Civicidea

Georgian Dream’s Surveillance of Protesters through Chinese Cameras

New, Research / /

Civic IDEA’s new report examines the growing use of Chinese surveillance cameras by the ruling Georgian Dream party in various locations, including near the Parliament building, where peaceful demonstrations continue.

In January and February 2025, the Public Safety Command Center 112 significantly increased its procurement of Chinese surveillance cameras, highlighting a rising trend in the use of such technologies to monitor Georgian citizens engaged in protests.

The report underscores key concerns associated with the use of Chinese surveillance technologies, including their implications for human rights violations.

For further details, please refer to the full report below: 👇

Georgian Dream’s Surveillance of Protesters through Chinese Cameras Read More »

Chinese nationals could be blocked from US student visas

Newswire / /

The Republicans in the House of Representatives are set to introduce a bill that will restrict Chinese nationals from obtaining American student or research visas.

The initiative is preceded by warnings from a Republican representative, Riley Moore, about the Chinese Communist Party exploiting the visa program. However, Moore is not the only Republican who believes that China uses universities and other academic institutions for espionage. According to Riley Moore, the FBI charged five Chinese nationals with student visas last year after they were caught photographing joint US-Taiwan live-fire military exercises.

Moreover, several American universities have stopped their partnerships with Chinese universities over National Security Concerns.

According to the procedure, the bill should first be adopted by the House of Representatives and later by the Senate, although it has no known co-sponsors at the time. It is expected that this role will be fulfilled by the Texas, Tennessee, and Pennsylvania representatives – Brandon Gill, Andy Ogles, and Scott Perry.

It is also important that the initiative comes after the reports of US President Donald Trump’s administration considering travel bans for the nationals of certain countries, but there are no indications of China being on the list at this time.

Chinese nationals could be blocked from US student visas Read More »

China, Russia, and Iran will hold nuclear talks

Newswire / /

On March 14th, China, Iran, and Russia will hold a meeting about Iran’s nuclear program in Beijing, which will be attended by the deputy Foreign ministers.

According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry press speaker, the representatives will exchange views on Iran’s nuclear activities and regional security.

The meeting will take place after the UN Security Council gathers in New York to discuss the same matter. Notably, the trilateral talks are preceded by US President Donald Trump’s letter to Tehran, in which he called on Iran to return to the negotiation about its nuclear activity. Apart from this, there were reports about Russia agreeing to aid the United States in communications with Iran, which was followed by a meeting between the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister and the Iranian ambassador.

It is noteworthy that Iran’s nuclear program became the center of attention after the IAEA warned of a “dramatic acceleration” of Uranium enrichment by the country.

China, Russia, and Iran will hold nuclear talks Read More »

Beijing’s Black Sea Push: A New Maritime Frontier

New, Research / /

Georgia is facing its most acute political crisis. Protests have continued for 106 days, with unwavering demands for new elections. However, as global attention remains fixed on broader security challenges, Georgia is receiving relatively less focus than in previous crises. 

The ruling party, Georgian Dream, sees this as an opportunity to push forward its hidden deals – including the attempted sale of the Anaklia Port to China. Our latest research, Beijing’s Black Sea Push: A New Maritime Frontier, delves into the implications of this shift. With Georgia’s strategic location at the intersection of Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, the Anaklia port is poised to become a crucial hub for China’s Belt and Road Initiative, potentially reshaping regional trade and security dynamics. The consequences for Western engagement, economic leverage, and geopolitical stability are significant. This issue is too important to ignore.

Read our full report to understand how these developments affect Georgia’s future and the broader balance of power in the region:

Powered By EmbedPress

Beijing’s Black Sea Push: A New Maritime Frontier Read More »

China Imposes Retaliatory Tariffs on Canada

Newswire / /

In response to the tariffs on Chinese electric cars and steel implemented in October, Beijing has announced new tariffs on Canada. These tariffs will affect over $2.6 billion worth of Canadian agricultural and food products starting on March 20.

Beijing’s decision to impose retaliatory measures followed an anti-dumping investigation, which found that Canada’s restrictive measures against certain Chinese products had disrupted normal trade and harmed the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese businesses.

On the other hand, Canada stated that the tariffs on Chinese goods were implemented after the United States and the European Union took similar actions against Chinese electric cars and other products. Western governments argue that China’s subsidies provide its industry with an unfair advantage, which is why these measures are deemed necessary.

Analysts indicate that China delayed response to Ottawa’s October tariffs likely reflects both capacity constraints and a strategic approach. The Ministry of Commerce is currently under pressure while managing ongoing trade disputes with the United States and the European Union, which has pushed Canada lower on its priority list. Consequently, it has taken months for China to address Canada’s tariffs.

China remains Canada’s second-largest trading partner, following the United States. According to Chinese customs data, Canada exported $47 billion worth of goods to China in 2024, underscoring the importance of this bilateral trade relationship.

Author: Liza Barbakadze

China Imposes Retaliatory Tariffs on Canada Read More »

Tinatin Khidasheli Speaks at the Paris Security and Strategy Forum

New / /

The chairwomen of “Civic IDEA” Tinatin Khidasheli participated in the Paris Security and Strategy Forum as a speaker on the panel “The Black Sea: Between Conflicts and EU Enlargement Perspectives.”

Her speech addressed Georgia’s role in the region, highlighting the relocation of the Russian fleet to Ochamchire in occupied Abkhazia and the potential Chinese takeover of the Anaklia deep-sea port. She also raised concerns about the Georgian Dream government’s growing alignment with Russia, questioning whether Tbilisi risks becoming a Russian puppet regime.

The forum, which explored Europe’s evolving defense and security architectures, focused on key transformations in transatlantic relations, NATO-EU cooperation, and Europe’s geopolitical role amid ongoing conflicts. Discussions covered the impact of the war in Ukraine, the need for a stronger European defense industry, and the new challenges posed by cyber warfare, disinformation, and strategic influence.

Tinatin Khidasheli Speaks at the Paris Security and Strategy Forum Read More »

Tinatin Khidasheli at the International Leadership and Foresight Forum in Abidjan

New / /

On February 22, Tinatin Khidasheli, Chairwoman of Civic Idea, participated as an invited expert at the International Leadership and Foresight Forum in Abidjan, themed “Artificial Intelligence: Transforming Africa’s Future in the Face of Global Challenges.” The forum brought together world-renowned experts, leaders, and executives to explore AI’s role in shaping a safer, more prosperous, and sustainable future for Africa. Khidasheli contributed to Panel 2: AI and Geopolitics – Security, Power, and Data Diplomacy, offering insights into the intersection of AI, governance, and strategic decision-making in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

Organized by the Centre d’Études Prospectives (CEP), this high-level event aimed to foster dialogue on AI’s challenges and opportunities in Africa. Discussions focused on developing inclusive policies and regulatory frameworks that empower the continent while preserving its cultural identity. By engaging in critical conversations on AI governance and security, Civic Idea continues its commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and informed policymaking on a global scale.

Tinatin Khidasheli at the International Leadership and Foresight Forum in Abidjan Read More »

FIRST APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING THE COMMON CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRACY IN THE WB AND EP COUNTRIES

Research / /

We are pleased to share with you a discussion paper titled First Approach to Identifying Common Challenges to Democracy in the Western Balkans and Eastern Partnership Countries. This paper highlights shared challenges in these regions and provides a foundation for understanding the role of local and international civil society in addressing these issues. Developed through a collaborative effort, the discussion paper is supported by the International Visegrad Fund and Forum 2000’s partnering organizations, including Civic IDEA.

FIRST APPROACH TO IDENTIFYING THE COMMON CHALLENGES TO DEMOCRACY IN THE WB AND EP COUNTRIES Read More »

China’s declining arms imports reflect growth in military self-reliance

Newswire / /

According to a Swedish think tank, China’s arms imports have dropped by almost two-thirds in the last five years, as the country increasingly shifted from purchasing foreign weapons to relying on domestically developed technology. A report released today by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) revealed a 64 percent decrease in arms deliveries to China between 2020 and 2024, compared to the previous five-year period.

This reduction in imports was primarily attributed to the expansion of China’s domestic weapons production, with homegrown systems now replacing the equipment that was previously sourced largely from Russia. The report suggests that this shift is expected to continue in the coming years.

Siemon Wezeman, a senior researcher at SIPRI, explained that it took China three decades to progressively replace imported high-tech weapons with domestically developed technologies. “In the last five years, the biggest things that they still imported from Russia were basically two things, helicopters and engines – they are actually extremely difficult to produce if you don’t have a background in it – and that is where China has broken through,” he said.

“China [now] makes its own engines for combat aircraft, transport aircraft and ships. The same [goes] with helicopters, where China has developed its own helicopters, completely Chinese, and is phasing out imports of those from Russia and also from European designs.”

Notably, China has announced a 7.2% increase in its defense budget for this year, continuing its efforts to expand and modernize its military to strengthen territorial claims and challenge U.S. military dominance in Asia.

With the second-largest military budget globally, behind only the U.S., China already possesses the world’s largest navy. The newly announced budget, totaling approximately $245 billion, was revealed at the National People’s Congress, the country’s annual legislative gathering. However, the Pentagon and analysts suggest that China’s actual defense spending could be at least 40% higher, as certain expenditures are categorized under other budgets.

China’s declining arms imports reflect growth in military self-reliance Read More »

China, Russia, and Iran are conducting joint naval exercises

Newswire / /

China, along with Russia and Iran, is conducting joint naval exercises in the Indian Ocean. “Security Belt 2025” is taking place near the Iranian port of Chabahar and aims to deepen “military trust and pragmatic cooperation”.

Representatives from Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, and Sri Lanka are attending the exercises as observers.

The program includes simulated attacks on maritime targets, search, and rescue, as well as arrest missions. According to the Chinese Defense Ministry, the country will send a destroyer and a supply ship, which is a demonstration of increased military capabilities from Beijing. Apart from this, all three countries will present their own warships for the exercises.

Notably, the Iranian army conducted similar operations in February as well, with the goal of “increasing defense capabilities to counter any kind of threat”. As for China, the country organized exercises in the Tasman Sea, near Australia last month.

The exercises in the “Security Belt” for China are of special interest since said country is trying to demonstrate its maritime capabilities, especially the aquatic fighting force.

The inclusion of these three countries, from the side of China, is a sign that it is trying to counter the U.S. influence globally, especially at a time when the United States is voicing warnings about the possible attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities by Israel.

China, Russia, and Iran are conducting joint naval exercises Read More »

Scroll to Top