In article of "New York Times" there is discussed the results of the visit of US Secretary Defense Chuch Hagel in Georgia; positively evaluated the military collaboration of Georgia and USA, relations with NATO and shows optimism that the security of Georgia will be strengthened with the help of USA.
GHN offers extract of the article:
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's visit last weekend to Georgia was a reassuring gesture to a former Soviet republic that has assisted the United States in recent conflicts and is increasingly worried about Russia's expansionist streak.
Georgia's long quest to join NATO is understandable. Russia occupied two territories in Georgia that make up roughly 20 percent of the country's land when the two nations fought a war in 2008. After Russia annexed Crimea in Ukraine in March, Georgian leaders feared their belligerent neighbor would try to seize land along its border, where many ethnic Russians live.
The United States and NATO allies face a tough balancing act as they seek tobolster militarily weak former Soviet republics that have been partners - though not members - of the alliance. Putting Georgia and Ukraine on the fast track to NATO membership could provoke a severe response from Russia at a time when Western leaders are trying to cool tensions in the region. It also could drag the alliance into armed conflicts it cannot afford given the daunting challenges in Iraq, Syria and elsewhere. But the Obama administration is sensibly taking measured steps to reassure Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova.
Mr. Hagel's visit to Tbilisi, the first by a defense secretary in more than a decade, struck the right encouraging tone. "Because Georgia is such a committed and dependable partner of the United States," he said, "we want to and will continue to help Georgia fulfill its Euro-Atlantic aspirations, including membership in NATO."
Georgia, whose soldiers served in the United States-led coalition in Iraq, has become one of the largest troop contributors in Afghanistan, even as close American allies have left or reduced their contingents substantially. Its contributions to the two wars have been a calculated investment in its campaign to join NATO. That quest remains elusive partly because of opposition from Germany, but Georgia received an important consolation prize last week when NATO leaders named it one of five nations designated as enhanced partners of the alliance.
The new status will provide Georgia with closer intelligence-sharing with the West and more military training opportunities. NATO has also agreed to open a small coordination center in Georgia, a move rich in symbolism.
The United States can do more. Georgia has sought to upgrade its military capabilities, but requests for orders from American defense contractors went unheeded for years, Irakli Alasania, the Georgian defense minister, said in an interview. After Mr. Hagel's visit, Mr. Alasania said, a "silent embargo" appears to have been lifted. The Pentagon's foreign military sales system is notoriously slow, but, under the right circumstances, it can move adroitly. It should move more quickly to fulfill Georgia's orders.