Episode 253: Repression deepens in Georgia
Fri Feb 06 2026
In this episode, the co-hosts break down the latestdevelopments across Ukraine, Czechia, and Croatia, while Nina explores the regional implications of the Epstein files’ release.
For the main conversation, Adam and Alexandra speak with Megi Benia in Tbilisi about Georgia’s accelerating democratic backsliding: from new laws targeting NGOs, media, and political activity to growing pressure on universities and civil society. They also discuss the OSCE’s decision to activate the Moscow Mechanism, and why many Georgians feel the EU and wider international community have responded too timidly as the country drifts away from Euro-Atlantic integration.
In the bonus section, which is exclusively available to our patrons, Megi shares her personal story of dissent inside Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs after diplomats took the unprecedented step of publicly opposing the government’s foreign policy shift.
Listen to the bonus conversation here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/253-bonus-150030402
Join our patreon page here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope
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In this episode, the co-hosts break down the latestdevelopments across Ukraine, Czechia, and Croatia, while Nina explores the regional implications of the Epstein files’ release. For the main conversation, Adam and Alexandra speak with Megi Benia in Tbilisi about Georgia’s accelerating democratic backsliding: from new laws targeting NGOs, media, and political activity to growing pressure on universities and civil society. They also discuss the OSCE’s decision to activate the Moscow Mechanism, and why many Georgians feel the EU and wider international community have responded too timidly as the country drifts away from Euro-Atlantic integration. In the bonus section, which is exclusively available to our patrons, Megi shares her personal story of dissent inside Georgia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs after diplomats took the unprecedented step of publicly opposing the government’s foreign policy shift. Listen to the bonus conversation here: https://www.patreon.com/posts/253-bonus-150030402 Join our patreon page here: www.patreon.com/talkeasterneurope