This is the second publication of the collection of analytical articles – ‘Georgia and International Politics’, which combines contributions regarding ongoing processes both on international and regional political arenas.

Structural changes in contemporary international politics are rather apparent. Overt competition among great powers has a decisive impact on both global and regional politics. Competition between the US and China continues to increase globally as well as regionally in Indo-Pacific, while the Russian aggression perpetrated against Ukraine completely reformatted how European security is understood. Geopolitical identity of the EU becomes further delineated, namely in terms of competition with China and revival of the enlargement policy. Efforts exerted by various actors to establish peace in South Caucasus also only grew following the Second Karabakh War.

Among other focal points, presented articles concentrate precisely on said issues. The First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia, Lasha Darsalia, contributing as an invited author, discusses Georgia’s Peaceful Neighbourhood Initiative, along with the country’s vision and role in ensuring long-term regional stability and prosperity.

In their deliberations authors touch upon various aspects of international and regional politics. Ana Chitaladze analyzes factors contributing to the existing crisis in Europe’s security architecture, noting that the central cause can be attributed to Russia’s aspiration to regain the great power status, viewing international politics through the lens of spheres of influence, where smaller nations enjoy only limited sovereignty. David Pipinashvili discusses the latest development in Sino-EU relations, underscoring two factors, namely value-based competition among the two poles, as well as more concrete trade relations. Lika Chipashvili examines EU’s enlargement policies, presenting the dilemma faced by Brussels, whether to further focus on the integration of current member-states, or continue outward enlargement. Considering the submission of applications for accession into the organization by Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova, the author underscores the necessity to fundamentally review EU’s enlargement policies, with the awarding of the candidacy status to the above-mentioned ‘Associated Trio’ acting as a tangible manifestation of the renewed approach.

Achievements and challenges faced within the framework of the Eastern Partnership Initiative enacted 13 years ago is analyzed by Baia Kapanadze, who underscores that EU’s response to the applications of the ‘Associated Trio’ for accession into the organization will bear pivotal significance for the further development of the partnership. Imedi (Ivi) Alshibaia discusses the trilateral military partnership between the United States of America, the United Kingdom and Australia (AUKUS), as well as its influence on the global stage. The author deliberates upon additional instruments for the strengthening of security in Georgia via the prism of ‘minilateralism.’

I hope that you will find the outlined issues and conclusions reached by authors interesting, providing food for thought across a vast variety of subjects.

*Note: the main articles of the Analytical Collection were written before May of 2022

Irakli Sirbiladze

Editor-in-chief of the Analytical Collection