Washington: US lawmakers are taking steps to counter the influence of China and Russia in the Republic of Georgia. In a recent interview with RFE/RL, Congressman Joe Wilson highlighted the geopolitical significance of the South Caucasus as a battleground between authoritarian regimes and democratic states.
According to Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, Congressman Wilson, alongside Congressman Steve Cohen, has introduced a bipartisan bill titled the Countering Chinas Control Of The Caucasus Act. This legislation aims to document the extent of Russian and Chinese influence in Georgia, reflecting growing concerns in Washington about the current Georgian leadership's alignment with adversarial powers.
The proposed bill, H.R. 7668, mandates the US administration to conduct a classified assessment of Russian and Chinese intelligence activities in Georgia. It also calls for a five-year review strategy of US-Georgia relations to evaluate future funding and Tbilisi's commitment to Western alliances. Wilson emphasized the importance of standing with democratic forces globally, portraying the bill as a defense against the influence of the Chinese Communist Party.
Wilson identified the Anaklia Deep Sea Port, now under a Chinese-led consortium, as a strategic focus point, suggesting parallels to the Panama Canal situation where Chinese influence was curtailed under former President Donald Trump's administration. He advocated for a similar strategy of economic and civic engagement to counter Chinese control in Anaklia.
The MEGOBARI Act, targeting Georgian officials with sanctions, remains a critical legislative effort. Wilson noted its overwhelming bipartisan support in the House of Representatives, despite its current stall in the Senate. With former Senator Markwayne Mullin's transition to the role of Secretary of Homeland Security, Wilson remains hopeful for the bill's advancement.
Wilson also addressed recent claims by the Georgian Dream government of a "reset" in relations with the US, which he dismissed. He emphasized the importance of fair elections as a foundation for stronger US-Georgia ties, citing recent geopolitical shifts as evidence of diminishing authoritarian power.
The strategy against Chinese influence is not limited to legislation. Experts, including Laura Linderman from the American Foreign Policy Council, suggest leveraging US influence within international financial institutions to restrict Chinese participation in Georgian infrastructure projects. Linderman urged Washington to place conditions on multilateral funding to prevent involvement of Chinese companies with questionable practices.
Wilson also expressed concerns over alleged intelligence cooperation between Georgia and Iran, criticizing the Georgian leadership's relations with Tehran. He called for vigilance to ensure that US support aligns with the democratic aspirations of the Georgian people.