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Russia’s Naval Expansion in the Black Sea

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The recent announcement of a Russian naval base in Ochamchire, Abkhazia has intensified concerns about regional security, economic stability, and Georgia’s sovereignty. While Russia claims this expansion is a strategic necessity following Ukrainian attacks on its Black Sea fleet, Georgia and its Western allies see it as a direct violation of international law and a further entrenchment of Russian influence in the South Caucasus and the Black Sea.

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Tariff War: Trump Threatens China With Additional 50% Tariffs

Newswire / /

Donald Trump has threatened to impose an additional 50% tariff on China if it does not reverse last week’s decision to impose an additional 34% tariff on American goods by April 8. In total, the tax on Chinese goods imported into the United States will increase by 104%.

As a representative of the Chinese Foreign Ministry said on April 7, this is bullying by the United States towards China, and threats and pressure are not the right way to deal with China. He called the tariffs „unilateral, economic bullying and protectionism“. At a press conference, he noted that the US tariffs in the name of reciprocity only serve its own interests at the expense of other countries.

“The abuse of tariffs by states deprives countries in the global south of their right to development,” Lin said, citing the widening gap between the rich and the poor in each country, especially in less developed countries.

Lin called on other states to stand together against unilateralism and protectionism, and to uphold the international and multilateral trading system in line with the values ​​of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization.

China refuses to bow to US “blackmail.” The commerce minister said that the US threat to escalate trade with China is a big mistake and, in addition, once again reveals the US’s blackmailing nature. “If the US does not change its course, China will continue to fight to the end,” Wang Wentao said.

In spite of this, Chinese Vice Commerce Minister Ling Ji assured American companies, including Tesla and GE Healthcare, that the country will always protect foreign-funded companies operating in China, including American companies.

“China has been, is, and will be an ‘ideal, safe and promising investment destination for foreign investors,’” Ling said at a meeting in Beijing on Sunday attended by more than 20 U.S.-funded companies. Ling said Beijing will not hold American companies accountable as President Trump escalates his tariff war with the rest of the world, including China.

At a meeting of the World Trade Organization on April 9, China plans to raise the United States’ retaliatory tariffs as a “new trade concern.” China has already filed a formal complaint with the Geneva-based watchdog.

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Georgian Dream’s New “Grant Law”, A.K.A Repression on Steroids!

Newswire / /

Welcome to Turkmenistan-on-the-Black-Sea. Yesterday (April 7), Georgian Dream introduced another chapter in its authoritarian playbook — a blitzkrieg-style amendment to the Law on Grants that makes so-called “Russian Law” look like amateur hour. If passed (and they’re fast-tracking it to do precisely that by next week), this law will give the government extensive power to decide who may & may not receive foreign grants — and to punish anyone who doesn’t toe the line with crushing financial and legal consequences.

In other words: civil society, media, watchdogs — you’re either silent, sanctioned, or seized.

Want to receive a grant — better ask the government first

Any organization or individual wanting to receive a foreign grant must submit their draft agreement to the Government of Georgia (or its chosen henchmen). The government then has 10 days to say “yes” or “no.” If they say no — tough luck. You can try to appeal, but the rejection takes effect immediately and won’t wait around for your court case.

Who is exempt — and who is clearly targeted

Grants for international sports, scholarships for studies/science outside Georgia, and grants received directly by international organizations in Georgia are exempt. Everyone else — CSOs, media, watchdogs, community groups — fall under strict scrutiny.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau becomes a surveillance agency in all but name

Under this bill, the Anti-Corruption Bureau — led by Razhden Kuprashvili — is granted sweeping new powers to investigate and punish so-called “prohibited grants.” Think less watchdog, more intelligence agency. Here’s what it can now do:

  • Demand financial documents from individuals or organizations, even if there’s just a vague suspicion of a problematic grant.
  • Summon private citizens for questioning, including formal interrogations before a magistrate judge.
  • Request highly sensitive personal data, including banking information and non-public communications — with court approval that must be processed in under 48 hours.
  • Record interrogations with audio and video, including remote questioning via electronic platforms. 
  • Fine individuals for giving “false” information, even under voluntary questioning, while claiming the interrogation is not coercive.

In short: under the pretext of anti-corruption, this Bureau can now act like a law enforcement agency, a financial regulator, and an intelligence service — all rolled into one, with minimal checks and lightning-fast timelines.

Seizing your bank account — fast and without delay

If the Bureau thinks you might not pay the fine, they can freeze your bank accounts or seize your assets on the spot. They’ll ask the court for confirmation — which must come within 48 hours — but their decision is already in effect. You can appeal once. It won’t help. The appeal won’t suspend the seizure, and the court’s word is final.

Penalties designed to punish, intimidate, and repeat

  • If you receive a “prohibited grant”: fined double the grant amount
  • If you “lie” during questioning: fined 2,000 GEL
  • Do it again? The fine doubles
  • Offenses can be punished up to 6 years later
  • During elections, courts are forced to rule on these cases within 5 days — again, with final decisions that can’t be appealed

Let’s not forget: just one day before launching this legislative assault, Georgian Dream’s Speaker of Parliament, Shalva Papuashvili, accused the UK government of “interfering” in Georgia’s internal affairs — all because they dared to fund voter education and election observation efforts. According to Papuashvili, a British grant program supporting free and fair elections was part of a grand conspiracy to “change governments and destabilize countries.” He even called the grant “corrupt,” claiming everyone already knows it’ll go to organizations like ISFED. That paranoid outburst wasn’t a coincidence — it was the prelude. The next day, the regime gave itself the legal tools to crush exactly these kinds of programs.

This is political warfare — and we are not leaving the field

This bill isn’t about transparency. It’s about the extermination of dissent. It’s about silencing media, paralyzing civil society, and building a Turkmen-style system in a country that claims to be “European.”

It’s about pushing international donors out of political life — a direct attack on democracy-supporting assistance, at a time when elections are approaching.
It’s about scaring people into inaction.
But here’s what it’s not going to do: erase us.
We will not disappear. We are not afraid.
We have stood firm in darker times, and we will stand firm now.
We will keep speaking, keep working, and keep building the kind of Georgia the Georgian Dream fears most — a democratic one.

As part of this effort, Civic IDEA remains committed to helping others understand what these recent amendments mean — and how they mirror the Russian-style “foreign agent” legislation. We are ready to offer and already offering legal aid, consultations, support, and guidance to anyone seeking clarity or action.

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Senator Shaheen expresses disappointment over Anaklia port

Newswire / /

American Senator, Jeanne Shaheen expressed disappointment over the decision to award the rights of the development of the Anaklia deep-sea port development project to a Chinese company. The information thereon was reported by an Azerbaijani-American journalist, Alex Raufoglu.

According to the statement, the Georgian side canceled a port contract with Western firms and, as recent reports indicate, Georgia is planning to award the project on the Black Sea to a Chinese company. Senator Shaheen also highlighted that she and the chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, James Risch, have worked very hard to try and move Georgia forward and find it disappointing that the Georgian side is letting this opportunity slip away.

Senator’s statement follows the statement of members of the Helsinki Commission, or the Commission on European Security and Cooperation, which also responds to the Anaklia port subject and underlines the dangers that will be created by the U.S.-sanctioned Chinese companies. Notably, even after such warnings, the Georgian Dream party continues the process of awarding the port project to a Chinese consortium and once again endangers the years-long partnership developed between the West and Georgia.

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Trump says China might get tariff break in exchange of TikTok deal

Newswire / /

On Thursday, President Donald Trump said he might consider a deal involving TikTok in which China agrees to approve the sale of the video-sharing app, owned by ByteDance, in return for relief from U.S. tariffs on Chinese imports. 

While speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump pointed to TikTok as an example of how tariffs can serve as a negotiation tool with other countries.

“You have a situation with TikTok where China will probably say: ‘We’ll approve a deal, but will you do something on the tariffs?'” Trump said. “We could use tariffs in order to get something in return.” TikTok has until April 5 to secure a deal with a non-Chinese buyer or face a ban in the U.S.

Trump also noted that his administration is “very close” to finalizing a deal on TikTok, with several investors involved.

His comments came just one day after announcing a baseline 10% tariff on all imports to the U.S., along with increased tariffs targeting some of the nation’s major trading partners. As a result, China is now subject to a 54% tariff rate on goods exported to the U.S. TikTok has yet to respond to requests for comment.

Following Trump’s announcement of the extensive new reciprocal tariffs—especially harsh on China and its key trading partners—China’s yuan dropped to its lowest level in seven weeks, and stock markets declined sharply on Thursday. Although investors had been anticipating the tariffs for the past week, the severity of Washington’s latest measures exceeded expectations.

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South Caucasus at a Crossroads – Tinatin Khidasheli’s Address in The Hague

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On 3 April, the international conference “The South Caucasus Again in Transition” was held in The Hague, Netherlands. Tinatin Khidasheli, Chairperson of the organization Civic IDEA, participated as a speaker on the panel titled “The South Caucasus: A Region in Transition.”

In her remarks, Ms. Khidasheli addressed the key challenges facing Georgia and the wider South Caucasus region, as well as the opportunities presented during this critical period of transition. She underscored the importance of preserving peace, advancing democratic reforms, and strengthening international cooperation as essential elements for ensuring regional stability and development.

The conference was organized by LINKS Europe Foundation, a Hague-based organization committed to promoting peace and security in Europe and its neighboring regions to the East and South, and to enhancing the European Union’s engagement with these regions.

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Helsinki Commission responds to Anaklia port case

Anaklia, New, Newswire / /

The members of the American Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, expressed concern over the fact that the Georgian Dream party has surrendered control of the Anaklia deep-sea port to a Chinese conglomerate, which is sanctioned by the U.S. and backed by the Chinese government.

According to the seven representatives of the commission, one of the parts of the conglomerate, China Communications Construction Company often uses infrastructure development projects to exploit and destabilise the countries and increase their dependence on China. Apart from this, the commission underlines the dangers of the growing Chinese presence in the Black Sea, which, according to them, jeopardizes the region’s safety and free trade. The statement also highlights that China grows its presence in the region by its collaboration with Russia.

According to the conclusion reached by the commission, the Georgian Dream party will further endanger the democratic trajectory of the country and the ability to determine its own economic future. The Congressmen call on the party to reconsider its decision and evaluate bids based on how fairly and transparently they develop the critical infrastructure.

It is noteworthy, that the statement is signed by Republican, as well as Democrat Senators and Congressmen.

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China’s Large-Scale Drills in the East China Sea: A Renewed Escalation Against Taiwan

Newswire / /

Beijing has initiated large-scale military exercises in the East China Sea, marking another escalation of its aggression against Taiwan, which China claims as part of their respective territories. The exercises aims to test the capabilities of the People’s Liberation Army and involves 76 military aircraft and 19 naval vessels, some of which entered Taiwan’s self-defense identification zone.

As part of the drills, the Chinese military released footage depicting missiles striking various targets, including animated simulations of explosions in Taiwanese cities, specifically targeting strategic locations where military bases and ports are located.

China’s campaigns against Taiwan have intensified since the 2024 elections, with Beijing labeling Taiwan’s President Lai Ching-te as a “separatist” and a “parasite.” The large-scale exercises, which simulated blockades, coincided with a visit to Asia by U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has strongly condemned Beijing’s military aggression.

A spokesman for Taiwan’s presidential office stated on X that China’s blatant military provocations not only pose security challenges in the Taiwan Strait but also undermine the stability of the entire region. The exercises are occurring near Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, and the South China Sea (SCS), a crucial and disputed waterway claimed by China.

The United States, Japan, and the European Union have expressed concern over these large-scale military exercises in the South China Sea. The U.S. State Department criticized China’s military actions, stating that Beijing’s maneuvers “increase tensions and threaten regional stability.” Additionally, the European Union reiterated its opposition to any unilateral and substantial changes to the status quo in the Taiwan Strait.

China has conducted numerous large-scale military exercises around Taiwan in recent years, frequently involving blockades and incursions. The recent Strait Thunder-2025A exercises underscore Beijing’s growing military power and its readiness to project force in the region, raising alarms about potential future conflicts.

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Moscow’s Ties to Georgia: The Hidden Financial Web

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A major investigation by independent British journalist has exposed a vast financial web linking Russian oligarchs, the Georgian ruling elite, and British financial institutions. At the center of this operation is Bidzina Ivanishvili—Georgia’s richest man and de facto ruler—whose network has systematically funneled Kremlin-linked money into Georgia using Western platforms to secure his political and financial control.

The investigation was supported by Civic IDEA. Original material was prepared by British journalist Neil Will for Byline Times.”

The British Shell Game: How Russian Money Moves Through Georgia

A key player in this scheme is Hunnawell Business Ltd, a UK-based firm that has quietly facilitated the transfer of Russian capital into Georgia. The company was founded by Ivanishvili’s financial advisor, Irakli Rukhadze, who for years managed assets linked to both Russian oligarchs and the Georgian ruling elite.

Leaked documents reveal that after the mysterious 2008 death of oligarch Badri Patarkatsishvili in London, a hidden financial network, including Rukhadze, took control of his assets. These funds were later redirected into Ivanishvili’s circles, reinforcing his grip on Georgia’s economy and political system while deepening Moscow’s influence.

Bidzina Ivanishvili has long concealed his Kremlin ties while leveraging Western financial networks to expand his wealth. Leaked documents expose how Georgian oligarchs used British shell companies, like Hunnawell Business Ltd, to funnel Russian money into Georgia unnoticed. Hunnawell played a role in a $1.5 billion scandal involving Gulnara Karimova, the daughter of Uzbekistan’s former president, who took bribes in exchange for market access. The firm’s ties to Roman Abramovich and the misuse of British financial systems highlight the laundering of illicit wealth and the strengthening of Russian influence.

Irakli Rukhadze, a key figure in this network, was defeated in the UK Supreme Court in March 2025 for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme to divert over $170 million. This ruling exposed how figures linked to Ivanishvili exploited Western financial systems to protect Russian-linked wealth. The operation further emphasizes Ivanishvili’s financial empire, built on fraud and manipulation.

Global Money Laundering Playground?

These revelations confirm what many have long suspected: Ivanishvili has turned Georgia—and now even Western financial hubs—into a vast stadium for laundering Russian money and conducting Kremlin-backed business operations. While his government claims to pursue European integration, its financial foundation remains rooted in Moscow’s economic agenda.

British MP James McCleary has warned that “London remains, clearly, too attractive an option to pass up for the individuals behind these types of ventures,” calling for stricter controls on UK-based companies aiding authoritarian regimes.

Financial authorities estimate that more than £100 billion—40% of the world’s dirty cash—is laundered through British-registered companies annually, with law firms, private banks, and wealth management firms enabling these illicit flows. McCleary insists that the UK must implement stronger transparency measures to ensure that its financial institutions are not unwittingly propping up authoritarian regimes like Ivanishvili’s. Without decisive action, Western financial hubs risk becoming safe havens for Kremlin-linked operatives seeking to extend their influence under the cover of regulatory blind spots.

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China makes new accusations against the US – investigation launched into Panama Canal deals

Newswire / /

China is making fresh accusations against the United States. Beijing’s antitrust regulators launched an investigation into the allegations that a Washington consortium is deliberately trying to delay and postpone two deals in the Panama Canal Zone. The deal was supposed to be finalized this week, but it didn’t happen.

The deal was led by BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager with $11.6 trillion in assets. BlackRock has been seen as a way to ease tensions in the region and its involvement was announced last month. BlackRock has agreed to lead a group that will buy Hong Kong firm CK Hutchison’s interests in 43 different ports, covering 199 berths in 23 countries.

However, the State Administration for Market Regulation of China, the country’s top market regulator, said it was investigating the deal to ensure that it was conducted in accordance with the law and that it protected both the principle of fair competition in the market and the public interest.

Following the announcement, CK Hutchinson decided not to sign any more agreements related to the two Panamanian ports this week.

Earlier last month, a group of investors led by BlackRock said it would spend $22.8 billion to buy the Balboa and Cristobal ports at either end of the Panama Canal from CK Hutchison.

Mike Waltz, Trump’s national security adviser, told reporters late last month that Panama’s leadership had begun “negotiations on managing the ports on both sides of the canal.”

The construction of the Panama Canal began in the early 20th century under the direction of the United States and was completed in 1914. For much of the 20th century, the canal remained under U.S. control. However, during the Carter administration, an agreement was reached to transfer control to Panama, and since 1999, the country has independently managed its operations. Upon taking office, President Donald Trump adopted a firm stance on the Panama Canal, particularly voicing concerns over the management of its ports by the Chinese company CK Hutchison. In response to this pressure, CK Hutchison ultimately decided to relinquish its position and agreed to sell its shares.

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