Georgia's influential Orthodox patriarch issued an Easter message urging the government to ban abortion to address growing demographic problems. While the government opposes the church's hard-line approach, lawmakers understand the need to address the growing problem of gender imbalance caused by sex-selective abortions.

Critics say Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili's government is softening its stance to Russia and risking Georgian security. But officials counter that their approach is more pragmatic -- and will be more effective in dealing with Georgia’s powerful adversary to the north.

Half a year after losing power, President Mikheil Saakashvili’s United National Movement is a shadow of the juggernaut that once dominated Georgian politics.

Irakli Alasania served as Georgia's UN ambassador before resigning in late 2008 and joining the opposition to President Mikheil Saakashvili. He is now defense minister in Prime Minister Bidzina Ivanishvili's coalition government. RFE/RL correspondent Brian Whitmore caught up with Alasania in Tbilisi to discuss the new government's approach to Russia.