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News | Aug. 25, 2015

Georgian MoD speaks on the "Changing Security Paradigm in Europe"

By Ben Fisher

On 20 August 2015, The Honorable Tinatin Khidasheli, Minister of Defense of Georgia, met with NDU leadership and presented on the topic of “A Changing Security Paradigm in Europe” as part of The College of International Security Affairs’ (CISA) Chancellor’s Lecture Series. Over 200 people attended the event from NDU and the broader Washington D.C. research community.

In her remarks, Khidasheli emphasized that Russian aggression in Eastern Europe would not cease without a unified effort by NATO and the West to confront Putin’s illegal actions. The minister highlighted that the West needed to choose between a future governed by international law and diplomacy or a future shaped by Russian belligerence. Following her speech, CISA students and guests engaged in a lively, off-the-record Q&A session with Khidasheli.

The minister’s delegation was comprised of the Chief of the General Staff, the Georgian Ambassador to the United States, and key staff from the ministry. This included Ambassador Shota Gvineria, a CISA 2015 alumnus, who serves as her Foreign Policy Advisor. In her opening remarks, Khidasheli highlighted the value of educating international partners at NDU, and was pleased to have an NDU graduate on her personal staff. Following her speech, CISA Chancellor Michael Bell presented the minister with several books published recently by CISA faculty.