Ambassador Insider Series - Georgia

On Thursday, June 20, please join the Washington Diplomat at our ongoing Ambassador Insider Series as we interview David Bakradze, Georgia’s envoy to the United States. The event, which takes place at the Georgian Embassy off Dupont Circle, will highlight the political, economic and cultural issues that define this former Soviet republic in the Caucasus.
Less than half the size of the U.S. state that bears the same name, Georgia is home to 3.8 million people. One of the first countries ever to adopt Christianity, Georgia is famous for its medieval capital of Tbilisi, as well as the Black Sea resort of Batumi, and Vardzia, a sprawling cave monastery dating to the 12th century. It’s also the birthplace of Josef Stalin, who rose from poverty to become one of the most ruthless dictators of the 20th century.
In 1991, it regained its independence from the USSR, yet just over 10 years ago — in the summer of 2008 — Russian forces engaged Georgia in a brief but punishing war that left 20 percent of the country under a military occupation.
In November 2018, Georgian voters elected Salome Zurabishvili president, making her the first female head of state in the nation’s history. Today, Georgia and the United States maintain very close ties, though the small nation still yearns to join NATO and, further down the road, the European Union.
Discussing the US-Georgian relationship will be Bakradze, who came to Washington in December 2016. A veteran diplomat, Bakradze has served in a number of senior official posts including state minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration, ambassador to Greece and Serbia, and chargé d’affaires at the Georgian Embassy in Finland. Bakradze speaks Georgian, English and Russian, and he and his wife Anna have three children.
Interviewing Ambassador Bakradze will be the Washington Diplomat’s Tel Aviv-based news editor, Larry Luxner, who has traveled to Georgia on assignment twice — the first time in 2016, and more recently one year ago. This will be Luxner’s 10th Ambassador Insider Series.
After our event, participants will have a networking reception, and the chance to sample Georgian wines and the rich Georgian cuisine. We hope to see you there!