AGP Executive Report

US Cabinet Shake-Up: Tulsi Gabbard has resigned as America’s Director of National Intelligence, effective June 30, saying she must step away to support her husband after a rare bone cancer diagnosis. Trump says her deputy, Aaron Lukas, will act in the role. Georgia Courts & Politics: Georgia’s ethics dispute over two Supreme Court candidates stays alive after the US Supreme Court refused to undo an Eleventh Circuit ruling that lets allegations be made public. Energy Security Push: At Istanbul’s INRES summit, Azerbaijan’s energy minister framed energy security as national security, while Georgia and Türkiye stressed grid links and regional electricity corridors. Regional Watch: Kazakhstan’s first nuclear plant faces more delays as Rosatom seeks extra time to complete site reports amid financing strain. Local Governance: Georgia’s PSC races are headed to runoffs, with District Five set for a GOP rematch after no candidate cleared 50%.

Courtroom Crackdown: UNM’s Levan Khabeishvili was sentenced to 2.5 years for sabotage and coup-incitement tied to his “peaceful revolution” calls ahead of the Oct 4, 2025 municipal vote, with prosecutors seeking pretrial detention and a psychiatric exam ordered. European Pressure: A Council of Europe Assembly report warns Georgia risks sliding into a one-party dictatorship and urges repeal of repressive laws, saying democratic election conditions don’t exist. Public Order Case: Prosecutors say a man who drove into the Patriarchate of Georgia courtyard acted on “religious intolerance,” charging him with property damage and hooliganism and seeking detention. Regional Security: Kyiv says a spike in radiation followed Moscow missile strikes using uranium-linked arms, while Ukraine’s long-range oil-targeting campaign is described as “going according to plan.” Tbilisi Watch: The city’s mayor says damaged road infrastructure will be fixed at night hours, and a tram-line tender contract is set for signing by end of June. Energy & Travel: Georgia expects more tourists from Azerbaijan as passenger rail between Tbilisi and Baku resumes from May 26.

Tbilisi Courts & Speech: Georgia’s top rights body is now backing limits on vulgar online insults: the European Court of Human Rights upheld a fine over a viral TikTok attack on Tbilisi officials, saying sexually explicit, aggressive language isn’t protected political speech. Opposition Under Pressure: In a separate case, a court sentenced former UNM leader Levan Khabeishvili to 2½ years for allegedly sabotaging and inciting a coup around last year’s local elections—charges he rejects. Local Governance: Tbilisi Mayor Kakha Kaladze says damaged road infrastructure across the city will be fixed soon, and a tram-line design-and-construction contract is set to be signed by end of June. Regional Mobility: After a long pause, passenger rail between Baku and Tbilisi is set to resume from May 26, with timetables and ticket prices announced. Holiday Disruption (Context): Georgia DOT is pausing interstate lane closures over Memorial Day weekend to reduce travel delays.

Public Order & Hate-Speech Response: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says Georgia can’t ban criticism, but “forms of hatred” and insults online need a response, pointing to a new special unit inside the Ministry of Internal Affairs. EU–Georgia Outreach: A German ambassador warns Georgia “can’t join the EU like this,” after Saarbrücken’s announced plan to cut ties with Tbilisi, escalating the diplomatic spat over “democratic backsliding.” Regional Mobility Deal: Azerbaijan is reopening its land border and resuming passenger rail with Georgia from May 26, framed as humanitarian for families separated since 2020, while other overland crossings stay sealed. Economy & Skills: EU/FAO training in Georgia targets wine competitiveness with vineyard management techniques for 18 specialists. Tech & Business: Ad Geeks becomes the first Google DV360 partner in the Caucasus, signaling deeper local access to major ad tools. Culture: Tbilisi Art Fair 2026 launches with a debut by young artist NOBU, “Fragments of One Road.”

Georgia–Azerbaijan Reset: Azerbaijan reopened its land border and will resume passenger rail with Georgia from May 26, after a May 18 Kobakhidze visit that also pushed faster Baku–Tbilisi–Kars cargo work and border upgrades—while stressing other overland crossings stay sealed. EU–Azerbaijan Talks: Brussels and Baku are negotiating a replacement for the 1996 partnership deal, with “90%” of text reportedly agreed and remaining disputes centered on trade. Tbilisi Court Clock: A verdict in the Levan Khabeishvili and Murtaz Zodelava case is due tomorrow, May 21 at 2:00 PM. EU Warning to Tbilisi: Germany’s ambassador hit back at Tbilisi’s EU-facing rhetoric, saying you “can’t enter the EU like this,” amid reports of Saarbrücken ending ties. Energy & Security: EU–Azerbaijan cooperation is back in focus as renewables and grid resilience rise on the agenda; meanwhile, Hormuz traffic reportedly doubled amid Iran-linked tensions. Local Governance: A Lawrenceville annexation referendum failed, keeping city boundaries unchanged.

Independence Day traffic squeeze: Tbilisi City Hall announced staged road closures and detours across May 20–28 around the Presidential Palace, Dry Bridge, Freedom Square and Rustaveli Avenue, with Atoneli Street already closed from 08:00 and major stretches fully shut from May 24–27. Youth Europe link: The European Youth Card launched in Georgia for ages 18–30, unlocking up to 25,000 discounts across Europe; in Georgia alone, 50+ offers cover 600+ venues, with activation via the Bank of Georgia app. Strasbourg ruling on insults: Georgia’s Ministry of Justice says the ECHR ruled that obscene, degrading public statements aimed at officials don’t qualify as protected free expression, backing a GEL 500 fine case tied to a TikTok video. Georgia–Azerbaijan momentum: New energy and transport deals were signed in Baku, including a 20-year gas framework and plans to restore passenger rail after a six-year pause, while the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars rail section is set to start by month-end. Regional business tie-up: Archi announced a strategic partnership with Central Asia’s BI Group to bring international-standard development and digital construction practices to Georgia.

Baku–Tbilisi–Kars Push: Georgia says the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars rail section will start operating by month-end, with a joint Georgian-Azerbaijani setup and passenger service Georgia–Azerbaijan set to resume from May 26—another step in Tbilisi’s bid to cash in on the Middle Corridor. Energy & Transit Deals: On May 18, Georgia and Azerbaijan signed a package covering gas supply, electricity imports and transit, and pipeline/rail upgrades, positioning Azerbaijan as a key partner for routes that bypass Russian networks. Diplomatic Friction: Tbilisi is reacting sharply to Saarbrücken ending ties, with Mayor Kakha Kaladze calling it a political move and sending a “condolence letter” to Germans. Church & Politics: The Georgian Orthodox Church installed Patriarch Shio III, with attention now on whether he can secure amnesty for political prisoners. Human Rights Spotlight: A final voice recording from ICT expert Ilgar Aliyev alleges drugs were planted and threats made in prison—adding pressure to the Abzas Media crackdown narrative. Regional Watch: Moldova summoned Russia’s ambassador after Putin’s Transnistria citizenship decree, which critics say is aimed at coercing mobilization.

Georgia–Azerbaijan Deal Push: Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze says the new package signed in Baku is a major step for energy and transport ties, including a 20-year gas supply extension, electricity supply and transit terms, and a new operating agreement for the Georgian section of the Baku–Supsa oil pipeline. Rail Revival: After a six-year pause, daily passenger rail between Tbilisi and Baku is set to resume from May 26, tied to continued work on the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars corridor. Regional Diplomacy: Kobakhidze also framed the agreements as part of broader connectivity and peace goals amid wider geopolitical pressure. Domestic Security Move: Georgia’s Interior Ministry will create a proactive unit to monitor hate speech and aggressive public campaigns and take legal action without waiting for complaints. International Spotlight: Georgia’s foreign minister met Ukraine’s counterpart in Moldova, continuing a warming-but-uncertain dialogue.

Energy & Transport Deal: Georgia and Azerbaijan signed a new package in Baku, including a 20-year extension of gas supply and a 20-year electricity supply/transit agreement, alongside fresh terms for the Baku–Supsa oil pipeline and other connectivity projects. Rail Revival: After a six-year pause, daily passenger rail between Tbilisi and Baku is set to resume from May 26, with the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars line moving toward full operation. Public Order & Speech: Georgia’s Interior Ministry will create a hate-speech and aggressive-campaign monitoring unit that will proactively review online and public communications and, if needed, push cases to court. Church & Demographics: Patriarch Shio III doubled down on anti-abortion and anti–“gender ideology” messaging, prompting a sharp response from former President Salome Zurabishvili. Regional Context: Georgia’s PM is in Azerbaijan for the UN World Urban Forum (WUF13), using the trip to deepen bilateral ties as broader regional diplomacy heats up.

Diplomacy in motion: Georgian PM Irakli Kobakhidze landed in Azerbaijan for WUF13 in Baku, with meetings planned including a stop with President Ilham Aliyev—Georgia pushing housing and urban-crisis themes on an international stage. Church and politics collide: Newly enthroned Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III led Family Sanctity Day marches in Tbilisi, warning against abortion and “gender ideologies,” while Georgian Dream officials joined the crowds. Ukraine dialogue, again: Foreign Minister Maka Botchorishvili met Ukrainian counterpart Andrii Sybiha in Chisinau and both sides signaled continued talks, even as Tbilisi pointed to unresolved obstacles to normalization. Security backdrop: NATO’s biggest special forces drill, Trojan Footprint 2026, is underway across 10 countries as the US reduces some troop commitments—yet Georgia is listed among participating forces. Human pressure at home: A protest by parents of children with Duchenne disease continues outside government buildings, demanding access to imported medicine. Energy talk: BP is framing the Caspian—anchored by Azerbaijan and Georgia—as an “energy hub” for decades, betting on infrastructure and gas output.

Duchenne Drug Protest in Tbilisi: Parents have kept a 28-day sit-in outside the Government Administration, marching again with red balloons and banners demanding access to life-saving medicine and warning that every day matters for children with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. NATO Drills, Georgia in Focus: A major NATO special forces exercise is underway across Europe with thousands of troops from the US, UK and 22 nations, testing responses to sabotage and cyber attacks as US support for allies faces political strain. Transnistria Passport Push: Moldova’s President Maia Sandu blasted Russia’s fast-track decree for Transnistria residents, saying it’s a recruitment tool to pull the breakaway region deeper into the Ukraine war. Eurovision Fallout: Ukraine drew top points from Georgia and others, while the contest’s Israel-related protests and boycotts kept politics front and center. Local Culture & Travel: Georgia is being marketed to adventure tourists for its expanding hiking routes, and Eid travel demand is boosting interest in budget destinations including Georgia.

US Immigration Crackdown: Trump-era enforcement is driving a surge in “voluntary departures” as migrants abandon asylum claims—orders jumped from about 750 a month under Biden to over 9,000 in March 2026, with most departures coming from detention. Armenia After Karabakh: In Yerevan’s Yerablur cemetery, families mark the human cost of the 2020 and 2023 Nagorno-Karabakh losses, with grief now tied to a new, permanent “limbo” for survivors. UK Defence Politics: Starmer is set to announce an £18bn defence spending boost, framed as a short-term lifeline for the military and a reputational shield abroad. Russia-Ukraine Front: A new assessment says Russia’s top command is repeatedly misreporting battlefield gains around Kupyansk and Lyman. Georgia-Ukraine Accountability: Georgia refused to join a Council of Europe-backed special tribunal agreement targeting Russia’s crime of aggression. Regional Pressure Tactics: Putin signed a fast-track Russian citizenship decree for Transnistria residents, tightening Moscow’s influence in Eastern Europe.

Diplomatic Fallout: Georgia stayed out of the Council of Europe-backed deal to set up a special tribunal for Russia’s crime of aggression—an omission now fueling fresh accusations that Tbilisi is “trading in values” rather than acting independently. Hybrid Pressure: In parallel, Russia moved to tighten its grip in Eastern Europe by signing a decree that speeds up Russian citizenship for residents of Transnistria, cutting out usual residency and language hurdles. Regional Power Play: Turkey’s Erdoğan, returning from Kazakhstan, warned that Israel’s “provocations” must end before peace can be built, while Turkic leaders used a summit in Turkistan to push deeper integration on transport, energy security, and digital cooperation. Culture Meets Politics: Eurovision’s final in Vienna is still shadowed by boycotts over Israel’s participation, turning a music event into a live geopolitical flashpoint. Local Life: Batumi honored top athletes and teams, while Georgian Days in DC kicked off a week of independence-themed events.

Transnistria Passport Push: Putin signed a decree fast-tracking Russian citizenship for residents of the unrecognized Transnistria region—skipping usual residency, language, and history tests, and letting people apply via Russian consulates without entering Russia. Georgia–Ukraine Diplomacy: Georgian FM Maka Bochorishvili met Ukraine’s Andrii Sybiha at the Council of Europe, with both sides pledging a “transparent, pragmatic and constructive” dialogue while Tbilisi flagged obstacles to normalization. Construction Procurement Overhaul: Georgia is preparing amendments to state construction rules—raising overhead limits, adding price indexation, and aiming to reduce suspensions and improve transparency. Energy & Finance: Bank of Georgia secured $45m in trade finance with Citi and the ADB; SOCAR appointed Levan Davitashvili CEO of Italiana Petroli after the acquisition. Regional Integration Watch: TRACECA is moving transit permits from paper to a single electronic permit, cutting time and costs for carriers.

Immigration Crackdown Fallout: Under Trump’s enforcement push, U.S. immigration judges issued a surge of voluntary departure orders—up to more than 9,000 a month by March 2026, with over 70% of those leaving already in detention—raising fresh accusations that people are being pressured to abandon asylum claims. Georgia-EU/CoE Tensions: In the Council of Europe, Ukraine’s Andrii Sybiha and Georgia’s Maka Bochorishvili pledged a “transparent, pragmatic” dialogue, while Georgia also condemned Russia’s latest South Ossetia deal as another annexation step. State Procurement Overhaul: Tbilisi is preparing major reforms to state construction procurement, including price indexation to reduce project stoppages. Energy Power Moves: SOCAR appointed Levan Davitashvili CEO of Italiana Petroli after acquiring nearly all of the company. Regional Security & Courts: A coalition of European states backed a special tribunal aimed at prosecuting Russia’s “crime of aggression” against Ukraine. Black Sea Development: Georgia granted ownership of 28 hectares for “Ambassadori Island” in Batumi’s Black Sea zone.

Georgia Governor’s Race: With primary day looming, Georgia’s biggest gubernatorial contenders are blanketing TV screens—Republicans have poured in over $100M in ads, led by Rick Jackson and Trump-backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, while Democrats push hard behind former Keisha Lance Bottoms. Orthodox Church: Georgia’s new Catholicos-Patriarch Shio III urged “unity and peace” during his enthronement, calling for the Church to reach out to those feeling distant amid national tensions. Russia-Occupied Territories: The Gakharia For Georgia party says Russia’s Duma ratified an alliance treaty with occupied Tskhinvali in an “active and extremely dangerous” annexation phase, accusing Georgian Dream of silence. Immigration Enforcement: A new report says voluntary departures in the U.S. have surged under Trump—orders jumped from about 750 a month to over 9,000 in March—raising fresh questions about whether people are being pushed out of asylum claims. Energy Integration: Georgia joined regional ministers in Athens backing faster energy-grid links for Southeastern Europe, arguing it boosts security and cooperation.