Georgian president calls for protests after ruling party wins disputed election

Fraudulent elections must be called out.

Georgians don't want war with Russia and voted for peace.

Sad that the outcome of an election will determine whether Russia attacks or not.

Twenty four hours after the vote there is no evidence that the election were illegal. Trying to mount a case for the usual interests.

burgers and beersToday 01:20 pm JST

Opposition just following the standard color revolution textbook Washington provided.

Yes colors are bad. Voter outreach is bad. Sounds very rational.

What a really scummy attitude. The voters decided and certain quarters just can't accept it. Typical because they subscribe to the belief colour revolutions are consistent with public decency.

Let's be honest - the arch crime committed here is preventing Georgia from becoming the next Ukraine and being sucked in by foreign quarters to be manipulated as a puppet.

Georgian Dream's reclusive billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili, who campaigned heavily on keeping Georgia out of the war in Ukraine, hailed the party's victory on Saturday night after its strongest performance since 2012.

The article even hints at it. They don't need cookie monsters. Look at the main photo - they look reasonably content because they know they dodged the Atlanticists destroying their country.

The Saakashvili era is in the past and they were already herded down that dark path in 2008. Now it's time to move forward with sovereignty, neutrality and one's head held high.

JJEToday 03:36 pm JST

Now it's time to move forward with sovereignty, neutrality and one's head held high.

Is said neutrality going to come about through violating their sovereignty? Doesn't sound like something to be proud of on either side.

The main thing is to keep the interests of Washington out of the country. We don't need another unrest conducting to more conflicts and wars. Thanks

Incorrectamundo. Neutrality is a logical and sensible path forward to peace and co-prosperity. Madness to choose the proxy path in light of recent events.

Limited ground operations don't occur in decent neutrals. No wonder the majority don't want to emulate the Ukraine experiment. Plus, they have their own issues with keeping their country together and don't need to become a bloody proxy for certain quarters.

JJEToday 04:13 pm JST

Incorrectamundo. Neutrality is a logical and sensible path forward to peace and co-prosperity. Madness to choose the proxy path in light of recent events.

Limited ground operations don't occur in decent neutrals. No wonder the majority don't want to emulate the Ukraine experiment. Plus, they have their own issues with keeping their country together and don't need to become a bloody proxy for certain quarters.

Funny Georgia is allowed to keep its armed forces and doesn't need neutrality written into its constitution, but Ukraine has to be abused over such things. Of course the russian told us there would be no invasion before there was an invasion.

Russia in 2008 was promised by George W. Bush there would no Nato enlargement but the extension of American satellite countries grew even bigger in Eastern Europe.

FosToday 05:41 pm JST

Russia in 2008 was promised by George W. Bush there would no Nato enlargement but the extension of American satellite countries grew even bigger in Eastern Europe.

There literally hasn't been any expansion eastward since 2004, discounting Putin's War. Is the claim that GWB promised no member would be added ever?

Here we are again with the Social media convenient history lesson:

Two countries on the Adriatic Sea—Albania and Croatia—joined on April 2009 before the 2009 Strasbourg–Kehl summit. The next member states to join NATO were Montenegro in 2017, and North Macedonia in 2020.

Not to mention the comedies of Sweden and Finland :)

Just to be clear: it’s not that the heads of the countries are going to Bruxelles and ask for application. It is US led Nato and their economic interests which consider where to expand

Then if you want to go back to 2004, until 2008 here is a list:

Seven partner countries officially became members of NATO on 29 March 2004: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, bringing the total membership of the Alliance to 26. They had been invited to start accession talks with NATO at the Prague Summit in November 2002.

Honour and respect. That is what countries should preserve in diplomacy not convenient lies and their own economic interests.

Then

Truth and trust. That is what respectable countries should preserve in diplomacy not convenient lies and their own economic interests.

Lol, you quickly realized that 'honour and respect' for Putin was pushing it a bit eh.

If you want your respect back, get out of Ukraine. If you want your honour back, apologize and pay up.

As for truth and trust, that doesn't exist in Putin's Russia.

Get used to your pathetic piss-poor empire never being put back together.

This "NATO enlargement:" is a fallacy. Unlike Russia's attitude towards other countries, NATO can not march into another country and make it a member. A country has to ask to become a member of it's own volition, and entry depends not on just one member country but all members.

OssanAmerica, with due respect, you are oversimplifying.

Countries interested in joining the Alliance are usually invited to join what is called a Membership Action Plan (MAP).

Between 1999 and 2020 every new member that joined NATO had used a MAP.

NATO is not a club: who gets in is decided by the US.

NATO is not a club: who gets in is decided by the US.

More nonsense. All members must ratify the membership.

If the Soviets would lay off invading their neighbours then countries may not be in such a hurry to join NATO.

NATO expansion is Putin's fault and a result of his incessant warmongering against former Soviet vassals.

Unofficially a country's entry into NATO occurs according to a four-stage process.

In the first stage, the White House identifies a country that, once absorbed into NATO, would increase the U.S. share of world power at the expense of Russia and China.

In the second phase, the White House builds strategic relationships with the chosen country through arms sales and military exercises. Historical records show that Sweden and Finland became de facto members of NATO long before they became official members by participating in the Alliance's most important military exercises and purchasing weapons from the United States. 

In October-November 2018, Sweden and Finland participated in “Trident Juncture,” NATO's huge anti-Russian exercise that took place in Norway, Sweden and Finland. 

“Trident Juncture” was an exercise under the ‘Article 5 scenario,’ the collective defense article, which was applied shortly thereafter to Ukraine.

In the third stage, the White House persuades other NATO countries to treat the chosen one as a fellow member and vote for his or her entry. If one member objects, the White House resorts to enticements. If these do not work, the White House turns to blackmail and threats. This happened recently with Viktor Orbán. Because the Hungarian premier objected to the 50 billion euros Biden requested for Ukraine, the European NATO countries told Orbán they would attack his economy if he did not withdraw his veto.

In the fourth stage, the chosen country officially joins NATO.  

Actually, NATO does not welcome everyone, otherwise Israel would have been its member for years. NATO includes only those countries that the White House deems useful to its expansive plans. 

As for Ukraine, the country was made a de facto NATO member through a unilateral U.S. decision, moreover opposed by France and Germany at the 2008 NATO meeting in Bucharest.

Yes, I am deliberately oversimplifying it because the main point is that a country has to want to join NATO. It can not become a NATO member against it's own wishes.

Therefore, it's incorrect to claim that "NATO is expanding" in the same manner as some evil empire that expands by invasion and occupation of other countries.

On top of these notions you need to add that, based on NATO guidelines, allies in Europe will need to invest a combined total of $380 billions in defence in 2024, or 2% of their combined GDP. 

Considering the top 5 arms manufacturers in the world are all American, that is a ‘No brainer’ for the US administration to keep destabilizing areas of the globe, and ask random countries to join.

Twenty four hours after the vote there is no evidence that the election were illegal.

This article makes a mockery of your statement as a number of different sources have stated

"A series of violations were reported on Sunday by three separate monitoring missions, including the 57-nation Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

The groups said the alleged violations, including ballot-stuffing, bribery, voter intimidation and violence near polling stations,"

But like all pro Russians you simply ignore that which doesnt support your outrageous claims.

If you had any idea of how authoritative media works, as opposed to hearsay and social media rumors, we would not have this conversation. Not a single hint of a real evidence.

Russia in 2008 was promised by George W. Bush there would no Nato enlargement but the extension of American satellite countries grew even bigger in Eastern Europe.

There was no NATO enlargement during George W, Bush term as President. He kept his word and as everyone knows you cant speak for the future Presidents who can do as they think is best. Also NATO is a group of like minded nations and no one nation runs it. Time to move on from that.

George W. Bush and Condoleeza Rice are the main people reponsible for this huge mess in Europe. And the list provide above of the countries which joined NATO following his presidency its a fact, not propaganda from the enemy side. I don't need to go over the Minsk agreements and false promises made by Washington.

I find Savio reconstruction SPOT ON: there is no other country like US which benefits from every aspect of it, above all economically, from the ongoing recession in Europe, the maiming of innocent people in Middle East, and the destabilization in Asia through the China hysterics spread day in day out, and turning the continent into a powder keg.

It is time to realize that the world is not getting better with these policies brought forward by the US, flaring up tensions and confrontations, and above all is not a good place to live in, ethically speaking, because of the modus operandi.

It is time to realize that the world is not getting better with these policies brought forward by the US, flaring up tensions and confrontations, and above all is not a good place to live in, ethically speaking, because of the modus operandi.

You are as feeble minded and pathetic as every other Putin bootlicker on here.

Nobody forced Putin to invade Ukraine. Putin decided to invade becuse he wants that territory. We know this because he stated it clearly and then annexed it.

Ukraine was no threat to Russia. Nobody was threatening Russia. Nobody cared about Russia until it started invading its neighbours. Not everything miserable about your life is America's fault.

For God's sake man, grow up and stop being such a simple sucker.

Ukraine was no threat to Russia :)

I would advice you consulting a paper book, in order to deepen your knowledge of the conflict before your offload your rage on this forum. Debating important history facts you find on social media is not advisable. 

The bloody Donbas war, which started in 2014, was documented by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (Osce), no enemy spies. And the Maidan Coup is not a Marvel movie on Netflix, but real life where you don't need to be a genius to grasp what was going on. 

The United States played a key role in generating and perpetuating this terrible conflict, it is a fact, and nobody can deny it. 

Washington would wipe out Mexico or Canada, regardless, if Russia or China would get any nearer their boundaries trying to install nuclear bases.  

Lastly, it seems to me you are impervious to reading proper books. In that case try to consult proper information online such as John Mearsheimer. He is not Russian, but an American political scientist. 

If you only have few minutes this is a good catch up on the main causes of the conflict:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c9vn8z2wwy9o

Worth mentioning here that, although Georgian Dream does appear to have won, they still didn't get as many seats as the last election. People are waking up, but it's slow.

Haaa Nemui

People are waking up, but it's slow.

Absolutely, that is honest criticism which is totally acceptable. 

And those trend happen in the US with Trump voters, or in Japan - where just yesterday the LDP party leader who was critical of the US, referring to the creation of the ASIAN Nato, paid the consequences. But nobody said the election was rigged. 

Automatically, because Georgia is close to Moscow and the Russiaphobia is all over the place in the media, then we have to accuse them of all sort of wrongdoing. I find that despicable to say the least and completely hypocritical.

FosOct. 28 06:19 pm JST

Here we are again with the Social media convenient history lesson:

More like here we go with russian fantasy history. Sometimes its good to get things in writing particularly when they are going to be this ridiculous.

Two countries on the Adriatic Sea—Albania and Croatia—joined on April 2009 before the 2009 Strasbourg–Kehl summit. The next member states to join NATO were Montenegro in 2017, and North Macedonia in 2020.

Yes, none and I repeat none further east that than the Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania. If you actually believed this secret promise of GWB to never add a NATO country ever, I don't know what to tell you.

Not to mention the comedies of Sweden and Finland :)

Yes, invading neighbors tends to cause others to be wary.

Just to be clear: it’s not that the heads of the countries are going to Bruxelles and ask for application. It is US led Nato and their economic interests which consider where to expand

Countries have not been forced to join NATO except through russian barbarism.

NATO is not a club: who gets in is decided by the US.

Yes, as the largest backer, we are going to get an outsized say in what goes on. Has to be unanimous, though.

Considering the top 5 arms manufacturers in the world are all American, that is a ‘No brainer’ for the US administration to keep destabilizing areas of the globe, and ask random countries to join.

Still 1% of gdp. I revised the figure down for you.

George W. Bush and Condoleeza Rice are the main people reponsible for this huge mess in Europe.

Yes we do know there is some major rear hurt from 2004.

I don't need to go over the Minsk agreements and false promises made by Washington.

Minsk was violated by russia for the most part.

I find Savio reconstruction SPOT ON: there is no other country like US which benefits from every aspect of it, above all economically, from the ongoing recession in Europe, the maiming of innocent people in Middle East, and the destabilization in Asia through the China hysterics spread day in day out, and turning the continent into a powder keg.

Yes, in your fantasy world the US has fulfilled major reconstruction contracts in Iraq, Syria, Lybia, etc. etc. Where all of this new infrastructure is, no one can say.

It is time to realize that the world is not getting better with these policies brought forward by the US, flaring up tensions and confrontations, and above all is not a good place to live in, ethically speaking, because of the modus operandi.

It is time for the world to stop ignoring russian barbarism and Chinese complicity.

Ukraine was no threat to Russia :)

I would advice you consulting a paper book, in order to deepen your knowledge of the conflict before your offload your rage on this forum. Debating important history facts you find on social media is not advisable. 

Javelins and training remain non threatening. Even to russia's shoddy armed forces.

The bloody Donbas war, which started in 2014, was documented by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (Osce), no enemy spies. And the Maidan Coup is not a Marvel movie on Netflix, but real life where you don't need to be a genius to grasp what was going on. 

Yes, russia invaded in 2014 and a government did change in Ukraine through peaceful means.

The United States played a key role in generating and perpetuating this terrible conflict, it is a fact, and nobody can deny it. 

An interesting phone call does not mean the US mind controls 30 million Ukrainians.

Washington would wipe out Mexico or Canada, regardless, if Russia or China would get any nearer their boundaries trying to install nuclear bases. 

NATO nukes haven't moved in Europe in decades.

Lastly, it seems to me you are impervious to reading proper books. In that case try to consult proper information online such as John Mearsheimer. He is not Russian, but an American political scientist. 

If you only have few minutes this is a good catch up on the main causes of the conflict:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/c9vn8z2wwy9o

I don't even have to look this guy up to know he is a Chomsky level nutter.

SavioOct. 28 09:28 pm JST

Unofficially a country's entry into NATO occurs according to a four-stage process.

In the first stage, the White House identifies a country that, once absorbed into NATO, would increase the U.S. share of world power at the expense of Russia and China.

Yes, we aren't adding the Congo anytime soon.

In the second phase, the White House builds strategic relationships with the chosen country through arms sales and military exercises. Historical records show that Sweden and Finland became de facto members of NATO long before they became official members by participating in the Alliance's most important military exercises and purchasing weapons from the United States. 

Yes, countries will wisely choose the best arms and begin training ASAP.

In October-November 2018, Sweden and Finland participated in “Trident Juncture,” NATO's huge anti-Russian exercise that took place in Norway, Sweden and Finland. 

“Trident Juncture” was an exercise under the ‘Article 5 scenario,’ the collective defense article, which was applied shortly thereafter to Ukraine.

Yes, they already had reason to fear the animal that is Putin. Ukraine still not covered by article 5.

In the third stage, the White House persuades other NATO countries to treat the chosen one as a fellow member and vote for his or her entry. If one member objects, the White House resorts to enticements. If these do not work, the White House turns to blackmail and threats. This happened recently with Viktor Orbán. Because the Hungarian premier objected to the 50 billion euros Biden requested for Ukraine, the European NATO countries told Orbán they would attack his economy if he did not withdraw his veto.

Yes, Hungary cannot block an entire alliance from progressing. They could have been tossed out of NATO and rightly so.

In the fourth stage, the chosen country officially joins NATO. 

Actually, NATO does not welcome everyone, otherwise Israel would have been its member for years. NATO includes only those countries that the White House deems useful to its expansive plans. 

NATO includes countries agreed on by unanimous vote.

As for Ukraine, the country was made a de facto NATO member through a unilateral U.S. decision, moreover opposed by France and Germany at the 2008 NATO meeting in Bucharest.

We're not in 2008 anymore. Ukraine has been subjected to heinous invasion twice and still ongoing.

I need to remind the participants of this forum that the same informants and "saviors of the democracies of the the world" are sending tens of billions of dollars to perpetrate the massive genocide in the Middle East. And no! Those are not Russia or Chinese weapons killing scores of innocent. children and women, just as the US stock markets are on all time high, and American corporations are investing in Ukraine. Sheer hypocrisy.

Only few days ago on this paper was announcing that the US administration is trying to sell another 2 billions of dollar of weapons to destabilize Taiwan:

https://japantoday.com/category/world/us-approves-2-billion-in-arms-sales-to-taiwan-including-advanced-missile-defense-system

What kind of moral authority and decency can you have to even enter this forum?

ClippetyClop

 Which country has the US invaded and annexed?

That's a good one man, how many hours do you have? :)

Why don't you start with this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wIOqHSsV9c

FosToday 10:13 am JST

Those are not Russia or Chinese weapons killing scores of innocent. children and women,

Those go into Ukraine.

just as the US stock markets are on all time high, and American corporations are investing in Ukraine. Sheer hypocrisy.

Yes the huge investing in rubble business.