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 November, 2008
Russia: Circassian case for self-determination
Paul Goble of WindowonEurasia brings attention to demands of a Circassian youth group to found a Circassian Republic in the North Caucasus, thus increasing the risks of further ethnic tension in the region.
Russia: Moscow plans of financial glory
LJ user romanemo comments on [RUS] Russia's plans to turn Moscow into an international financial centre.
Russia: Murder of Vladikavkaz Mayor
LJ user Zhurnal Cheloveka reports on [RUS] the murder of Vitaly Karaev, mayor of the North Ossetian capital Vladikavkaz.
Russia: In the wake of financial crisis
Streetwise Professor discusses how the Russian economy is coping with its challenges in the wake of the global financial crisis.
Russia-Ukraine: Denying the Great Famine
Finrosforum accounts for President Medvedev's view of Holodomor – the great famine in Ukraine 1932-33 – accusing those who speak about the “so-called Holodomor” of creating a rift between the two Slavic nations.
Russia: Fast Track Constitutional Changes
Robert Amsterdam discusses the quick changes to the Russian Constitution in favour of prolonging the presidential term to seven years.
Russia: The Plight of Journalism
As the West continues to turn attention to the Politkovskaya case, Foreign Policy Association's Russia Blog gives focus to the plight of Mikhail Beketov, editor of the obscure Khimki Pravda.
Latvia: Images of an abandoned past
Arnis Balcus’ Photo Blog posts pictures of the abandoned Soviet secret town of Skrunda with the military radar station once scanning space against presumed western missiles.
Belarus: Change of Course in Minsk
Osteuropablog draws attention to [GER] a gradual change of policies in Minsk – economic liberalisation, EU-rapprochement, and new approaches to legitimising political power.
Lithuania: Flaws of foreign media election coverage
Lituanica criticises an article in the German Times for misrepresenting results of the recent parliamentary elections in Lithuania, in portraying parties as Eurosceptic.
Latvia: Freedom of speech in peril?
Latvian bloggers react to the security police incarceration of two citizens for publicly criticising the government financial policies. Free Speech Emergency in Latvia covers the story, and Marginalia provides links and comment.
Russia: Rise of Orthodox Militia
Sean's Russia Blog writes about Moscow Patriarch's plans to found an Orthodox People's Militia serving the Church. WindowonEurasia and Windows to Russia! continue the discussion.
Russia: Newspaper Warned off for Extremism
Finrosforum draws attention to Russian authorities warning mainstream newspaper Vedomosti against publishing extremist content.
Latvia and Estonia: Views of the Economic Crisis
Veiko Spolitis of Baltic reviews Latvia's economic crisis, the warnings of international financial institutions, and how Latvian politicians have responded to them. BabelTallinn accounts for an official view on how the crisis has affected Estonia.
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