Off-side: Georgians reject new president

Georgia Protests and Political Crisis

• Electoral Context: In Tbilisi, the ruling Georgian Dream Party procedurally elected Mikhail Kavalashvili, a former Manchester City footballer, as the new president via a single-name ballot.
• Protest Origins: Initial demonstrations began in late November following the government's decision to delay EU accession plans, but the movement has since evolved into a broader demand for democratic governance.
• Escalation Tactics: Over the past 19 days, protests have intensified, featuring:
  • Initial riot police deployment using tear gas and water cannons against protesters using fireworks.
  • Random arrests and beatings by police, resulting in severe injuries and hospitalizations.
  • Unidentified, masked attackers in black (allegedly a tactic from the Kremlin playbook) targeting journalists, opposition members, and civilians.
• Government Response Shift: Following a surge in public defiance, including a 13-year-old protester's statement, authorities shifted strategy:
  • Direct street confrontations were temporarily suspended, with police moving to idling vehicles nearby.
  • Intimidation shifted to issuing summonses and charging community leaders and NGO researchers with civil infractions.
• Geographic Spread: Dissent has expanded beyond the capital to regional towns (e.g., Kashuri), driven by diverse groups including IT sector workers, doctors, teachers, hobbyists, and mountaineers.
• Key Figures and Dynamics:
  • Protests are directed at oligarch Bidzina Ivanishvili, the founder of Georgian Dream who accumulated wealth in 1990s Russia and is accused of steering the country toward Moscow.
  • Outgoing President Salome Zurabichvili, a pro-EU figure, has refused to step down, creating a potential flashpoint on December 29.
  • Analysts warn that the government faces opposition not only domestically but from Vladimir Putin, who is reportedly unwilling to let Georgia "go quietly."

US Space Policy and the Artemis Program

• Target for Cuts: The incoming Trump administration and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, are expected to target NASA's Artemis program for cost reductions.
• Program Costs: The Artemis program has spent approximately $93 billion to date with zero manned flights, utilizing the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.
• Cost Efficiency Disparities:
  • The first four SLS flights are estimated by NASA's Inspector General to cost $4.1 billion each.
  • This cost is roughly 20 times higher than a SpaceX Falcon Heavy launch.
• Political Obstacles:
  • The SLS program is nicknamed the "Senate Launch System" because it relies on federal jobs located across various states (notably Alabama's Marshall Space Flight Center) to secure congressional support.
  • Senator Richard Shelby previously reprimanded former NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine for suggesting the use of SpaceX rockets.
• Conflicting Interests:
  • Jared Isaacman, a suggested candidate for NASA administrator, has expressed interest in clipping the Artemis program but owns SpaceX, creating a potential conflict of interest regarding self-dealing.
  • Any attempt to replace the SLS with SpaceX rockets would likely face legislative resistance from members protecting local high-tech jobs.
• Future Outlook: While private industry capability exists (e.g., SpaceX could land on the moon by 2024), political inertia driven by state-level economic interests makes immediate program elimination or radical restructuring difficult.

The Martini: Trends and Cultural Evolution

• Origins and History:
  • The martini is an American invention from the late 19th century, evolving from sweet pre-dinner vermouth cocktails to a "dry," macho drink favored by figures like Hemingway.
  • Popularity shifted in the 1980s toward fruity variations before returning to the classic recipe in recent years.
• Enduring Popularity:
  • New research by Alice Lassell suggests the drink's longevity stems from its resilience, simplicity (often requiring only two ingredients), and adaptability.
  • During Prohibition, the drink's simple recipe allowed consumers to manufacture it at home.
  • A study by mixologists identified that 21 variables allow for approximately seven quadrillion possible cocktail combinations, appealing to modern desires for personalization.
• Current Market Trends:
  • While overall alcohol consumption among youth is declining, there is a trend toward higher-quality, home-mixable drinks.
  • The martini serves as a versatile "canvas" for self-expression, ranging from the classic gin or vodka variants to the "Vesper" (three parts gin, one part vodka, 0.5 part Kina Lillet) and modern variations like the espresso martini.
• Notable Establishments: Duke's Bar in London is cited as a premier location for the drink, maintaining a queue of 20+ people, while newer venues like Taya Elementary offer modern twists (e.g., blue cheese-stuffed olives).