Anaklia Port and its Impact on Georgia's Geopolitics

Abstract

The paper examines the geopolitical significance of the Anaklia Deep-Sea Port project for Georgia. The research analyzes the economic, political, and strategic aspects of the project and explores how the interests of leading international actors, such as the United States, Russia, and China, intersect in the port's development process. The study also assesses the project's current status, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as its potential impact on Georgia's transportation and logistics capabilities. Employing a theoretical framework that draws on critical geopolitics, regional security complex theory, spheres of influence concepts, and energy security paradigms, the research demonstrates that the Anaklia Port represents not merely an economic asset but a significant geopolitical instrument that could play a transformative role in strengthening Georgia's regional position. The findings indicate that while the port offers substantial opportunities for enhancing Georgia's economic independence and strategic importance, it also creates new challenges as the country must balance relations between competing global powers with divergent interests in the South Caucasus region.