Books - Author Alexander Odishelidze

America’s Last Fortress: Puerto Rico’s Sovereignty, China’s Caribbean Belt and Road, and America’s National Security

By Alexander Odishelidze

China’s Belt and Road initiative is on the way. Premier Xi’s agenda? For China to have unrestricted access to the rest of the world. At the focus is America’s last fortress, Puerto Rico, which sits primely at the southern entrance of the Caribbean from the Atlantic Ocean. The only way that China can exercise influence in Puerto Rico—and move freely around the globe—is if Puerto Rico becomes an independent nation.

Puerto Rico’s political process is in shambles and the island is now slipping toward independence. Author Alexander Odishelidze spent 30 years on decolonization with a preference for statehood. This is his firsthand account of the mistakes made during that process, and of the vested interests—both on the mainland US and in Puerto Rico—that fought to maintain the status quo. In the 1970s, independence drew less than 5 percent of the vote in Puerto Rico’s elections. During the last election, independence-leaning candidates received almost 50 percent of the vote.

The trend is away from statehood. And China is watching.

Praise for Alexander Odishelidze first book, Pay to the Order of Puerto Rico

“It is fitting that we ask ourselves what future political status is best for Puerto Rico. This book answers that question and another: What status is also best for the United States?”

Robert J. Lagomarsino
Former US Representative of California
Ranking Member of Subcommittee on Territorial Affairs

“Just as Art Laffer helped start a revolution of thought about taxes on the mainland more than twenty-five years ago, he and Alex Odishelidze will begin a national debate about the relationship between the United States and Puerto Rico. Pay to the Order of Puerto Rico is an important book for understanding the roots and consequences of a failed economic policy.”

The Honorable Jack Kemp

“Mr. Odishelidze’s book reveals the economic and social consequences of the confused and ambiguous territorial status policy Congress has implemented for Puerto Rico… The sooner the better in order to bring about an orderly culmination of Puerto Rico’s political progress from territory to a permanent status.”

Richard Thornburgh
Former United States Attorney General

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Pay to the Order of Puerto Rico: The Cost of Dependence to the American Taxpayer

By Alexander Odishelidze and Art Laffer

Current policy toward Puerto Rico is costing each American taxpayer $400 a year—a total of $22 billion. This book gives the scandalous history behind one of America’s biggest and most expensive tax shelters, the “commonwealth” of Puerto Rico. The authors share the shocking truth about how the American taxpayer is footing a bill for antiquated policy toward this island. Puerto Rican businessman Alexander Odishelidze shares a revealing story of how bad policy is wasting taxpayer dollars and destabilizing the people and region of Puerto Rico, while renowned conservative economist Arthur Laffer bolsters the claims with his undeniable facts and figures. Together they build a convincing case that Puerto Rico must dispense with the chimera of commonwealth and become an independent nation or the 51st state of the United States of America.