United States (U.S.) policy in Georgia exemplifies how our approach to former communist states can succeed. Thanks in large part to U.S. political support and assistance, a country close to being a failed state eight years ago now is a strong partner in combating terrorism and nuclear proliferation, contributes substantially to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) missions, has constructive relations with most of its neighbors, and is one of the most democratic countries in the former Soviet Union. At the same time, Georgia presents challenges to which the U.S. is committed to respond. Georgia requires further democratic development, reforms in other areas need to be sustained, and the Russian occupation of the separatist regions of both Abkhazia and South Ossetia undermines their reintegration into Georgia and puts a brake on the overall reform process, a U.S. priority.