Matthew Collin in Georgia
'Guano Diplomacy' in the Caucasus
In the disputed Black Sea region of Abkhazia to report on presidential elections for Al Jazeera last weekend, we narrowly missed bumping into an unlikely diplomatic delegation from the world’s smallest island nation – the obscure Pacific state of Nauru....
Georgia Sells Itself
Strange scenes outside the Georgian parliament: the entire façade of the building seems to have been transformed into a giant advertising hoarding to promote various urban reconstruction projects and new luxury hotels. It’s part of a new billboard campaign (slogan:...
'Pirates' and 'Protectors' on the Black Sea
Fuel-smugglers, embargo-busters, accusations of piracy and threats of armed retribution: the temperature off the Black Sea coast of Georgia seems to be heating up towards boiling point. When I was in the disputed Black Sea region of Abkhazia a couple...
One Year On, Media War Continues
Over a year after the Georgia-Russia war, there’s still no sign of a ceasefire in the media battle for moral supremacy. It’s just emerged that the disputed regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia (which are claimed by Georgia but have been...
Temperature Rises, Anger Boils Over
There have been worrying signs in recent days that anti-government protests in Tbilisi - now in their third consecutive month - have the potential to descend into civil unrest. Protesters have been blocking several streets in the Georgian capital around...
Georgia Wins Fashion Battle
Benetton clothing shops in Georgia have been closed for several days in protest against Benetton Turkey’s announcement that it was planning to open a store in Sukhumi, the capital of the disputed region of Abkhazia. "Protest Against Opening of Benetton...
'Black Hole' in South Ossetia?
After the war with Georgia last year, Russia recognised the tiny, impoverished rural region of South Ossetia as an independent state. Moscow has now deployed border guards to police the frontlines and is in the process of establishing military bases...
Everyday Chaos in Tbilisi
Last week was another remarkable few days of chaos, intrigue and unresolved mystery in Georgia. An alleged uprising at a military base the day before prestigious NATO exercises were due to begin; arrests of alleged coup plotters; late-night...
Matthew Collin in Georgia:
Matthew Collin reports for Al Jazeera from Georgia, and is the author of several books including 'The Time of the...