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 January, 2009
Ukraine: Parliament starts gas control commission
What's up, Ukraine? notes that the Ukrainian parliament has founded a temporary investigation commission to follow developments of the current gas crisis.
Russia-Georgia: Tblisi selling out energy supply
FP Passport notes that Georgia is selling part of a hydroelectric plant – supplying nearly half the country's energy – to Russia, amidst the gas crisis between Moscow and Kiev.
Russia faces rapid unemployment growth
Sean's Russia Blog reports on how unemployment in Russia is rapidly rising, which the government e.g. deals with by increasing the number of policemen, apparently to preserve public order, as the number of Russians prepared to participate in protests increase.
Estonia: Dealing with recession
A Fistful of Euros analyses Estonian economy and how the country is dealing with the consequences of global recession.
Latvia: Government reconstruction
Baltic reports that the government of Latvia is being reconstructed to a smaller cabinet, facing the economic crisis that has hit the country recently.
Russia-Estonia: Arvo Pärt's Khodorkovsky symphony
James at Robert Amsterdam brings attention to a new symphony by Estonian composer Arvo Pärt dedicated to Russian economico-political dissident Mikhail Khodorkovsky.
Russia-Ukraine: Walking a thin line along the Gazpromenade?
Leopolis argues the case whether the gas crisis between Russia and Ukraine is a political or economic conflict and asks why the EU remains neutral but five months after the Russo-Georgian war.
Lithuania: Revising Russian relations?
Lituanica comments on a potential change in Lithuania's relations with Russia following the appointment of a new Foreign Minister.
Russia-Georgia: Red Cross viewpoint
Krusenstern discusses [GER] the civilian consequences of the Russo-German war from the perspective of a recent ICRC-official's reflections.
Russia: Motorists on the march
Paul Goble of WindowonEurasia brings attention to a new organization – TIGR – to advance the interests of Russian motorists after protests against import tarifs on cars in the country's Far East.
Russia: Racist violence on the rise – again?
Moscow Through Brown Eyes is horrified at noting the five killings of and nine attacks against migrant workers in Moscow in the first ten days of the new year alone.
Poland: Allegations of homosexuality as political instrument
The beatroot comments on the allegations made by a populist politician against former Polish Prime Minister Lech Kaczynski for being gay.
Estonia: Aftermath of Bronze Soldier Acquittal
AnTyx addresses the issue of the acquittals of four people standing trial for the April 2007 Bronze Soldier riots, and praises the impartiality of the Estonian judiciary.
Russia-Ukraine: The middleman of gas crisis
Robert Amsterdam discusses the role of RosUkrEnergo – the intermediary company that allegedly milks the profits out of the gas transit through Ukraine between Russian Gazprom and Ukrainian Naftogaz.
Poland: Does Tusk deliver on his promises?
Polandian discusses whether Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and his governing party, Civic Platform, actually have delivered on any of their promises after more than a year in power.
Lithuania: Rumours of IMF-support exaggerated
Lituanica comments on the Lithuanian government's ambivalence to turning to the International Monetary Fund for loans due to effects on the country of the international financial crisis.
Russia-Romania: Redirecting the gas flow?
Gabriela Ionita of Power&Politics Weblog discusses Russian PM's Putin comment on redirecting its gas trade through Romania in the future by way of the projected SouthStream gas pipeline.
Russia-Europe: Gas crisis prompts return to nuclear power?
Chernobyl and Eastern Europe Blog reports how the Russo-Ukrainian gas crisis is beginning to have severe effects on deliveries to the European market, and how Bulgaria considers reopening one of its closed down nuclear plants.
Russia: A country of split identities
Paul Goble of WindowonEurasia reflects upon the split identities of current Russia between the big metropolitan cities and traditional rural and small-town life in the regions.
Russia-Ukraine: Moscow wins PR-war in gas conflict
Robert Amsterdam illustrates how Russia is winning the PR-war in the ongoing gas conflict with Ukraine.
Russia: Fate of Mennonites during Stalin
Otto's Random Thoughts publishes a review of a documentary film on the fate of Mennonites in Stalin's Russia.
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