RUSSIA MONITOR MONTHLY 4/2020

Contents
A HEATED DEBATE

A HEATED DEBATE

In recent months, the Czech Republic has witnessed a surge in disinformation campaigns, posing significant challenges to its democratic fabric and information ecosystem.

Trafficking in Persons: Causes and Effects on the International Community

Trafficking in Persons: Causes and Effects on the International Community

Numerous myths surround the challenging issue of human trafficking, a problem that profoundly impacts fundamental human rights, freedom, and dignity. The issue is concerning because there is a significant chance that we have come across a victim of this illegal and inhumane practice at some point. However, guided by general and selective knowledge, many of us have neglected to take action and offer assistance to those in need.

Ukraine Heads Into the Second Year of the Defensive War

Ukraine Heads Into the Second Year of the Defensive War

In 2021, around 2.3 million undocumented migrants from Asia and Africa landed in Europe. It was the first serious renewal of migration crisis since 2015. In 2022 and 2023, even more migrants arrived. Consequently, EU institutions and nations took action to break the stalemate over unregulated migrant flows and the bloc’s migration policy as such.

How to Address the EU Migration Crisis?

How to Address the EU Migration Crisis?

In 2021, around 2.3 million undocumented migrants from Asia and Africa landed in Europe. It was the first serious renewal of migration crisis since 2015. In 2022 and 2023, even more migrants arrived. Consequently, EU institutions and nations took action to break the stalemate over unregulated migrant flows and the bloc’s migration policy as such.

A Wavering Political Landscape in Spain

A Wavering Political Landscape in Spain

With Spain holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union until December 2023, the next coalition government may set the tone for decisive topics from climate policy to migration at the European level.

Chinese Footprint in Europe

Chinese Footprint in Europe

The People‘s Republic of China (PRC) is now a threat to the political and economic integrity of the European Union (EU) alongside the bloc‘s security and independence.

Policy Brief Within Kremlin Watchers Project

Policy Brief Within Kremlin Watchers Project

Russia continues to fight for the hearts and minds of Westerners. At the very least, it is trying to create information chaos that undermines social cohesion and influences public opinion on Russian geopolitics.

NATO and the Indo-Pacific

NATO and the Indo-Pacific

The Indo-Pacific is arguably the new center of geopolitical and economic power not only for the United States and Canada but also for other member states of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

Kremlin Watchers Report: Trends in the Czech Disinformation Scene

Kremlin Watchers Report: Trends in the Czech Disinformation Scene

The Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory marked 500 days in early July. During this time, a number of disinformation narratives flowing from Russia have been circulating in the Czech internet environment, aiming to turn public opinion against Ukraine and undermine trust in the government. Below is an overview of the current disinformation tendencies spreading through the Czech internet in June and July 2023.

China’s Position On the War in Ukraine

China’s Position On the War in Ukraine

China sees the war in Ukraine as a matter of resistance to the West that might belittle the importance of the United States and its allies worldwide. Thus, China is tightening ties with Russia while setting the stage for a diplomatic push to settle the conflict via negotiations. The war in Ukraine brings both opportunities and challenges for China.

The EU’s Efforts to Combat Difinformation

The EU’s Efforts to Combat Difinformation

Disinformation is a simple and inexpensive tool that helps achieve a set of specific goals: spread panic, influence political decisions, or increase social polarization.

The Importance of Railways for Safety and Growth of Three Seas Initiative

The Importance of Railways for Safety and Growth of Three Seas Initiative

One area of cooperation is that in the field of rail transport that serves a major role for economy and security, which is highly noticeable now, as Ukraine is fighting Russia’s invasion. However, so are some shortages in the countries of the Three Seas Initiative, including links along the north-south axis, all of them crucial for regional cohesion.

Policy Brief. Kremlin Watchers Movement Report

Policy Brief. Kremlin Watchers Movement Report

Russia uses disinformation as a foreign policy tool, and its military actions in Ukraine are supported by disinformation operations. Poland, as one of Ukraine’s main allies, is an important country against which the Kremlin uses disinformation.

The Greatest Challenges to Ukraine’s Accession to the European Union

The Greatest Challenges to Ukraine’s Accession to the European Union

On February 28, 2022, just days after Russia’s renewed aggression against Ukraine, the country submitted its formal application for membership in the European Union (EU). Ukraine’s bid for EU accession had been a long-awaited goal, but it had been hindered by the significant obstacle of Russia’s 2014 attack on Ukraine. It had been used as a pretext by Western European countries to delay the membership process.

Russian Disinformation against Poland and Ukraine

Russian Disinformation against Poland and Ukraine

Russia has been utilizing disinformation as a tool in its foreign policy for years, with Poland and Ukraine being particularly vulnerable to its effects. The goal of these efforts is to undermine the reputation and international standing of these countries, as well as to weaken their relationships with other nations.

The military capabilities among Antarctic claimant states

The military capabilities among Antarctic claimant states

This research paper thinks about a potential military rivalry for territories in Antarctica. It focuses on the seven states, that have yet asserted territorial claims in Antarctica: Argentina, Chile, Australia, New Zealand, Norway, France and the United Kingdom. The intention is to give a provisional, superficial review about the overall numbers of weapon systems since 2015 in connection with their range and their geographic proximity to Antarctica.
Currently, the UK, France and Australia appear to be the most militarily capable states among the seven claimant states.

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