Geocase has organized the online discussion entitled ‘Russia’s Demarche: Political and Military Implications’.

Distinguished guests and speakers included: Mr Rich Brady, CDFM, CGFM, CMA, Chief Executive Officer, American Society of Military Comptrollers, the Geocase Advisory Board Member; Mr Dakota Wood, Senior Research Fellow, Defense Programs, Center for National Defense, Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy, the Heritage Foundation; Mr Vakhtang Kapanadze, Doctor of Military Sciences, Major-General (retired), Advisor, Geocase. Mr Victor Kipiani, Chairman of Geocase moderated the discussions. 

The aim of the event was to discuss the recent military conflict in Ukraine and tensions between Russia and NATO/USA. The speakers discussed NATO’s eastern flank and shared their views on how the current crisis in Ukraine could impact on security and geopolitics in Eurasia. As well as political and military implications of the conflict.

Mr Rich Brady reviewed the changing nature of warfare and the security policy of the countries through the years as well as the deterrence factors against military aggression. According to him, there is a lot of opportunity at the tactical and operational level for increased engagement between United States forces and the Georgian armed forces given their history, background, and warrior ethos, although all depends on the strategic desire of the parties. 

During his presentation, Mr Dakota Wood underlined how the Russian assault of Ukraine has made many governments reassess the risks and expectations that actually accompany a real war on real terrain. With regards to alliances, he noted: “Countries that live in tough neighborhoods have to make do for themselves and then bring strength and be a net contributor to whatever group they want to join. To be stable economically, politically, militarily and be as independently strong as possible is in the best interest of Georgia’s future.”

Mr Vakhtang Kapanadze reviewed the Russian military strategy and stressed the importance of more technical support from the West and NATO to Ukraine. “The best combat system is a human being. I believe that today’s Ukrainian armed forces are much different than in 2014. The strategic center of gravity for Ukraine is the support of ordinary people as it is of very high resistance,” - he noted. 

Mr Victor Kipiani summarized the webinar and emphasized reinforcing of the Black Sea regional security. ‘Conflict in Ukraine is a litmus test in many respects. It is a very critical point in time. The world looks like moving more into a hub-and-spoke security model. The black sea could be a very strong united factor in addition to NATO, and a stand-alone example in terms of boosting Georgian defence security and the US potential and interests in the region.’ -  stated Mr Kipiani.

In the end, the idea of holding another webinar on other aspects and details of the discussed topic was voiced.

Watch the webinar recording