Hans Gutbrod
@hansgutbrod.bsky.social
Interest in policy, think tanks, Caucasus, dogs, ethics. Teach at Ilia State University.
I do not think I am promising too much if I say that this story will blow your mind -- how esoteric numerology with bizarro claims about Aryan, Chaldeans and Mesopotamia gives you a surprisingly accurate insight of how to understand #Georgia today.
open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
Quackery with a University Logo: How Bizarre Numerology Offers a Surprisingly Accurate Glimpse of Contemporatory Georgia
While the Georgian Dream systematically dismantles the country’s leading universities, it greenlights degrees in “Astrolinguistics” at Bidzina Ivanishvili’s flagship Kutaisi International University.
open.substack.com
February 16, 2026 at 9:43 PM
I do not think I am promising too much if I say that this story will blow your mind -- how esoteric numerology with bizarro claims about Aryan, Chaldeans and Mesopotamia gives you a surprisingly accurate insight of how to understand #Georgia today.
open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
You are not legitimate if you threaten to prosecute those that challenge your legitimacy. #Georgia
Georgia’s ruling party has presented draft legislation that would criminalise the ‘establishment of a perception’ that Georgia’s governmental bodies are illegitimate. The bill introduces penalties including up to three years in prison.
oc-media.org/ban-on-quest...
oc-media.org/ban-on-quest...
Ban on questioning government legitimacy introduced to Georgian parliament
The ruling party equates what it calls ‘establishing the perception’ that the government is illegitimate with extremism.
oc-media.org
February 16, 2026 at 6:24 PM
You are not legitimate if you threaten to prosecute those that challenge your legitimacy. #Georgia
Reposted by Hans Gutbrod
Georgia: Freedom Square led by Levan Tsutskiridze is transforming into a political party. Last weekend they held a large conference attended by around 800.
Amidst the disintegrating and decapitated opposition, Tsutskiridze convinced everyone only protests is not enough.
oc-media.org/amidst-state...
Amidst the disintegrating and decapitated opposition, Tsutskiridze convinced everyone only protests is not enough.
oc-media.org/amidst-state...
Amidst state pressure, a small Georgian party seeks a ‘new stage’ for change
Freedom Square sees anti-government resistance as important, but not enough on its own.
oc-media.org
February 12, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Georgia: Freedom Square led by Levan Tsutskiridze is transforming into a political party. Last weekend they held a large conference attended by around 800.
Amidst the disintegrating and decapitated opposition, Tsutskiridze convinced everyone only protests is not enough.
oc-media.org/amidst-state...
Amidst the disintegrating and decapitated opposition, Tsutskiridze convinced everyone only protests is not enough.
oc-media.org/amidst-state...
Good illustration of how drastic the rampage is. I'd quibble with "government critical" -- rather: "insisting on academic freedom."
Under its new education reform, the Georgian government has cut 92% of admissions at the government-critical Ilia State University.
Georgia cuts 92% of admissions at government-critical Ilia State University
The announcement was quickly followed by student protests.
oc-media.org
February 14, 2026 at 6:17 AM
Good illustration of how drastic the rampage is. I'd quibble with "government critical" -- rather: "insisting on academic freedom."
Reposted by Hans Gutbrod
This is a criminal attempt at destruction and silencing of knowledge. And it’s very intentional, in light of the leading role Georgian academics and students have played in protests against authoritarian rule
in another entirely illegal move, the nihilistic totalitarianism of the Georgian Dream continues its rampage, here against #Georgia's most successful research university.
Yes, it is a regime, and yes, this is illegal and totally illegitimate.
open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
Yes, it is a regime, and yes, this is illegal and totally illegitimate.
open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
Unconstitutional Assault Strips Universities of Core Faculties
Starting 2026, most programs and faculties will be cut or reassigned, with Ilia State University effectively dismantled and GTU reduced to technical disciplines.
open.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 6:57 PM
This is a criminal attempt at destruction and silencing of knowledge. And it’s very intentional, in light of the leading role Georgian academics and students have played in protests against authoritarian rule
Reposted by Hans Gutbrod
Talked this week with two persons highly knowledgable about, and with considerable personal experience of, Georgia. Both said they could not work out Georgian Dream's reasoning for such counterproductive from the POV of its own interests, antagonistic moves.
"nihilistic totalitarianism" seems apt.
"nihilistic totalitarianism" seems apt.
in another entirely illegal move, the nihilistic totalitarianism of the Georgian Dream continues its rampage, here against #Georgia's most successful research university.
Yes, it is a regime, and yes, this is illegal and totally illegitimate.
open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
Yes, it is a regime, and yes, this is illegal and totally illegitimate.
open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
Unconstitutional Assault Strips Universities of Core Faculties
Starting 2026, most programs and faculties will be cut or reassigned, with Ilia State University effectively dismantled and GTU reduced to technical disciplines.
open.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:03 PM
Talked this week with two persons highly knowledgable about, and with considerable personal experience of, Georgia. Both said they could not work out Georgian Dream's reasoning for such counterproductive from the POV of its own interests, antagonistic moves.
"nihilistic totalitarianism" seems apt.
"nihilistic totalitarianism" seems apt.
in another entirely illegal move, the nihilistic totalitarianism of the Georgian Dream continues its rampage, here against #Georgia's most successful research university.
Yes, it is a regime, and yes, this is illegal and totally illegitimate.
open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
Yes, it is a regime, and yes, this is illegal and totally illegitimate.
open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
Unconstitutional Assault Strips Universities of Core Faculties
Starting 2026, most programs and faculties will be cut or reassigned, with Ilia State University effectively dismantled and GTU reduced to technical disciplines.
open.substack.com
February 12, 2026 at 3:32 PM
in another entirely illegal move, the nihilistic totalitarianism of the Georgian Dream continues its rampage, here against #Georgia's most successful research university.
Yes, it is a regime, and yes, this is illegal and totally illegitimate.
open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
Yes, it is a regime, and yes, this is illegal and totally illegitimate.
open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
Apt contrast between poor woman sitting & eating from container, freezing night, inside TBC ATM place <=> the $150k luxury SUVs idling, just around the corner, in/at BI's 5 star Freedom Square building & hotel. #Georgia
February 11, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Apt contrast between poor woman sitting & eating from container, freezing night, inside TBC ATM place <=> the $150k luxury SUVs idling, just around the corner, in/at BI's 5 star Freedom Square building & hotel. #Georgia
The beautiful Georgian word for snow ❄️ in snow: tovli.
Saburtalo today.
Saburtalo today.
February 11, 2026 at 12:52 PM
The beautiful Georgian word for snow ❄️ in snow: tovli.
Saburtalo today.
Saburtalo today.
A truly Kafkaesque trial, with the intent to harm and repress but next to no substance, vague charges and random items such as "evidence, the prosecution has submitted records of viewing Zelenskyy’s website and Arakhamia’s website." #Georgia
🟥 A court has held a so-called pre-trial hearing in the “sabotage” case against eight opposition politicians, admitting all prosecution evidence and moving the case to the merits stage.
#RepressionsInGeorgia #Georgia
batumelebi.netgazeti.ge/articles-in-...
#RepressionsInGeorgia #Georgia
batumelebi.netgazeti.ge/articles-in-...
“Sabotage” Case Against Eight Opposition Politicians Moves Forward - Court Report - Batumelebi
Court • Repression In Georgia •
batumelebi.netgazeti.ge
February 11, 2026 at 4:18 AM
A truly Kafkaesque trial, with the intent to harm and repress but next to no substance, vague charges and random items such as "evidence, the prosecution has submitted records of viewing Zelenskyy’s website and Arakhamia’s website." #Georgia
In a normal country, minister in charge would resign. But cabinet is accountable only to one man, not to the people of #Georgia.
This whim has passed, but others are still upon us & who knows what's to come. (The minister, too, let's recall, previously was less than straight about his doctorate.)
This whim has passed, but others are still upon us & who knows what's to come. (The minister, too, let's recall, previously was less than straight about his doctorate.)
After a broad public backlash, the Georgian government has reversed its decision to merge two of the country’s most prominent universities — Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University — as part of a controversial education reform.
oc-media.org/georgian-gov...
oc-media.org/georgian-gov...
Georgian government drops university merger after public backlash
The decision to merge two notable universities was followed by discontent among students and professors, as well as the general public.
oc-media.org
February 10, 2026 at 4:35 AM
In a normal country, minister in charge would resign. But cabinet is accountable only to one man, not to the people of #Georgia.
This whim has passed, but others are still upon us & who knows what's to come. (The minister, too, let's recall, previously was less than straight about his doctorate.)
This whim has passed, but others are still upon us & who knows what's to come. (The minister, too, let's recall, previously was less than straight about his doctorate.)
Reposted by Hans Gutbrod
Just in: Following mass and unprecedented protests from academia, Georgian Dream has decided to retract its decision to merge Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University, the country’s two oldest state universities. 1/
February 9, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Just in: Following mass and unprecedented protests from academia, Georgian Dream has decided to retract its decision to merge Tbilisi State University and Georgian Technical University, the country’s two oldest state universities. 1/
It's a grim time in #Georgia & all the more remarkable that people step forward to reclaim the country's future, both across civil society and with Tavisuplebis Moedani / Freedom Square convening.
Sensible focus on presenting a credible alternative & showing that country can do much better.
Sensible focus on presenting a credible alternative & showing that country can do much better.
A new civic forum, For the Love of Georgia, convened on February 8. Bringing together politicians, academics, artists, intellectuals and activists, among others, the forum appears aimed at creating an alternative to Georgian Dream rule.
Opposition, Civil Society Launch ‘For the Love of Georgia’ Forum - Civil Georgia
A new civic forum, For the Love of Georgia, convened on February 8. Bringing together politicians, a
civil.ge
February 9, 2026 at 10:28 AM
It's a grim time in #Georgia & all the more remarkable that people step forward to reclaim the country's future, both across civil society and with Tavisuplebis Moedani / Freedom Square convening.
Sensible focus on presenting a credible alternative & showing that country can do much better.
Sensible focus on presenting a credible alternative & showing that country can do much better.
Evocative update, great voice, on Tsalenjikha & trying to hold it together. #Georgia
"Tsalenjikha was Georgia’s rogue municipality. Now it’s complicated," read a photoessay by Gvantsa Lomaia about Georgia's rebellious town, its villages, and conflicts:
PhotoEssay | My Once-Rebellious Municipality - Civil Georgia
Author: Gvantsa Lomaia My grandmother had a spicy tongue that could make you want to die. But in the
civil.ge
February 9, 2026 at 5:20 AM
Evocative update, great voice, on Tsalenjikha & trying to hold it together. #Georgia
there is something darkly comic that after talking about "Second Front" for years, the strategic mastermind of Kobakhidze opened one up himself by his vicious attack on TSU/ GTU.
Now GTU leadership highlights nasty distortions & falsehoods on Rustavi & Imedi
ganatleba.substack.com/p/from-loyal...
Now GTU leadership highlights nasty distortions & falsehoods on Rustavi & Imedi
ganatleba.substack.com/p/from-loyal...
From Loyalty to Target – GTU Confronts Georgian Dream Aligned Media
The dispute between academia and the Georgian Dream led government escalated further as propaganda media outlets alienated once loyal representatives of Georgian Technical University.
ganatleba.substack.com
February 5, 2026 at 8:57 AM
there is something darkly comic that after talking about "Second Front" for years, the strategic mastermind of Kobakhidze opened one up himself by his vicious attack on TSU/ GTU.
Now GTU leadership highlights nasty distortions & falsehoods on Rustavi & Imedi
ganatleba.substack.com/p/from-loyal...
Now GTU leadership highlights nasty distortions & falsehoods on Rustavi & Imedi
ganatleba.substack.com/p/from-loyal...
Happy to recommend this, too!!!
For anyone following #GeorgiaProtests, check out Talk Georgia @talkgeorgia.bsky.social, an English-language podcast on Georgian and regional politics. They release two shows each week plus a news update on key political developments in Georgia. 🇬🇪🇪🇺
Please follow👇🏻 and repost ❤️
Please follow👇🏻 and repost ❤️
Missed yesterday's Talk Georgia? check it out here to Join Giorgi Rukhadze & Nodar Kharshiladze as they tackle week’s top question: what would adoption of the new grants law mean?
Spotify: 2cm.es/1nUwb
Apple Pod: 2cm.es/1nYrW
Spotify: 2cm.es/1nUwb
Apple Pod: 2cm.es/1nYrW
February 5, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Happy to recommend this, too!!!
why is Tulsi Gabbard investigating the wrong #Georgia -- quite the read from the Georgia in the Caucasus
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-is-tul...
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-is-tul...
Why Is Tulsi Gabbard Investigating the Wrong Georgia?
Sidelined from her real job, she chases Trump conspiracy theories instead of problems overseas.
www.thebulwark.com
February 4, 2026 at 8:45 PM
why is Tulsi Gabbard investigating the wrong #Georgia -- quite the read from the Georgia in the Caucasus
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-is-tul...
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-is-tul...
I kind of feel sorry for Lasha.
If meeting went badly because of all the GD craziness, he'll be dressed down for not delivering though he anyway couldn't.
If it actually went *well*, he'll likely soon be suspected of fraternizing w the Deep State, as happened to several previous emissaries.
If meeting went badly because of all the GD craziness, he'll be dressed down for not delivering though he anyway couldn't.
If it actually went *well*, he'll likely soon be suspected of fraternizing w the Deep State, as happened to several previous emissaries.
Georgian Dream Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia met with the U.S. State Department’s Senior Bureau Official for European and Eurasian Affairs, Brendan Hanrahan.
GD Deputy Foreign Minister Meets U.S. State Department Official in Washington - Civil Georgia
Georgian Dream Deputy Foreign Minister Lasha Darsalia met with Brendan Hanrahan, the U.S. State Depa
civil.ge
February 4, 2026 at 11:09 AM
I kind of feel sorry for Lasha.
If meeting went badly because of all the GD craziness, he'll be dressed down for not delivering though he anyway couldn't.
If it actually went *well*, he'll likely soon be suspected of fraternizing w the Deep State, as happened to several previous emissaries.
If meeting went badly because of all the GD craziness, he'll be dressed down for not delivering though he anyway couldn't.
If it actually went *well*, he'll likely soon be suspected of fraternizing w the Deep State, as happened to several previous emissaries.
Quite a few other contexts this can apply to.
once again these things boil down to “is your group a bohemian cultural identity” or “is your group actually trying to do things?” and the key tell is whether your activity centers on policing of in-group behavior or whether it centers on, again, tangible goals
February 4, 2026 at 4:21 AM
Quite a few other contexts this can apply to.
Even self-described supporters /მხარდამჭერები /mkhardamjerebi of Bidzina Ivanishvili are appealing for international attention to stop the destructive rampage that the Prime Minister is on.
The full letter -- previously mentioned -- in this post. open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
The full letter -- previously mentioned -- in this post. open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
Letter of the Georgian Technical University Academic Community to Bidzina Ivanishvili
After a polite opening, this appeal is unsparing in its criticism of the Prime Minister's plan that threatens to " return [...] the country 100 years back, to a rootless, futureless Georgia."
open.substack.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Even self-described supporters /მხარდამჭერები /mkhardamjerebi of Bidzina Ivanishvili are appealing for international attention to stop the destructive rampage that the Prime Minister is on.
The full letter -- previously mentioned -- in this post. open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
The full letter -- previously mentioned -- in this post. open.substack.com/pub/ganatleb...
Illustration of how GD's current rampage causes discontent even among their own -- here a letter to Bidzina Ivanishvili, groveling but highly critical of the education restructuring.
gtu.ge/en/News/?ELE...
gtu.ge/en/News/?ELE...
English
Geor
gtu.ge
February 1, 2026 at 10:59 AM
Illustration of how GD's current rampage causes discontent even among their own -- here a letter to Bidzina Ivanishvili, groveling but highly critical of the education restructuring.
gtu.ge/en/News/?ELE...
gtu.ge/en/News/?ELE...
A little puzzled people say "how does this make sense?" about newest ultra repressive laws in #Georgia, when the evidence that this clique is on a paranoid rampage in all directions (now businesses & even their own) is so abundantly clear.
This will continue to escalate, too.
This will continue to escalate, too.
January 30, 2026 at 6:54 AM
A little puzzled people say "how does this make sense?" about newest ultra repressive laws in #Georgia, when the evidence that this clique is on a paranoid rampage in all directions (now businesses & even their own) is so abundantly clear.
This will continue to escalate, too.
This will continue to escalate, too.
Usually one complains about headlines -- and then there are cases where they sum it up exceptionally well.
Here is one great summary! Very well done, @ocmedia.bsky.social
oc-media.org/georgias-ene...
Here is one great summary! Very well done, @ocmedia.bsky.social
oc-media.org/georgias-ene...
Georgia’s energy sector is leaking money — into Russian coffers
Strategic energy projects remain stalled or abandoned with millions instead going to pay arbitration disputes led by Russia and Turkey.
oc-media.org
January 29, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Usually one complains about headlines -- and then there are cases where they sum it up exceptionally well.
Here is one great summary! Very well done, @ocmedia.bsky.social
oc-media.org/georgias-ene...
Here is one great summary! Very well done, @ocmedia.bsky.social
oc-media.org/georgias-ene...
This letter is collecting more signatures!
#FreeBahruz
He is truly a very good guy & shouldn't be locked up. #Azerbaijan
freebahruzcampaign.org/news/zizek-s...
#FreeBahruz
He is truly a very good guy & shouldn't be locked up. #Azerbaijan
freebahruzcampaign.org/news/zizek-s...
Slavoj Žižek and renowned scholars demand freedom for Bahruz Samadov | Free Bahruz Campaign
Support unjustly imprisoned Azerbaijani scholar Bahruz Samadov!
freebahruzcampaign.org
January 28, 2026 at 5:40 AM
This letter is collecting more signatures!
#FreeBahruz
He is truly a very good guy & shouldn't be locked up. #Azerbaijan
freebahruzcampaign.org/news/zizek-s...
#FreeBahruz
He is truly a very good guy & shouldn't be locked up. #Azerbaijan
freebahruzcampaign.org/news/zizek-s...
Why the critical battle is even more about attention than it is about freedom -- excellent piece with lots of practical advice by a good friend, must-must read if you're interested in #Georgia. #lossi36
lossi36.com/2026/01/25/t...
lossi36.com/2026/01/25/t...
To make 2026 victorious in Georgia, these three things are needed - Lossi 36
Davit Jincharadze explains the three major aspects of Georgia’s resistance that he believes have to be won in 2026.
lossi36.com
January 27, 2026 at 7:31 AM
Why the critical battle is even more about attention than it is about freedom -- excellent piece with lots of practical advice by a good friend, must-must read if you're interested in #Georgia. #lossi36
lossi36.com/2026/01/25/t...
lossi36.com/2026/01/25/t...