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, 2011
Germany: 50th Anniversary of the Berlin Wall
Kelly Hignett at The View East writes about the Berlin wall, and its historical significance as a divide between East and West, as it is now 50 years since the wall – demolished in 1989 – was constructed.
Russia: Soviet Sources to Middle East Actions
Vladimir Kara-Murza of World Affairs blog discusses a recently published book – Behind the Desert Storm – by Russian emigré Pavel Stroilov, which is based on secret soviet archives concerning policies towards the Middle East.
Poland-Russia: Haunting Memories of Afghanistan
Leoš Tomíček of Austere Insomniac reports that Russian ambassador to NATO, Dmitry Rogozin, is asking whether Polish Foreign Minister, Radosław Sikorski, killed soviet soldiers in Afghanistan during the 1980s, when working as a journalist there with Afghan guerilla fighters.
Russia: Arctic and the Northern Sea Route
Mia Bennett at Foreign Policy Association writes about an ongoing international conference, hosted by Russia, about the future of Arctic resources and the opening of sea routes in the Norhtern Sea.
Russia: Much to defend but too few men
Streetwise Professor reflects upon the future of Russian defence from a piece by Russian Military Reform blog, and concludes that the only viable option for the country is to downscale its forces.
Ukraine: Language Confusion
Austere Insomniac thinks that Ukraine's former PM Yulia Tymoshenko's insistence of having Russian interpreted to Ukrainian in the court-case against her is silly, as Russian is her mother tongue, and goes on to discuss language issues in Ukraine.
Ukraine: Time for a Change?
Vasyl of uaMuzik argues that it is time for new and independent politicians to enter the Ukrainian political scene, so that the country will be able to leave the conflicts and controveries of current politicians behind.
Ukraine: Courtroom Mudslinging
LEvko of Foreign Notes discusses how Ukrainian Prime Minister, Mykola Azarov, appeared as an unexpected witness in the trial against his predecessor, Yulia Tymoshenko, which resulted in loads of political mudslinging.
Ukraine: US and Russia Condemn Tymoshenko Arrest
Andy Young of Siberian Light reports that for once both Russia and the US stand united on one issue of international relations, namely their common condemnation of the arrest of former Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Tymoshenko.
Russia: Vysotsky as Detective
War and Peace recalls the 1970s soviet television series with troubadour Vladimir Vysotsky as a tough-minded homicide detective.
Poland: Story of a Bazaar
Michael Dembinski of W-wa Jeziorki tells the story of the Warsaw Bazar Różyckiego – once one of the few marketplaces in communist Poland where sought-after western goods could be purchased
Ukraine: People as Expendables
Taras of Ukraïniana comments on two recent mine accidents in Ukraine, causing 38 deaths, and posts a video [ru] of a miner who says that mine-owners treat their employees as expendables.
Ukraine: Pulling off Medals
Leoš Tomíček of Austere Insomniac writes about two Ukrainian historical nationalists, Stepan Bandera and Roman Shukhevych, who have been deprived of their posthumous distinctions as heroes of Ukraine by President Yanukovych.
Lithuania: Crushing Illegal Parking
Journalist & Optimist tells [ger] how the mayor of Lithuania's capital Vilnius crushes a car with a tank, in an attempt to show non-tolerance of illegal parking, a long-time problem in the city.
Russia: Putin Critical of US Economy
Robert Zeliger of Foreign Policy Passport draws attention to a statement on US economy by Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, where he reportedly says that the US is “like a parasite” on the world economy.
Russia: Remembering The Song of Igor’s Campaign
I am Donna Welles discusses the 13th century Russian story “The Song of Igor’s Campaign” and its message of the importance of national unity.
Russia: Keeping Track of Elections
Vladimir Kara-Murza of Spotlight on Russia writes about the peculiar process to get St. Petersburg governor Valentina Matviyenko eligible for nomination to the post of speaker of the Federation Council – Russian parliament's upper house – and how local by-elections have been held in a far from transparent process simply...
Ukraine: Ten Little Politicians
LEvko of Foreign Notes discusses whether the political class of Ukraine is starting to realize anyone might be next in line to face prosecution, were former Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko to be found guilty during her ongoing trial, and what they might do to avoid this.
Poland: Anniversary of Warsaw Uprising
Michael Dembinski of W-wa Jeziorki pays hommage to the 67th anniversary of the Warsaw uprising against the Nazis during World War II and reflects upon its historical and current significance.
Estonia: Defence Ministry Finances War Veterans?
Kloty of Gedanken über Estland draws attention to [ger] information in Estonian media that the country's Defence Ministry is allegedly financing the controversial Waffen-SS war veterans’ organizations.
Belarus: Interpreting the Law on Freedom of Assembly
LJ user gabblgob lets [ru] a lawyer friend, LJ user redrok, take a look at the legal implications of changes in Belarus law on freedom of assembly, which are in stark contrast with the conventional meaning of the term.
Vilhelm Konnander's space
