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This article by a political analyst examines Georgia's deteriorating relationship with the West under the Georgian Dream government and its billionaire founder Bidzina Ivanishvili.

The piece explores how Georgia's initially positive EU relations after 2012 have soured due to conflicts over Western-funded NGOs, Georgia's refusal to fully support Ukraine against Russia, and allegations of electoral fraud. President Mikheil Kavelashvili defends his government's stance, accusing the Western "deep state" of pressuring Georgia into anti-Russian policies that would harm national interests. The article traces tensions from the Rose Revolution era through current sanctions and political protests.

• Georgian Dream's founder Ivanishvili faces accusations of Russian influence despite lack of concrete evidence, while his immense wealth gives him outsized political power
• Georgia rejected Western pressure to provide military aid to Ukraine and impose full sanctions on Russia, leading to fresh "pro-Russian" allegations
• President Kavelashvili claims Western organizations mobilized Georgian opposition and accuses the U.S. "deep state" of interference
• The October 2024 parliamentary elections sparked controversy over alleged fraud, followed by violent protests and competing claims to presidential legitimacy