Infographic: The Kuril Islands
4 October 2016
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Peace between Russia and Japan?
Japan and Russia never signed a peace treaty after World War II. Normalizing relations would offer tremendous benefits to both sides, especially economically. The hurdle standing in their way is a group of small islands taken over by Russia in 1945. While both Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and Russian President ...

Professor Stefan Hedlund
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Mr. Putin’s private army
In a surprise move, clearly aimed at bolstering his own personal power and security, President Vladimir Putin has announced the formation of a Russian National Guard. The new entity is to be created within the Ministry of the Interior (MVD) and its mandate will be to fight terrorism and organized ...

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For all the confusion about Syria’s civil war, there’s no doubt about the big loser – the Syrian people. But nearly every regional power that has intervened to advance its own interests has also paid a heavy price, as has the European Union, a not-so-innocent bystander. For now, the most ...

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As sanctions take their toll, Russia turns to import substitution
As the Russian economy’s difficulties deepen, the Kremlin is putting a brave face on things. It maintains that Western sanctions have been beneficial and that its own anti-crisis program is working. Moreover, the government is talking up a new “Strategy 2030” to boost domestic self-sufficiency based on import substitution. The ...

Professor Stefan Hedlund