"When leaving Tbilisi for the airport, travelers pass along George W Bush Avenue, named after the former US president following his landmark 2005 visit -- a reminder of a period when Georgia was among Washington's closest partners in the South Caucasus. That road now appears to be a dead end, or at least closed for repairs. Once Washington's closest partner in the South Caucasus, Georgia now finds itself stranded in US regional diplomacy."
"Where do we stand today? Donald Trump created a Peace Council and invited almost every country in the region, except Georgia. Azerbaijan declares that transit will no longer pass through Georgia. Armenia also wants to open its border with Azerbaijan. Where is Georgia? On what platform? In what discussions? Whose allies are we, after all?"
Georgia's standing as Washington's chief South Caucasus partner has weakened. Symbols of past closeness, like George W Bush Avenue, contrast with present diplomatic marginalization. Tbilisi is strengthening ties with China while continuing engagement with Russia, reducing Washington's strategic focus on Georgia. US attention has shifted toward Azerbaijan and Armenia, highlighted by invitations to President Trump's Board of Peace that excluded Georgia. US Vice President JD Vance plans to visit Baku and Yerevan, leaving Georgia outside high-level US regional engagement. Georgia's historical roles as a transit corridor for Caspian energy and as Armenia's gateway face uncertainty as regional alignments and transit plans evolve.
Read at RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty
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