CRS Report for Congress: Georgia [Republic]: Recent Developments and U.S. Interests

By Jim Nichol

The small Black Sea-bordering country of Georgia gained its independence at the end of 1991
with the dissolution of the former Soviet Union. The United States had an early interest in its fate,
since the well-known former Soviet foreign minister, Eduard Shevardnadze, soon became its
leader. Democratic and economic reforms faltered during his rule, however. New prospects for
the country emerged after Shevardnadze was ousted in 2003 and the U.S.-educated Mikheil
Saakashvili was elected president. Then-U.S. President George W. Bush visited Georgia in 2005,
and praised the democratic and economic aims of the Saakashvili government while calling on it
to deepen reforms.
The August 2008 Russia-Georgia conflict caused much damage to Georgia's economy and
military, as well as contributing to hundreds of casualties and tens of thousands of displaced
persons in Georgia. The United States quickly pledged $1 billion in humanitarian and recovery
assistance for Georgia. In early 2009, the United States and Georgia signed a Strategic
Partnership Charter, which pledged U.S. support for democratization, economic development, and
security reforms in Georgia. The Obama Administration has provided ongoing support for
Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1287426271
• ISBN13: 9781287426271
• Release Date: September 2013
• Publisher: Bibliogov
• Length: 30 Pages
• Weight: 0.16 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.1" x 7.4" x 9.7"