**Georgia Names Former Lawmaker Tamar Taliashvili as New Ambassador to the US**
After a seven-month hiatus, Georgia has finally appointed a new ambassador to the United States. Tamar Taliashvili, a former lawmaker from the ruling Georgian Dream party, will take on the role, effective July 10.
Taliashvili’s appointment comes at a time when relations between Georgia and the US are at an all-time low. The tension began in December, when the US suspended its strategic partnership with Georgia. This decision was made in response to allegations of human rights abuses and anti-democratic actions by the Georgian Dream government.
**A Lawyer Turned Diplomat**
Tamar Taliashvili has a strong background in law and politics. She served as Georgia’s permanent representative to the Council of Europe since 2022 and held various positions, including vice president of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities. Before that, she was a member of the Georgian Parliament from 2020 to 2022 and a member of the Tbilisi City Council (Sakrebulo) from 2014 to 2020.
**A Challenging Task Ahead**
Taliashvili’s new role will be highly challenging. The US has imposed sanctions on several top officials from the Georgian Dream party, including founder Bidzina Ivanishvili. The recent MEGOBARI Act passed the US House of Representatives and is set to be reviewed by the Senate. This bill aims to sanction officials responsible for human rights abuses related to Georgia’s anti-Western shift.
**A Shift in Relations**
The strained relationship between Georgia and the US began when Georgian Dream turned away from Western values and towards a more authoritarian path. The tension was exacerbated by Ivanishvili’s refusal to meet with US Ambassador Robin Dunnigan, citing “personal complexes” stemming from sanctions imposed on him.
Despite initial hopes that Donald Trump’s return to power would improve bilateral relations, the situation has only worsened. Secretary of State Marco Rubio referred to Georgian Dream as an “anti-American government” in response to a question from Congressman Joe Wilson. The US has been reviewing its relations with Georgia, and it remains to be seen how Taliashvili will navigate these complex waters.
**What’s Next?**
As the new ambassador to the US, Tamar Taliashvili faces an uphill battle to repair the damaged relationship between Georgia and America. Her appointment is a significant step towards normalizing ties, but much work remains to be done. The international community will be watching closely to see how she navigates these challenging times.
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(Note: I rewrote the article in simpler language while maintaining its original meaning and depth. I also added paragraphs for easier reading.)
