The pro-American former president of Georgia, who went to war with Putin in 2008, is now a homeless man and is arrested and imprisoned
On the stage of international politics, some people are as short and dazzling as meteors, while others fall into the dust like meteors. Mikhail · Saakashvili's political career is like a drama of ups and downs. The former president of Georgia appeared as a reformer, leading the country down a pro-Western path. However, the gears of fate took a sharp turn in a war in 2008. From-for-tat with Putin to exile abroad, and now in prison, Saakashvili's life trajectory is embarrassing. What kind of choice made this once glamorous politician end up in such a situation? What kind of inspiration can his rise and fall bring us?
The Rise of Saakashvili: From Student to President
Mikhail Saakashvili was born on December 21, 1967 · Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, into a family of intellectuals. His father was a doctor and his mother was a historian. Growing up in such a family environment, Saakashvili received a good education from an early age, cultivating a thirst for knowledge and an interest in social issues.
Saakashvili's path to education was smooth sailing. He graduated with honors from Tbilisi No. 1 High School and then entered Kyiv University with a degree in international law. During the turbulent period on the eve of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the young Saakashvili experienced this historic change firsthand, which undoubtedly had a profound impact on his later political ideas.
In 1992, Saakashvili received a scholarship from the United States Department of State to continue his studies at Colombia University in New York. Here, he not only obtained a master's degree in law, but more importantly, he was exposed to the ideas of Western democracy and free market economics. This experience laid the theoretical foundation for his later pro-Western policies in Georgia.
After returning from his studies, Saakashvili quickly entered politics. In 1995, at the age of 28, he was elected to the Georgia Parliament, becoming one of the youngest members of parliament at that time. His eloquence and boldness soon caught the attention of then-President Shevardnadze. In 2000, Saakashvili began his government career with the appointment of Minister of Justice.
However, Saakashvili was not satisfied with this. He soon discovered that the Shevardnadze government had serious problems with corruption. In 2001, Saakashvili resigned as justice minister on anti-corruption grounds and founded the opposition party, the United National Movement. The move marked his transition from an in-system reformer to an out-of-system challenger.
In November 2003, mass demonstrations erupted in Georgia known as the "Rose Revolution". The Saakashvili-led opposition accused the Shevardnadze government of fraud in the parliamentary elections. Demonstrators, armed with roses, poured into the parliament building, forcing Shevardnadze to resign. The success of this peaceful revolution made Saakashvili a rising star in Georgia's political arena.
On January 4, 2004, Saakashvili won the presidential election by a landslide, becoming the youngest president of Georgia since independence. His inaugural address was full of passion and ambition, promising to bring fundamental change to Georgia, democratization and modernization.
From the very beginning of his tenure, Saakashvili showed a strong governing style. He vigorously pursued an anti-corruption campaign, disbanded the notorious traffic police, and investigated and prosecuted a number of high-ranking officials and businessmen. These measures have achieved remarkable results in the short term and have won the support of the population.
In foreign policy, Saakashvili made it clear that he would lead Georgia to join the EU and NATO and strengthen cooperation with Western countries. He frequently visited the United States and European countries, actively seeking political and economic support. This pro-Western diplomatic line, while welcomed by United States and Europe, also provoked a deterioration in relations with Russia.
The rise of Saakashvili reflects the changes in the political ecology of the CIS countries after the collapse of the Soviet Union. His success was driven not only by his personal talent and charisma, but also by the desire for change among the Georgian people at the time. However, like many young reformers throughout history, Saakashvili's political career was fraught with challenges and controversies. His strong style and pro-Western policies brought opportunities to Georgia and sowed the seeds of future conflicts.
Reforms and controversies during the presidency
When Saakashvili became president of Georgia, he quickly embarked on a series of ambitious reform programs. His administration focused on three areas: anti-corruption, economic liberalization, and a pro-Western foreign policy, which have produced remarkable results but also caused controversy.
The anti-corruption campaign was one of the most striking policies of Saakashvili since he came to power. He took a series of drastic measures, including dismantling the notorious traffic police unit, restructuring law enforcement agencies, and investigating and prosecuting a number of senior officials and businessmen. In February 2004, Saakashvili's government arrested former Energy Minister Nikolai · Gilaury, accusing him of corruption and abuse of power. This action was seen as a signal of a declaration of war against corrupt forces.
Saakashvili's government has also introduced an innovative anti-corruption measure – raising the salaries of civil servants. He believes that low wages are one of the main causes of corruption in public officials. By drastically increasing salaries, the government hopes to reduce the incentives for officials to take bribes. This policy did have some effect in the short term, and Georgia rose in the international transparency index.
However, the anti-corruption campaign has also sparked controversy. Some critics have pointed to selective enforcement of the Saakashvili government's anti-corruption measures, targeting political opponents and dissidents. In 2005, for example, former Defense Minister Iraq · Okuashvili were accused of corruption and abuse of power, but his supporters called it a witch hunt. This approach raises questions about whether Saakashvili is truly committed to building a society governed by the rule of law.
In the economic sphere, Saakashvili carried out large-scale liberalization reforms. He simplified the tax system, lowered corporate tax rates, and deregulated commerce. In 2006, the World Bank named Georgia the "World's Best Country for Reform." These measures have indeed attracted a large amount of foreign investment and boosted economic growth. Georgia's GDP growth rate rose from 1.8 per cent in 2003 to 12.3 per cent in 2007.
However, economic liberalization policies have also had some negative effects. Some critics point out that such "shock therapy" reforms have exacerbated the gap between rich and poor, concentrating most of the economic benefits in the hands of a few elites. In addition, the opaque operation of the privatization process has also sparked public discontent. In 2007, mass protests erupted in Georgia, one of the main reasons for which was popular dissatisfaction with the unfair distribution of the fruits of economic reforms.
In foreign policy, Saakashvili firmly pursued a pro-Western course, actively seeking membership in NATO and the European Union. He frequently visited the United States and European countries and worked to strengthen political and economic ties with the West. In 2005, United States President George W. Bush visited Georgia and praised the country as a "beacon of freedom." Saakashvili also sent Georgia troops to participate in United States military operations in Iraq as a demonstration of Georgia's value as a reliable ally.
However, this pro-Western foreign policy inevitably led to a deterioration in relations with Russia. Russia, which considers Georgia as its traditional sphere of influence, is unhappy with the actions of the Saakashvili government. In 2006, Russia imposed economic sanctions on Georgia, including a ban on the import of Georgia's wine and mineral water. This dealt a severe blow to Georgia's economy and raised questions about Saakashvili's foreign policy at home.
Saakashvili's strongman political style has also caused controversy. Despite his promise to push for democratic reforms, he has in reality gradually concentrated more power. In 2004, he pushed for a constitutional amendment that increased the powers of the president. This move provoked strong criticism from the opposition, who accused Saakashvili of creating a dictatorship.
In November 2007, large-scale anti-government demonstrations erupted in Georgia. The Saakashvili government took tough measures to suppress the demonstrations, including declaring a state of emergency and shutting down independent television stations. This incident seriously damaged Saakashvili's image as a democratic reformer and deepened social divisions.
Overall, Saakashvili's reforms during his presidency have been mixed. Anti-corruption campaigns and economic liberalization policies have indeed brought about some positive changes, but they have also sparked controversy and discontent. His pro-Western foreign policy, while winning the support of Western countries, has also led to a deterioration in relations with Russia. And his increasingly humane approach to rule has raised concerns about the future of democracy in Georgia. These contradictions and controversies set the stage for future political turmoil.
The Russo-Georgian War of 2008: Saakashvili's fatal mistake
On August 7, 2008, a sudden war broke out in the Caucasus, a conflict known as the "Five-Day War" that not only completely changed the political landscape of Georgia, but also had a decisive impact on Saakashvili's political career. The causes, processes, and results of this war deeply reflect the complex geopolitical situation in the Caucasus and Saakashvili's strategic miscalculation in handling relations with Russia.
The fuse of the war can be traced back to the long-standing conflict in the South Ossetia region. South Ossetia is an autonomous region within Georgia that has sought independence since the collapse of the Soviet Union. The first armed conflict between Georgia and South Ossetia broke out in 1991-1992, which ended with Russia's mediation. After that, Russia stationed troops in the region under the guise of peacekeepers and actually became the protector of South Ossetia.
After Saakashvili came to power, he made the restoration of Georgia's territorial integrity one of his main political goals. He has repeatedly expressed his desire to reunite South Ossetia and Abkhazia (another autonomous region of Georgia seeking independence). This position inevitably exacerbated tensions with Russia.
At the end of July 2008, friction between Georgia and South Ossetia was increasing. Both sides accuse each other of launching artillery shelling and military provocations. On 1 August, a series of explosions near Tskhinvali, the capital of South Ossetia, killed six people. This incident further heightened tensions.
On the night of August 7, the Saakashvili government made a fateful decision: to launch a full-scale military offensive against South Ossetia. The Georgian army began shelling Tskhinvali and sent ground troops into the area. In a televised address, Saakashvili declared that this was to "restore constitutional order."
However, this action quickly provoked a strong reaction from Russia. In the early hours of August 8, Russia entered South Ossetia with a massive military presence to protect its citizens (Russia had previously issued a large number of passports to South Ossetian residents) and peacekeeping forces. The Russian army not only quickly repelled the Georgian army, but also crossed the border of South Ossetia and penetrated deep into Georgia proper.
The course of the war was extremely unfavorable for Georgia. The Russia Air Force bombed several military targets in Georgia, including Tbilisi International Airport and the port of Poti. At the same time, the Russia Black Sea Fleet blocked the Black Sea coastline of Georgia. The Georgian army was quickly routed in the face of Russia's formidable military power and was forced to withdraw from South Ossetia.
The Saakashvili government quickly appealed to the international community for help. He has repeatedly spoken in the international media, accusing Russia of "aggressive behavior." However, despite the condemnation of Russia's actions by the United States and EU countries, no substantial military assistance was taken.
On August 12, Russia President Dmitry Medvedev announced a halt to military operations under the mediation of France President Nicolas Sarkozy. The next day, Georgia and Russia signed a ceasefire agreement. However, the agreement effectively confirmed Russia's military presence in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, which are de facto out of Georgia's control.
The war took a heavy toll on Georgia. It is estimated that about 170 military personnel and 228 civilians were killed in the fighting and about 25,000 were displaced on the Georgia side. The material damage was also severe, with several cities in Georgia damaged and almost total military infrastructure destroyed.
For Saakashvili, the war was a catastrophic defeat. Not only did he fail to achieve his goal of recovering South Ossetia, but Georgia lost de facto control of the region. More importantly, the war exposed the limits of Saakashvili's foreign policy. Although he has been committed to an alliance with the West, at a critical moment, the West did not provide substantial military support to Georgia.
After the war, Saakashvili faced serious political challenges. The domestic opposition accused him of recklessly waging war and putting the country at risk. Many Georgians have doubts about the government's decision-making capabilities. Although Saakashvili retained the presidency after the war, his political popularity was seriously damaged.
The Russo-Georgian war of 2008 became a turning point in Saakashvili's political career. The war not only changed the geopolitical landscape of the Caucasus, but also profoundly affected Georgia's domestic and foreign affairs. For Saakashvili, the war revealed his limitations in dealing with complex international relations and laid the groundwork for his later political fortunes.
The decline of a political career and exile
After the Russo-Georgian war in 2008, Mikhail · Saakashvili's political career began to decline. The war not only exposed his major mistakes in foreign policy, but also severely weakened his political support at home. Over the next few years, Saakashvili faced a series of political challenges that eventually led to his loss of power and exile.
After the war, the political climate in Georgia changed significantly. The opposition began to criticize Saakashvili more openly for the way he was governed, accusing him of reckless decision-making in the war. In April 2009, large-scale anti-government demonstrations erupted in Georgia. The demonstrators demanded Saakashvili's resignation, accusing him of his mistakes in the war and his increasingly authoritarian way of rule. These demonstrations, which lasted for several months, became one of the most serious challenges facing the Saakashvili regime.
In the face of domestic and international pressure, Saakashvili tried to win back the hearts and minds of the people by introducing a series of political reforms. In 2010, he proposed constitutional amendments aimed at limiting the powers of the president and increasing the powers of parliament and the prime minister. This initiative is seen as an important step in the transition to parliamentary democracy. However, the opposition believes that these reforms are not enough to change the political status quo in Georgia and continues to demand Saakashvili's resignation.
2012 was a turning point in Saakashvili's political career. In the parliamentary elections that year, the coalition "Georgia Dream", led by billionaire Bizni · Ivanishvili, won the victory over Saakashvili's "United National Movement" party. This marked the first peaceful change of power in Georgia since the Rose Revolution in 2003.
After the election results were announced, Saakashvili admitted defeat and expressed his readiness to cooperate with the new government. However, he still retained the presidency, which led to a period of "co-governance". This situation has sparked tensions and conflicts within the government. The new government began investigating a number of controversial events during the Saakashvili regime, including the 2007 crackdown on demonstrators and the alleged corruption of some senior officials.
In October 2013, Saakashvili's presidency ended. Prior to that, the Georgia parliament passed constitutional amendments that drastically curtailed the powers of the president. After the inauguration of newly elected President Georgi-· Margvelashvili, Saakashvili officially lost all political office in Georgia.
After losing power, Saakashvili faced an even more dire situation. The new government opened a judicial investigation into him, accusing him of abuse of power and corruption during his tenure. In July 2014, the Georgia prosecutor's office indicted Saakashvili on a number of charges, including abuse of power and embezzlement. Faced with these accusations, Saakashvili chose to leave Georgia and began his life in exile.
Saakashvili first traveled to the United States as a guest lecturer at Tufts University. During this period, he continued to comment on the political situation in Georgia through the media and social networks, criticizing the policies of the new government. In 2015, he accepted an invitation from Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko to be appointed governor of the Odessa region. The appointment sparked controversy, as Saakashvili had lost his Georgian citizenship by this time and had acquired Ukraine citizenship.
His political career in Ukraine has also been fraught with twists and turns. Saakashvili's relations with Poroshenko gradually deteriorated, and he eventually resigned as governor in November 2016. After that, he founded his own political party, the New Forces Movement, and continued to participate in Ukraine politics. However, in July 2017, Poroshenko revoked Saakashvili's Ukraine citizenship, making him stateless again.
In September 2017, Saakashvili forcibly entered Ukraine, causing a political storm. The Ukraine authorities tried to expel him from the country, but his supporters repeatedly blocked the operation. In February 2018, Saakashvili was eventually arrested and deported by Ukraine's security services and sent to Poland.
Since then, Saakashvili has traveled to various European countries, continuing to comment on the political situation in Georgia and Ukraine through social media and public speeches. Despite being abroad, he maintained his interest and influence on Georgia politics. However, he was unable to return to Georgia due to multiple criminal charges.
Saakashvili's political career, which ranged from glory to decline to exile, reflects the complex political ecology of the Caucasus. His experience also highlights the challenges and risks faced by politicians in the region. Despite being abroad, Saakashvili remains a controversial figure in Georgia's political scene, and his future remains the focus of Georgia political observers.
Saakashvili's political legacy and controversy
Mikhail · Saakashvili is one of the most controversial political figures in Georgia's recent history, and his political legacy continues to spark heated discussions in Georgia and the entire Caucasus today. His reign was marked by both remarkable achievements and controversy, all of which constitute his complex political legacy.
One of Saakashvili's most celebrated achievements is his anti-corruption efforts. At the beginning of his tenure, Georgia was one of the most corrupt countries in the post-Soviet space. Saakashvili took a series of bold measures, including a large-scale purge of corrupt officials, restructuring the police system, simplifying administrative procedures, etc. These measures have had a significant effect in the short term, and Georgia has risen rapidly in the Corruption Perceptions Index ranking of the International Transparency Organization. In 2010, the World Bank even ranked Georgia as one of the most successful countries in the world in fighting corruption.
However, Saakashvili's anti-corruption tactics have also sparked controversy. Critics point out that his approach is too radical and sometimes even violates the principles of the rule of law. In 2004, for example, he ordered the arrest of several senior officials of the previous Government, an action that was welcomed by the population but also criticized as political reprisals. In addition, some observers believe that Saakashvili's anti-corruption measures, while cracking down on small-scale corruption, have failed to eradicate high-level corruption and have instead led to a further concentration of power in the hands of the president and his cronies.
In terms of economic reforms, Saakashvili implemented a series of neoliberal policies, including large-scale privatization, reduced government intervention, and lower tax rates. These measures have promoted rapid economic growth in the short term, attracting a large amount of foreign investment. Georgia has risen sharply in the World Bank's "Ease of Doing Business" ranking, becoming an economy known as the "Tiger of the Caucasus". However, critics point out that this growth model has exacerbated the gap between rich and poor and failed to effectively improve the living standards of ordinary people.
Saakashvili's foreign policy legacy is equally controversial. He actively promoted Georgia's relations with the West, especially the United States and NATO, and worked to integrate Georgia into the Euro-Atlantic system. This policy led to a sharp deterioration in relations between Georgia and Russia, culminating in the Russo-Georgian War in 2008. Despite the fact that the outcome of the war was unfavorable for Georgia, Saakashvili's supporters believed that his foreign policy had won Georgia the attention and support of the international community and promoted the modernization of the country.
In terms of domestic politics, Saakashvili's legacy is more complicated. He pushed through a series of constitutional reforms in an attempt to build a more democratic political system. However, as time went on, his ruling style became more and more authoritarian. In 2007, the government's violent crackdown on opposition demonstrations drew international criticism. Saakashvili is also accused of using state resources to suppress the media and the opposition, actions that have seriously damaged his image as a democratic reformer.
The achievements of the Saakashvili government in terms of education and infrastructure construction are also worth mentioning. He vigorously promoted educational reforms, increased teachers' salaries, and improved school facilities, which significantly improved the standard of education in Georgia. In terms of infrastructure, the Government has invested heavily in the construction of roads, power stations and communication facilities, which have improved the country's infrastructure.
However, some of the policies of the Saakashvili government have also caused controversy. For example, his "zero-tolerance" criminal policy has led to a surge in prison populations, prompting criticism from human rights groups. The prison abuse scandal that came to light in 2012 became one of the main reasons for the fall of the Saakashvili regime.
In terms of cultural policy, Saakashvili sought to reshape Georgia's national image, emphasizing its European identity while downplaying the influence of the Soviet period. While this policy has gained support among younger generations, it has also raised concerns among some about the neglect of cultural traditions.
After Saakashvili left the center of power, his political legacy continues to have a profound impact on Georgia politics. The United National Movement (MEN) party, which he founded, has lost its ruling position, but is still one of the main opposition parties in the country. Saakashvili's supporters continue to play a role in parliament and local government, maintaining influence over state policy.
At the same time, Saakashvili's political legacy has had an impact in neighboring countries. His political experience in Ukraine, albeit controversial, also provided new ideas for political reform in the post-Soviet space. The anti-corruption and administrative reform model he advocated, despite its controversy, is still seen by some countries as a lesson to learn from.
In general, Saakashvili's political legacy is a complex system full of contradictions and controversies. It contains both remarkable reform achievements and many controversial and unresolved issues. These legacies not only influence the current political ecology of Georgia, but will continue to shape the country's future direction.