In this episode, we explore the intricate geopolitical dynamics of the South Caucasus, focusing on Georgia and Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan plays a crucial role as a key energy supplier and transit route, connecting Europe and Asia, and its relationship with Georgia is vital for both economic cooperation and security. The discussion highlights how Georgia’s pursuit of Western integration is perceived as a choice between Western alignment and Russian influence – an issue central to the upcoming parliamentary elections in the country. We also delve into the EU's role in the region, emphasizing the need for a cohesive strategy that prioritizes peace and stability amid diverse national ambitions. The conversation extends to other regional powers, including Iran, Turkey, and China, examining their influence and interests in the South Caucasus. Both regional actors and the EU must "unlearn" outdated perceptions and adapt to new realities, fostering constructive dialogue and economic cooperation. Guests: Maia Panjikidze is a Georgian diplomat and politician who served as the country's Foreign Minister from 2012 to 2014. She was Georgia's Ambassador to Germany from 2004 to 2007 and to the Netherlands from 2007 to 2010. A PhD in German Studies and a graduate of the Friedrich Schiller University in Jena and Tbilisi State University, she is also a freelance translator and author of works on German language and literature. Panjikidze translates between Georgian and German and has made significant contributions in both fields. Zaur Shiriyev is a nonresident scholar at the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center. His research focuses on security, conflict-resolution and foreign-policy issues relating to the South Caucasus; energy security and supply routes across that region, southeastern Europe and Central Asia; and on Azerbaijani and Turkish foreign policy. For two decades he has worked in academia and think tanks. He has also actively taken part in expert-level meetings on the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace process. Moderation: Marylia Hushcha, Researcher and Project Manager at the IIP. Recorded on 15 October 2024.