Georgia’s Anti-West Rhetoric Strains Relations With U.S.

The United States has been applying heavy pressure on Georgia, its erstwhile close ally, as the Caucasus state has continued to escalate its anti-Western and authoritarian rhetoric. The United States imposed financial sanctions on two Georgian security officials and visa restrictions on more than 60 other Georgians, including (so far unnamed) senior government officials, the U.S. State Department announced on September 16. The U.S. government has also prepared a separate package of financial sanctions against the founder and still de facto leader…