Irakli Kobakhidze, the Georgian Prime Minister, stated on Wednesday in Dublin that publicly identifying members of the "global war party" would be "quite dangerous." Speaking at a discussion hosted by the Institute of International and European Affairs, he claimed these specific individuals operate in Europe and the US, using official channels to exert influence over Georgia. He noted that while the authorities do not usually specify whom they mean, the term refers to real people who seek to drag the country into conflict.
Vague Accusations and Specific Claims
Kobakhidze compared the concept to the "deep state," a term used by the current US administration to describe alleged networks of unelected officials obstructing presidential agendas. However, he insisted the concepts are not fully identical. In his version of events, these influential figures use European instruments to pressure Tbilisi, though he admitted the forces operating in Europe and the US were not necessarily the same group. This lack of specificity has long plagued the ruling Georgian Dream party. In May 2024, MP Mariam Lashkhi told The News Agents podcast that she did not know who else was part of the group, comparing them vaguely to Freemasons. That exchange was widely mocked, yet the conspiracy theories have continued unabated with no new names provided.
Historical Context and EU Ambitions
Kobakhidze extended his argument to the August 2008 war and the two stages of Russia’s war against Ukraine, claiming all three conflicts could have been prevented if influential individuals had wanted them avoided. He asserted that the 2008 war was started by foreign agents holding official positions within the Georgian government, unlike the other wars which were started by Russia. Despite this criticism of individual European politicians and officials, he reiterated that Georgia still wants to join the EU, arguing the country values European institutions and culture rather than the politicians currently representing them. The ruling party suspended the membership bid in 2024 amid repressive laws targeting civil society and media. Brussels has consistently criticized these policies, calling on Tbilisi to repeal legislation deemed incompatible with EU values.
