Countering Russia-style autocracy in Georgia

William Dunbar, Harper Fine, Hanna Hodgetts, John Kennedy

Expert InsightsPublished Feb 2, 2026

Over the last two years, the Georgian Dream party has turned decisively away from the West, embracing illiberalism, despite the pro-European aspirations of the majority of Georgia’s people. In this perspective, we trace the origins and trajectory of this turn and offer options for increased Western support, which will be crucial if the country is to avoid a future of Russia-style autocracy.

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Dunbar, William, Harper Fine, Hanna Hodgetts, and John Kennedy, Countering Russia-style autocracy in Georgia. Santa Monica, CA: RAND Corporation, 2026. https://www.rand.org/pubs/perspectives/PEA4721-1.html.
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This work was conducted within the Defence, Security and Justice Program of RAND Europe.

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