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Israel Defense Forces block Chinese vehicles

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Changes are underway in the Israel Defense Forces: In early November 2025, the IDF announced it would stop using vehicles manufactured in China. The reason for that was the risk that information from the cars could fall into the hands of China. The IDF said that by the first quarter of 2026, 700 vehicles, mainly Chery Tiggo 8 Pros, will be removed from the fleet of Israeli senior officers, after suspicions arose that smart devices built into the cars could collect information about the Israeli military and transmit it to China or another third party.

The decision is not just a future fear of espionage. The Chinese machines, which have been handed over to colonels and other officials in the Israel Defence Forces since 2022, run on a closed operating system. Cars are equipped with innovative technologies: cameras, microphones, sensors, and communication systems that can collect audio, video, geolocation, and biometric data. In addition, this data can be transmitted to external servers, potentially located in China, without the driver’s or importer’s consent or knowledge.

In addition, the cars’ built-in GPS devices continuously collect location and diagnostic data. At the same time, the Chery Tiggo 8 Pro’s high-resolution 360-degree cameras can record military exercises, troop movements, and the operation of military equipment. This data could pose a significant risk to Israel’s military security. In addition to the information falling into the hands of China, this data makes the Israel Defense Forces vulnerable to hacking attacks.

Interestingly, security officials themselves have attempted to sterilize the vehicles to prevent them from transmitting information to outside forces, but they have concluded that this is impossible. Given the risks, some Israeli security and intelligence agencies have refused to allow Chinese vehicles into their territory.

In addition to the IDF, Israel’s aerospace and other defence industries also banned the use of Chinese vehicles earlier this month. They also plan to ban Chinese-made vehicles from entering defence factories, and workers who own them will have to park them in public parking lots outside the factories.

According to the Israeli Air Force, there are already areas where Chinese vehicles are prohibited from entering. They also plan to expand these areas to prevent unforeseen incidents and to prevent Chinese vehicles driven by employees or guests from accidentally entering sensitive areas.

These decisions could lead to significant delays in the export of Chinese cars to Israel. This process had already begun in part, as the issuance of import licenses for Chinese cars has been significantly restricted and delayed. According to available information, the Chinese government has already officially contacted Israel on this issue, following the postponement of the deadline for issuing licenses to large car importers.

The move by the Israeli security forces puts Israel in line with the United States and the United Kingdom, which also restrict the use of Chinese equipment on security agency sites. In the United States, the Pentagon has banned not only Chinese vehicles but also Chinese mobile phones on government, security, and military sites.

Interestingly, the threat of Chinese smart technologies collecting information and transferring it to China or other powers also exists in Georgia. Over the past few years, Georgia has been actively purchasing and using Chinese smart cameras, which pose significant risks.

It is interesting that Chinese cars are also actively entering Georgia. In January-August 2024, imports of Chinese cars into Georgia increased by 111% compared to the same period of the previous year. Experts, along with the availability and price of Chinese cars, also spoke about the risks associated with them,  which included non-compliance with European quality standards. In addition, in 2025, as a result of a memorandum of understanding signed with the Sena Auto Group, Chery, banned by the Israeli Defense Forces, officially entered the Georgian market. 

According to the research of Civic IDEA, these cameras pose a threat to Georgia’s national security, as Chinese smart cameras allow for facial recognition and voice recording, creating the risk of this information falling into the hands of China. Because of these threats, certain Chinese smart cameras are banned in many Western Countries, including the United States, Great Britain, and the European Union.

Author: Mariam Kapanadze

 

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Why Didn’t Georgian Dream Fall? – ENB Features Analysis by Tinatin Khidasheli

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The Eastern Neighborhood Bulletin – a regional analytical platform covering political, security, and governance developments across Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus – has published a comprehensive expert review titled “Why Didn’t Georgian Dream Fall?”

The article brings together insights from nine leading specialists from Georgia, Europe, and the United States. Among them is Tinatin Khidasheli, Chairperson of Civic IDEA and former Minister of Defense of Georgia, who offers her analysis on the political developments surrounding the 2024 parliamentary elections and the protest movement that followed.

In her contribution, Tinatin Khidasheli highlights the critical failures of political leadership, noting that while civil society demonstrated remarkable energy and creativity, opposition parties did not transform public demand for change into a unified and credible political strategy:

“The 2024 parliamentary elections were seen as the last shred of hope by everyone, apparently except the main players: the opposition political parties. Georgian political opposition was expected to deliver bold, surprising moves that would catch the ruling party off guard and divert it from its well-structured traps. When the central issue at stake is the country’s sovereignty and reorientation of the entire statecraft, this is no longer a matter for activism alone. Resistance to such a shift must necessarily be political; it must be led, organized, and sustained by actors with the legitimacy and capacity to claim power, that is, political parties.

A simple plan of three phases of unavoidable change should have been set in motion: for people, regardless of partisan preference, to demand the change, then to believe it was possible, and finally to identify those capable of winning and governing after victory. Activists and civil society fulfilled their role. The movement proved creative and energetic, thus, the demand for change was overwhelming. Yet political leadership failed to transform that demand into a credible strategy of power.”

– Tinatin Khidasheli, Head of Tbilisi-based think tank Civic Idea, former Minister of Defense of Georgia, 2015-2016.

You can read the full article here:

Why Didn’t Georgian Dream Fall?

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Tinatin Khidasheli at Hitotsubashi University’s Global Governance Research (GGR) Session

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Civic IDEA Chairperson Tinatin Khidasheli delivered a talk at Hitotsubashi University within the Global Governance Research (GGR) series, addressing the theme “Small States in Turbulent Regions: Lessons from Georgia’s Current Political Challenges.”

The discussion focused on Georgia’s evolving geopolitical environment and the wider dynamics of the South Caucasus, including the pressures created by hybrid threats, authoritarian influence, and regional instability. Khidasheli emphasized how these dynamics shape the strategic choices of small states and how those choices, in turn, affect broader regional security.

In its introduction, the Institute for Global Governance Research highlighted Khidasheli’s leadership at Civic IDEA and her long-standing work on countering authoritarian influence, Russian propaganda, and hybrid warfare. It also noted her earlier roles in public service, including serving as Georgia’s first female Minister of Defense and as founder and chairperson of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association.

The session brought together students and faculty for an in-depth conversation on the challenges facing democratic governance in turbulent regions and the importance of understanding small states’ responses to global shifts.

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Civic IDEA’s Statement Regarding the Targeted Disinformation Campaign Against the Organization

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Today, pro-government media outlets launched a targeted disinformation campaign against Civic IDEA and its chairperson, Tinatin Khidasheli.

The narratives disseminated by these outlets align with Georgian Dream’s latest tactic: labeling anyone who asks critical questions as part of “anti-government forces” to divert attention from real issues. This campaign aims to obscure the findings of our research and discredit the evidence presented in it.

Below, we summarize the key points of the report.

What Facts Provoked the Georgian Dream?

  1. The Sharp Increase in Imports of Iranian Oil and Petrochemical Products to Georgia

In recent years, imports of Iranian oil and petrochemical products have grown dramatically:

  • In 2020, imports from Iran totaled USD 45 million; by 2024, this figure had nearly quintupled, reaching USD 285 million.
  • In 2021 alone, imports of oil and petroleum products increased by 154% compared to 2020, amounting to 3,413 tons.

It is well known that petrochemical exports constitute one of the Iranian regime’s main sources of revenue. Therefore, Georgia’s growing imports of these products amount to indirect financial support for Tehran.

  1. The U.S. Government’s Explicit Warning on Purchasing Iranian Petrochemical Products

On May 1, U.S. President Donald J. Trump issued a warning on the social platform Truth Social, stating:

“Alert: All purchases of Iranian Oil or Petrochemical products must stop, NOW! Any country or person who buys ANY AMOUNT of OIL or PETROCHEMICALS from Iran will be subject to, immediately, Secondary Sanctions. They will not be allowed to do business with the United States of America in any way, shape, or form.”

Clearly, Georgian Dream attempts to downplay or hide relevant facts that show its collaborative stance toward a regime openly hostile to the United States. 

  1. Guidance Published on Iranian Websites on How to Bypass Sanctions Using Georgia

Numerous Iranian online platforms openly discuss fraudulent schemes that allow Iranian businesses to circumvent international sanctions. According to these sources, Georgia offers a convenient route for Tehran to access Russian, Chinese, and even Western markets.

Examples from Iranian sources include:

  • “A favorable environment has been created for Iranian traders: they can bring their products into Georgia and, by repackaging them under Georgian labels, export them to the EU or the U.S. without paying customs tariffs and at competitive prices.”
  • “Iran can indeed circumvent U.S. restrictions and access global markets for various products by trading through Georgia. One of Georgia’s key advantages is its extensive network of trade agreements, particularly with Europe.”

Iranian websites further encourage business owners to take advantage of Georgia’s business environment:

  • The Iranian company Arad Branding published an article advising:
    “If you plan to trade with Georgia, we recommend first registering a company there, especially near ports. This significantly reduces costs and makes imports and exports smoother.”

Indeed, between 2013 and 2024, Iranian citizens registered nearly 9,300 companies in Georgia, illustrating the extent to which the Iranian regime exploits Georgia as a platform for its business operations.

Once again, we emphasize that this report is based exclusively on open sources and statistical data published by the National Statistics Office of Georgia. As before, Georgian Dream responds to factual, evidence-based criticism with its habitual tactic: launching disinformation campaigns and dismissing publicly available information as “fake news.”

Full report

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Tinatin Khidasheli’s Talk at the University of Tokyo

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Civic IDEA is pleased to share that on 1 December, our Chair and former Minister of Defence of Georgia, Tinatin Khidasheli, delivered a presentation at a conference hosted by the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) at the University of Tokyo. 

Her talk, “Frontlines of Influence: Russia, China, and the Hybrid Contest over Georgia,” focused on Georgia’s current geopolitical challenges. Ms. Khidasheli outlined how authoritarian actors – Russia and China – are expanding their political and economic influence in Georgia and shaping developments in the region. She also addressed key issues related to strategic infrastructure, including ongoing debates around the Anaklia deep-sea port.

In the event brief, Akira Igata of the University of Tokyo’s RCAST highlighted how Georgia has become a test ground for hybrid pressure from Russia and China  –  from interference in democratic processes to economic influence and growing pressure on civil society. 

In her lecture, Tinatin Khidasheli discussed these challenges, including China’s planned investments in Georgia such as the Anaklia deep-sea port, and the broader security implications for the region. She also noted that shrinking civic space in Georgia has made civil society leaders frequent targets of disinformation, citing a recent government-backed TV “documentary” that falsely portrayed her as a “Taiwanese agent.” These issues, as Igata emphasized, are not limited to Georgia; authoritarian disinformation campaigns now have global consequences.

The event was attended by University of Tokyo students, members of the academic community, and media representatives. The session concluded with an interactive Q&A and discussion, allowing participants to engage directly with the topics raised during the presentation.

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“Small States in Turbulent Regions” – Tinatin Khidasheli’s Talk

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“Small States in Turbulent Regions: Lessons from Georgia’s Current Political Challenges” – Tinatin Khidasheli’s Talk 

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02/Dec/2025  │  Hitotsubashi University, Japan 

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As part of the series of meetings organized by The Institute for Global Governance Research (GGR) – established in April 2020 as a university-wide organization focusing on global law and global governance research – students of Hitotsubashi University will meet  Tinatin Khidasheli, Chairperson of Civic IDEA . The discussion will focus on the geopolitical situation in Georgia and the South Caucasus, as well as the challenges posed by rising authoritarian powers in the region.

“Tinatin Khidasheli heads the Georgian research and analytic organization Civic IDEA, fighting authoritarian influence in Georgia, confronting Russian propaganda, and advocating for the country’s defense and security policy. She is the author of the first Georgian-language book on Hybrid Warfare and has taught Hybrid Warfare and Defense Policy at several universities. Throughout her career, she has held various high-ranking public positions, including Georgia’s first female Minister of Defense, and was the founder/chairperson of the Georgian Young Lawyers’ Association, which remains one of the largest human rights advocacy groups in Georgia.” – writes The Institute for Global Governance Research

Registration

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Georgia and China Deepen Transport Cooperation

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Georgia is deepening its relations with China, especially in transport, trade, and infrastructure. Economy Minister Mariam Kvrivishvili met with China’s Vice Minister of Transport, Li Yan, in London to discuss expanding cooperation, while also discussing maritime links and transport infrastructure. The focus was the Middle Corridor, which is the Trans-Caspian route connecting China and Europe, where Georgia plays a central transit role.

Following Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze’s visit to China earlier this month, both countries agreed to launch direct flights from Tbilisi to Beijing, with a potential Tbilisi-Shanghai route under discussion. Kvrivishvili stated that these measures would strengthen trade, economic ties, and people-to-people links. Georgia also emphasised the value of Chinese expertise in maritime development.

Cargo transit along the Middle Corridor has surged dramatically. Over the past three years, shipments increased by nearly 90%, and total cargo in 2024 reached 4.5 million tons, which is expected to grow to 5.2 million tons in 2025. Investments in the Anaklia deep-water port and the Baku–Tbilisi–Kars railway aim to expand to 10 million tons annually by 2027.

However, experts warn that China’s rapid involvement is less about Georgia’s benefit and more about securing its own strategic foothold. Chinese companies are dominating Georgia’s infrastructure projects, such as roads and critical infrastructure. These investments often carry hidden costs of debt dependency, opaque agreements, which imply political leverage favoring Beijing.

Analysts argue that while Georgia benefits from short-term economic gains and growing cargo volumes, the long-term strategic costs are high. Loss of autonomy, as in economic dependency, is an exposure to political leverage by Beijing. In this context, critics argue that Georgia risks becoming a pawn in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, which is primarily used to advance Beijing’s geopolitical ambitions. Georgia’s growing dependence on Chinese investment, technology, and trade channels underscores the need for careful scrutiny and safeguards to ensure that national interests are not subordinated to foreign strategic priorities.

Author: Mariam Sanadze

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University of Tokyo Hosts Keynote Address by Tinatin Khidasheli on Russia, China, and the Geopolitics of Georgia

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Civic Idea is pleased to announce that our Chair, former Minister of Defence of Georgia Tinatin Khidasheli, will deliver the keynote address at a public symposium hosted by the Economic Security Intelligence Lab (ESIL) at the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST), The University of Tokyo.

Event Title: Frontlines of Influence: Russia, China, and the Hybrid Contest over Georgia

The symposium will examine the evolving geopolitical pressures on Georgia, including Russia’s role in democratic backsliding, China’s expanding economic leverage, and the broader hybrid tactics reshaping the strategic environment in the South Caucasus. Ms. Khidasheli will also discuss key infrastructure and connectivity debates – such as the Anaklia deep-sea port – and consider avenues for enhanced cooperation with partners, including Japan;

“In recent years, Georgia has stood at a geopolitical crossroads, caught between its aspirations for deeper integration with Europe and the expanding influence of authoritarian networks centered in Moscow and Beijing. Although a small country in the Caucasus, Georgia reflects many of the world’s most urgent strategic challenges: Russian elite capture encouraging democratic backsliding, China’s economic engagement creating new dependencies and opaque financial flows, and the rapid erosion of civic space that undermines civil society and opposition voices. 

The symposium will feature a keynote address by Tinatin Khidasheli, former Georgian Minister of Defence and current head of the Georgian think tank Civic Idea. She will outline the current domestic situation and Russia’s role in shaping political dynamics inside Georgia. Her remarks will also explore how Georgia has become a test site for hybrid warfare, with clear parallels to gray zone tactics in the South China Sea and around Taiwan. Ms. Khidasheli will discuss the promised investments from China in Georgia such as the strategically critical port of Anaklia that faces the Black Seas, the regional connectivity logic shaping the Caucasus, and the potential role that Japan can play in countering China’s rise in countries facing similar pressures. These issues are not limited to Georgia. Disinformation campaigns originating from authoritarian actors have had international consequences, including direct implications for Japan. 

As civic space has contracted within Georgia, Ms. Khidasheli has herself become a target of mass disinformation. One prominent example is an absurd television “documentary” that falsely portrayed her as a “Taiwanese agent” and even claimed that the Japanese government bribed her to carry out its agenda.”

Panel contributions will be provided by Dr. Aya Adachi (German Council on Foreign Relations) and Maya Sobchuk (ESIL, University of Tokyo). The discussion will be moderated by Akira Igata.

Event Details

Date: December 1, 2025
 Time: 10:00–11:30 (Registration from 9:30)
 Language: English
 Venue: ENEOS Hall, Building #3-S, Komaba II Campus, RCAST, The University of Tokyo

Registration

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Another Tragedy on a Georgian Road Project Built by a Chinese Company

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On November 23, another tragedy happened on the Kvesheti-Kobi construction section. Near the village of Tskere, during the construction of a retaining wall, a large amount of earth collapsed due to a landslide and trapped five workers of the construction company beneath it. They were citizens of Turkmenistan and China. Four of them died on the spot, and one of them was taken to a hospital. According to the Roads Department, “Emergency Situations Management Service is mobilized at the scene of the incident, and an investigation has already begun”.

The project is carried out by the Chinese companies – China Railway Tunnel Group Co and China Railway 23rd Bureau Group Co. In the government-issued statement, the requirement for stricter safety standards for construction companies is discussed.

Unfortunately, the tragedy that occurred on Kvesheti-Kobi road is just another proof of this grave trend, about which the Civic IDEA has been reporting on for the past few years, issuing recommendations and warnings to both the government and the population. 

Since 2017, reports issued by various international organizations indicated that the above-mentioned contractors had only formally complied with safety rules, while real monitoring was not carried out. This was proven in Georgia back in 2022, when an explosion in a CRTG tunnel led to the death of one person due to the accumulation of CO₂.

The company has a problematic reputation not only in Georgia but around the world as well. CRTG and its parent company, CRCC, are blacklisted by the US Department of Defense. In addition, in 2019, the World Bank issued a 20-month package of sanctions against these companies due to their fraudulent practices, including falsifying tender documents and violating workers’ labor rights.

In response to warning reports, “Civic IDEA” has been accused of acting against the interests of the country. The tragedy that occurred in Kobi raises the question of whose interests were served by those people who, for years, have been ignoring our recommendations as well as those issued by other international and non-governmental organizations working on these issues.

Given the high technical and environmental risks and warnings, strict monitoring of contractors was clearly necessary. However, this case is yet another tragic proof that all warnings were ignored by state agencies, and moreover, they continue to unconditionally support these companies. It is worth asking what interests were behind these deals that the Georgian Dream regime made with internationally sanctioned Chinese companies with a bad reputation.

 

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Li Urges China and Germany to Deepen Dialogue and Resolve Bilateral Issues

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Chinese Premier Li Qiang has called on China and Germany to deepen their dialogue and resolve bilateral concerns, underlining Beijing’s commitment to strengthening the political and economic foundations of the relationship. Speaking at a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, Li emphasized the need for “joint efforts to strengthen dialogue and communication, and properly handle their respective concerns.”

Li recalled that since diplomatic ties were established 53 years ago, China and Germany have developed into important economic and trade partners, and that sustained cooperation has advanced the development of both nations. He stressed that mutual respect and win-win cooperation must remain the guiding principles of their bilateral relations. A foundation upon which a stable, sustainable, and high-quality all-around strategic partnership can be built, in his view.

In his remarks, Li expressed Beijing’s willingness to strengthen strategic communication with Berlin, underscoring the importance of respecting each other’s “core interests and major concerns.” He called on Germany to pursue a more rational and pragmatic China policy, urging Berlin to move beyond political interference and pressure and instead focus on areas of shared benefit.

Looking ahead, Li argued that the two sides should expand pragmatic cooperation across a broad spectrum of sectors. He identified key emerging fields, such as new energy, biomedicine, and hydrogen energy technology.

Li also pointed to the broader context of European integration, noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and the European Union. He urged Germany to help shape an EU-China relationship based on a long-term perspective and a more open-minded framework, and suggested Berlin has a role to play in encouraging the EU to regard China not as a challenge, but as a partner.

On the multilateral front, Li said China stands ready to work closely with Germany through global institutions like the United Nations and the G20. He argued that closer cooperation in these forums can advance global governance, uphold multilateralism, defend free trade, and make both countries a “constructive and certain force for promoting peace and development.”

Chancellor Merz responded to Li’s tone, highlighting the long and productive history of economic ties between Germany and China. He welcomed the deeper engagement proposed by Li, noting Berlin’s eagerness to cooperate in forward-looking areas such as science and technology. Merz reaffirmed Germany’s commitment to open markets, to strengthening political, economic, and trade relations with China, and to playing a constructive role in shaping EU-China dialogue.

Li’s appeal to Germany comes at a sensitive moment: the two countries face a complex mix of strategic tension and economic interdependence. Berlin has raised concerns about China’s industrial policies, and German firms have recently fret over restrictions on key Chinese exports. At the same time, both sides recognize the mutual benefits they derive from their close economic ties.

By emphasizing pragmatism, innovation, and multilateral engagement, Li is signaling that China hopes to manage its relationship with Germany not just through trade, but through a long-term, strategic partnership – one that weathers political headwinds and builds cooperation in cutting-edge fields.

Author: Nia Kokhreidze

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