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 August, 2008
Georgia War: More News on Russian BTC-Bombing
The Oil and the Glory writes about various independent confirmations of the alleged Russian bombings of the BTC-pipeline.
Georgia War: Russian Opposition Leaders on the Conflict
Osteuropablog brings attention to (GER) and comments on a Rosbalt article on reactions from Russian opposition leaders to the conflict with Georgia.
Georgia War: Poles Soccer Punch Russian Footballers
Osteuropablog reports (GER) how Thursday's Warzaw UEFA-cup soccer match between Russian FK Moskva and Polish Legia Warszawa was accompanied by cheers of “f-ck Russia” and similar joyous acclamations from spectators.
Georgia Leaves Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)
GUS-News reflects over (GER) Georgia's decision to leave the CIS – the organisation formed after soviet demise by ex USSR-republics – and the country's appeal to other member states to follow Tbilisi's example.
Georgia War: Arkady Babchenko Conflict Coverage
From the Frontline draws attention to the photo coverage of the Russo-Georgian war by Russian Chechnya veteran, author, and journalist – Novaya Gazeta – Arkady Babchenko.
NATO-enlargement and Missile Shield in Poland
The 8th Circle discusses the pros and cons of NATO enlargement in view of the Russo-Georgian war, and notes that Washington and Warzaw have now agreed on the deployment of the US anti-missile shield to Polish soil.
Georgia War: NATO as Deterrent or Reassurance?
A Fistful of Euros discusses the Russo-Georgian war from the perspective of NATOs role as deterrent or factor of reassurance for its members and would-be members.
Georgia War: Consequences for Russia
Lj user lemantar enumerates (RUS) various consequences for Russia of the war with Georgia from a Belarusian perspective.
Georgia War: Baltic Reactions
Baltic comments on the development of the Russo-Georgian war from the perspectives of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.
Latvia: Strong Support for Georgia
Marginalia sums up various aspects of Latvia's support to Tbilisi in the wake of the Russo-Georgian war.
Estonia: The Russian Menace
In the shadow of the Russo-Georgian war, Babel Tallinn discusses the potential Russian threat to Estonia, the European Union, and the 2007 Russian-Estonian Bronze Soldier crisis.
Ukraine: Tymoshenko Accused of Russian Backing
Foreign Notes writes about accusations levelled against Ukrainian Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, that she has secured Russian backing to win the next presidential elections – a matter questioning whether Tymoshenko's allegiance is greater to Russia than to Georgia.
Georgia War: Following the Oil Lead
LJ user ve4nosti_sluga comments (RUS) on an op ed in the Washington Post and analyses the argument that the struggle control over energy played a role in the Russo-Georgian war, concluding that the the significance of the BTC-pipeline is exaggerated.
Georgia War: Critique of Russian “state propaganda”
LJ user beri_llii criticises (RUS) alleged Russian state propaganda during the conflict with Georgia and reviews some examples of lacking media objectivity and professionalism.
Georgia War: World Record in Genocide?
LJ user tulskiy reflects (RUS) on the 2,000 Ossetians that Russia claims Georgia killed as an act of genocide during recent conflict, puts the figure in proportion to the entire South Ossetian population, making it so unreasonably large that – if Russian claims are correct – it would constitute the...
Ukraine: Dual Citizenship Check Due to Georgian War?
LJ user scherbin notes (RUS) that the chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament national security committee has proposed that authorities should check which people in the country has dual citizenship – Ukrainian and Russian – as this situation played part in the conflict over South Ossetia. Dual citizenship is illegal in...
Georgia War: Number of Dead in Tshkhinvali
Zhivye zapiski Antona Nosika comments on (RUS) the various figures – from tens to thousands – of casualties in Tshkhinvali, given by Russian officials.
Russia-Georgia: Why Volunteer “Peacekeepers”?
LJ user aghayev wonders (RUS) why civilian volunteer hotheads were allowed to take part in battle on the Russian side of the conflict, if it was – as Moscow alleges – a peacekeeping operation.
Russia: The Beach Cossack Cometh
Carpetblogger writes about and reflects over the invasion of Russian holidaymakers to Turkish beach resorts such as Antalya.
Russia: Ingushetian Website Closure
LJ user kaloy comments on (RUS) a ruling by the Moscow City Court to close down the website ingushetiya.ru and its potential consequences for freedom of expression on the Internet.
Georgia War: US Loss in Georgian Gambit
LJ user saintrio presents (RUS) his views on the Russo-Georgian conflict and draws principal and historical parallels.
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