I am a Swedish specialist on politics and security in Russia and “Eastern Europe.” I have been dealing with the region on and off since the early 1990s and been around quite a lot.
At Vilhelm Konnander's Weblog I blog about all the thoughts and reflections within my field that I need to get out of my system. No wonder, given the theme of my blog: Politics & Security in Russia, Central & Eastern Europe & Central Asia. On Twitter @vkonnander.
Latest posts by Vilhelm Konnander from July, 2008
The Baltics: Baltic Sea Environmental Campaign
Copydude writes about Moving Baltic Sea – a campaign to promote creative strategies for cultural and environmental co-operation among Baltic Sea states.
Estonia: Russian Media Outlet Urges Boycott
Babel Tallinn reports that Russian news portal, Regnum, urges its readers to boycott Estonia, and also publishes a list of Estonian products and services to be avoided.
Russia: City Name Changes
The Turkish Invasion posts a list of Russian cities, which through history have undergone name changes, and comments on the phenomenon.
Russia: Medvedev to Fight Corruption
LJ user yangel reports (RUS) that president Medvedev has confirmed his plan to fight corruption, which signifies the start of a campaign to rid Russia of this malaise.
Russia: USAID Russian Style
LJ user epopov ru comments on (RUS) an article in today's Kommersant, claiming that Russia is to set up its own foreign aid agency, modelled on American USAID.
Russia: Change in Migration Policies
LJ user Kontury comments on (RUS) a government initiative to liberalise labour immigration by increasing quotas from CIS countries.
Russia: Prostitution To Be Legalised?
LJ user mbpolyakov discusses (RUS) proposals and rising support for legalising prostitution in Russia.
Lithuania: President Abstains from Attending Olympics
Lituanica reports that the Lithuanian president, Valdas Adamkus, has decided not to attend the upcoming Olympic Games in Beijing.
Russia: An Expat Exodus?
Copydude follows up on an earlier story, on increasing difficulties for foreigners to stay on in Russia, and partly supports his claim with statistics, and Russia Blog picks up and develops the story.
Russia: Military Service Exchanged for Construction Work?
LJ user dragspapa reports (RUS) about a proposal that young people should be able to do construction work as an alternative to military service.
Belarus: Failed States Index
Belaruskaya palityka LJ community recounts (RUS) this year's Foreign Policy Failed States Index and notes that Belarus ends up on 53rd place out of 60.
Russia: 30 July in History
De Rebus Antiquis Et Novis accounts for a few examples on what has happened on the 30th of July in Russian history.
Russia: Evictions in Sochi for 2014 Winter Olympics
Grigory Pasko at Robert Amsterdam addresses the problems local population in Sochi are experiencing as plans and building for the 2014 Winter Olympics go ahead.
Ukraine: Protests Against Image as a “Brothel of Europe”
The Turkish Invasion writes about a demonstration in Kiev, staged by a women's student organisation, in protest against the widespread image of Ukraine as a “brothel-state and bridebasket of Europe.”
Russia: Calls for Reinstating Regional Elections
LJ user Aleksandr Gnezdilov notes (RUS) that an increasing number of Russian politicians call for the return of regional elections in Russia, abolished after the 2004 Beslan school hostage crisis.
Russia: Level of Patriotism Among Pro-Putin Youth
LJ user makov_mak recounts (RUS) an improvised survey on the level of patriotism among pro-Putin youth, with some peculiar twists to it.
Belarus: Relations with Russia and the Union State
Glavred user ringo analyses (RUS) relations between Belarus and Russia and the situation with the issue of the Union State of Belarus and Russia.
Russia: Reaction to Captive Nations Speech
Former Estonian Prime Minister Mart Laar comments on the negative Russian reactions to US president's George Bush parallel between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union in a recent speech celebrating the Captive Nations’ week. Idel-Ural Kray presents an alternative view (RUS) of the matter.
Russia: Projecting Demographic Development
Da Russophile presents and evaluates various models for projecting the demographic development of Russia.
Russia: Exaggerated Rumours of a New Cuban Crisis
FP Passport – Russia follows up on the commotion and official denials following rumours of Russian plans to station strategic bombers to Cuba.
Soviet History: Russian-Korean Migration in Central Asia
Otto's Random Thoughts addresses the migration of Russian-Koreans from Kazakhstan to Uzbekistan 1937-1959.
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