The Washington Post: “Georgia’s role as U.S. coalition partner has honed its army, bolstered NATO hopes”

Georgia’s military has generated praise for its professionalism, dedication and high quality service, which has been proven time and time again and now Georgia is hoping its efforts will be rewarded from its international partners, writes Washington Post journalist Ernesto Londono.

An article published on August 13 on the Washington Post online edition, Londono presents a detailed analysis of Georgia’s military role in international missions, its desire to become a full member of NATO and the reasons why this hasn’t happened yet.

"While some troop contributors to the Afghan war have been welcomed to NATO or put on track to join the alliance, Georgia remains locked out — a source of particular consternation here at a time when Russia has just annexed part of Ukraine and continues to destabilize eastern Ukraine, according to alliance officials,” Londono writes.

The ongoing turbulent situation in Ukraine could turn things in Georgia’s favour, he says.

As relations between NATO and Russia crater, it enhances the possibility over time of Georgia getting more equipment and training…and if the current trajectory holds, perhaps Washington could persuade allies to put the country on a [NATO] membership track.

Read the full article at:www.washingtonpost.com