The tectonic political shifts that have occurred in the world during the last decade have involved a greater part of the Eurasian continent. A large number of countries underwent radical transformation. Many of them have managed to avoid devastating shocks and bloodshed. In the Caucasus, however, and in Georgia in particular, the process of transformation was extremely painful and at times tragic. Yet, those of us who have survived the disaster are lucky to have observed in the microcosm a rare phenomenon-the collapse of an empire. Equally exciting is watching the nation rise from the ashes, and continue on the road to a better future.