcast?
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m cameron
13h
No I am not but Victor Hugo is- hes on Odysee
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m cameron
13h
He was asked that specifically that a few days ago & I posted his reply. We have enough global unrest rt?
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Richard C. Cook
14h
We are in WWIII. The front is the massive line separating the Anglo-American-Zionist Empire from the rest of the world. Georgia, like Ukraine, is on that line. The Empire's strategy is to use proxy terrorists to take over, then move its armies closer to the enemy, currently identified as BRICS+. Thanks God there are people in Georgia who recognize this. We can pray for them.
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Callura Michael
12h
Why do GEORGIANS (Minority backed by WESTERN FASCIST NGOS)want to be part of FASCIST EUROPEAN UNION,USA,NATO? All they offer are PROXY WARS INITIATED BY USA/NATO so AMERICANS AND WESTERN EUROPEANS DONT DIE . Georgians will be enslaved by DEBT AND DEATH to keep USA FASCIST HEGEMONY ALIVE. Georgians deserve Sovereignty,Territorial Integrity that WESTERN DEMOCRATIC FASCISM will not give them. After Ukraine Proxy War is settled (will be). American Fascist investors (Blackrock,JP Morgan Chase,IMF,WORLD BANK(both controlled by USA GOVERNMENT etc) will own what’s left of Western Ukraine AND THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE. Only Eastern Ukrainians in the RUSSIAN FEDERATION WILL KNOW WHAT SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY REALLY MEANS
When the Caucuses were occupied in the time of Catherine the Great, the British Empire found the area to be a prime location to mess with Russia much as they do in the recent times with the various color revolutions they've run. in the 1830's the British deployed David Urquhart (one of Karl Marx's handlers) to stir up the tribes in the area and arm them for a conflict with Russia that resulted in a million ultimately killed before the uprising was put down. General Dudayev after getting assistance from the Bush administration and Thatcher launched the two 1990's wars using Afghanistan Jihadi assets that resulted in a humiliating defeat for the ailing Soviet Union. In 2008 the Soros/NED funded Rose Revolution which put Mikhail Saaskashvili in the presidency from which he began a war in South Ossetia against Russian UN troops which had been there from 1994. The recent provocations are no different. Of course the BRICS would mean a much more fair and equitable situation for Georgia but the area has traditionally been used for destabilization purposes.
Georgia Unrest "a fight for a dear life" former UN Military advisor in Georgia Stanislav Krapivnik
PATRICK LANCASTER
DEC 01, 2024
Georgia Unrest: "A Fight for Dear Life" – Insights from Former UN Military Advisor Stanislav Krapivnik
In a special interview, journalist Patrick Lancaster sat down with Stas Krapivnik, a former U.S. Army officer and military advisor to the United Nations in Georgia, to discuss the escalating situation in Georgia. Over the past few days, protests have erupted in Tbilisi and beyond, following the government’s controversial decision to delay European Union accession talks until 2028. Krapivnik, who has deep ties to Georgia and firsthand experience with its political landscape, described the unrest as a critical moment for the nation, calling it a "fight for dear life."(for the Government and county as a whole)
Share
Subscribe
A Veteran’s Perspective on Georgia
Stas Krapivnik brings a unique viewpoint to the discussion, having served as a military advisor in Georgia in the early 2000s, during a time of heightened tensions with Abkhazia. Reflecting on his experiences, Krapivnik emphasized the stakes for Georgia today, which he described as being caught between two stark choices: development or destruction.
"If they (the government) lose," Krapivnik warned, "Georgia will die. It’s going to be made into another Ukraine, a very small Ukraine, and used to start a war with Russia."
This blunt assessment highlights the gravity of the current unrest and its potential to reshape the region’s geopolitical dynamics.
Roots of the Unrest
Krapivnik traced the roots of the protests to the Western pressure on Georgia to align with EU and NATO policies, often at odds with the country’s traditional values and national interests. He pointed to the growing dissatisfaction with Western influence among a significant portion of the Georgian population.
"When the West was working on Georgia from a financial and economic standpoint, and with some Russophobia, they were making headway. But the problem is, that’s always phase one," Krapivnik explained. "Phase two is the destruction of your culture, attacks on the church, on the family, and pushing LGBTQ agendas."
For many Georgians, these pressures have become a "bridge too far," resulting in a shift in political sentiment that favors a more cautious approach to EU integration.
Subscribe
The Foreign Agents Bill and Its Implications
Krapivnik highlighted the significance of Georgia’s recent foreign agents bill, which has been a focal point of the unrest. Modeled on similar laws in the United States and Russia, the bill aims to increase transparency around foreign funding of NGOs and political movements. Critics, including Western governments, have labeled it anti-democratic.
"The Georgian Dream party pushed through this bill because of growing frustration with American money being funneled through NGOs to fund destabilizing activities," Krapivnik said. "The problem is, the biggest foreign agent in Georgia is actually its president, Salome Zourabichvili."
Zourabichvili, a French-born politician with ties to Western institutions, has been accused by Krapivnik and others of undermining Georgia’s sovereignty to serve Western interests.
Leave a comment
Who Are the Protesters?
The protests in Georgia have drawn significant international attention, but Krapivnik questioned their legitimacy as a representation of the Georgian population.
"Are they all Georgians? Far from it," Krapivnik stated, noting the presence of foreign nationals, including Russian liberals, Ukrainians, and Western activists. "About 20% of the protesters are foreigners, some of whom are paid to destabilize the situation."
He compared the current unrest to Ukraine’s Maidan protests in 2014, drawing parallels in the involvement of external actors and the potential for escalation into violence.
Georgia’s Two Paths: Prosperity or War
For Krapivnik, Georgia faces a clear choice: embrace its current trajectory of economic growth and stability or risk becoming a pawn in larger geopolitical conflicts. He noted that Georgia’s economy has grown significantly in recent years, fueled by investments from Russia, China, and the Middle East.
"Georgia has large-scale infrastructure projects underway, like the six-lane highway connecting Poti to Gori, and the redevelopment of Poti as a major port," Krapivnik said. "It’s either that or war."
The alternative, he warned, is catastrophic: "The West is pushing Georgia to become a second front against Russia. But the majority of Georgians don’t want that. They’ve seen what’s happened in Ukraine and Moldova, and they don’t want the same fate."
Subscribe
A Stark Warning for the Georgian Government
Krapivnik concluded the interview with a warning: the Georgian government must remain firm in the face of external pressures and internal unrest. Unlike Ukraine’s leadership during the Maidan protests, he believes Georgia’s leaders have shown greater resolve.
"The Georgian government is much more proactive and willing to use force if needed. They understand that these protests are not about democracy but about overthrowing their government and destroying their society," Krapivnik said.
He added that the use of force is often the only way to prevent color revolutions from spiraling out of control: "We’ve seen this playbook before. The only solution is to confront it decisively."
Share
Final Thoughts: Georgia at a Crossroads
For Kropivnik, the situation in Georgia is about more than protests or politics—it’s about the survival of the nation itself. As he put it, "This is a fight for dear life."
With the world watching, Georgia’s future remains uncertain. Will it continue its path of sovereignty and development, or will it succumb to the pressures of becoming a battleground in a larger geopolitical conflict? For now, the Georgian government appears determined to chart its own course, but the challenges ahead are immense.
Patrick Lancaster’s Substack is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.
Subscribe
35 Likes
·
8 Restacks
Discussion about this podcast
Comments
Restacks
m cameron
13h
From someone living there now, theres a bunch of CIA trying to
stir things up & its not working. The people arent going for it so stop spreading lies & warmongering. Dont you have any contacts there you could get some truth from Patrick?
LIKE (4)
REPLY (1)
SHARE
Patrick Lancaster
13h
If you are in there lets have a chat and maybe a podcast?
LIKE (1)
REPLY (2)
SHARE
m cameron
13h
No I am not but Victor Hugo is- hes on Odysee
LIKE (1)
REPLY
SHARE
m cameron
13h
He was asked that specifically that a few days ago & I posted his reply. We have enough global unrest rt?
LIKE
REPLY
SHARE
Richard C. Cook
14h
We are in WWIII. The front is the massive line separating the Anglo-American-Zionist Empire from the rest of the world. Georgia, like Ukraine, is on that line. The Empire's strategy is to use proxy terrorists to take over, then move its armies closer to the enemy, currently identified as BRICS+. Thanks God there are people in Georgia who recognize this. We can pray for them.
LIKE (2)
REPLY
SHARE
Callura Michael
12h
Why do GEORGIANS (Minority backed by WESTERN FASCIST NGOS)want to be part of FASCIST EUROPEAN UNION,USA,NATO? All they offer are PROXY WARS INITIATED BY USA/NATO so AMERICANS AND WESTERN EUROPEANS DONT DIE . Georgians will be enslaved by DEBT AND DEATH to keep USA FASCIST HEGEMONY ALIVE. Georgians deserve Sovereignty,Territorial Integrity that WESTERN DEMOCRATIC FASCISM will not give them. After Ukraine Proxy War is settled (will be). American Fascist investors (Blackrock,JP Morgan Chase,IMF,WORLD BANK(both controlled by USA GOVERNMENT etc) will own what’s left of Western Ukraine AND THE UKRAINIAN PEOPLE. Only Eastern Ukrainians in the RUSSIAN FEDERATION WILL KNOW WHAT SOVEREIGNTY AND TERRITORIAL INTEGRITY REALLY MEANS
Everyone should join BRICS, even here in Australia.
When the Caucuses were occupied in the time of Catherine the Great, the British Empire found the area to be a prime location to mess with Russia much as they do in the recent times with the various color revolutions they've run. in the 1830's the British deployed David Urquhart (one of Karl Marx's handlers) to stir up the tribes in the area and arm them for a conflict with Russia that resulted in a million ultimately killed before the uprising was put down. General Dudayev after getting assistance from the Bush administration and Thatcher launched the two 1990's wars using Afghanistan Jihadi assets that resulted in a humiliating defeat for the ailing Soviet Union. In 2008 the Soros/NED funded Rose Revolution which put Mikhail Saaskashvili in the presidency from which he began a war in South Ossetia against Russian UN troops which had been there from 1994. The recent provocations are no different. Of course the BRICS would mean a much more fair and equitable situation for Georgia but the area has traditionally been used for destabilization purposes.