A day in Georgia’s Khevsureti region
On a free day in October 2020 I took up the opportunity to travel to one of the few mountain … Continue reading A day in Georgia’s Khevsureti region
Georgia’s Phantom Treaty — Civil.ge
“From now on, the Georgian Nation is accepted by the great nations, as equal – among equals”. Those were the … Continue reading Georgia’s Phantom Treaty — Civil.ge
Putin: Throwing sand of historic deceit — Civil.ge
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a history lecture in Yekaterinburg on July 9, 2019 on the status of Abkhazia and … Continue reading Putin: Throwing sand of historic deceit — Civil.ge
Forgotten Transcaucasus railway connection
In October 2020, on my way to Shatili in the Georgian Khevsureti region, I stumbled upon a large tunnel entrance … Continue reading Forgotten Transcaucasus railway connection
Russia’s return to Council of Europe: compliance in a rules based order
On December 11 2019 the Free Russia Foundation organized a mini symposium in The Hague on the return of Russia into the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. It focused on “the balance between the rights and obligations” of being part of the Council of Europe. Here is my contribution to the panel discussion Continue reading Russia’s return to Council of Europe: compliance in a rules based order
What could European suspension of visa-free travel for Albania mean for Georgia?
The Dutch government has decided to request the European Commission to suspend visa-free movement for Albanians, who enjoyed this since 2010. Can this decision of the Dutch government influence Georgia’s visa free travel to the Schengen Zone and the challenges it faces? Continue reading What could European suspension of visa-free travel for Albania mean for Georgia?
Passportization: Russia’s tool of state aggression in its near abroad
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced to simplify the procedure for Ukrainian citizens in the Donbass occupied territories to obtain Russian citizenship, a step directly aimed at weaponizing the right of citizenship and has to be interpreted as outright state aggression. Continue reading Passportization: Russia’s tool of state aggression in its near abroad
Russia – Georgia War 2008: Rolling into war
This summer it has been 10 years ago the world was caught by surprise when Russian and Georgian military forces started a war over a small Georgian separatist region that not many had heard of: South Ossetia. While it took many by surprise, the war was in the making for quite some time. A look into the prelude of the war, part three, rolling into war. Continue reading Russia – Georgia War 2008: Rolling into war
Russia – Georgia War 2008: The Prelude #2
This summer it has been 10 years ago the world was caught by surprise when Russian and Georgian military forces started a war over a small Georgian separatist region that not many had heard of: South Ossetia. While it took many by surprise, the war was in the making for quite some time. A look into the prelude of the war, part two. Continue reading Russia – Georgia War 2008: The Prelude #2
Russia – Georgia War 2008: The Prelude #1
This summer it’s been 10 years ago the world was caught by surprise when Russian and Georgian military forces started a war over a small Georgian separatist region that not many had heard of: South Ossetia. While it took many by surprise, the war was in the making for quite some time. A look into the prelude of the war. Continue reading Russia – Georgia War 2008: The Prelude #1
EU should introduce Global Human Rights Accountability Law
Various reports over the last few years have clearly shown a worrying global trend: the protection of human rights is under pressure. Human rights, civil liberties and democracy are actively undermined by an increase of authoritarian and populist driven rule. When UN conventions and resolutions, EU resolutions or verdicts of the European Court of Human Rights don’t help, other measures are necessary. Continue reading EU should introduce Global Human Rights Accountability Law
Europe’s sleepwalk into eastern gas troubles
With various Russian gas infrastructure projects in full steam, and other adjustments in the delivery of Russian gas to Europe, it is time to face what it wil mean for the country that will be hit by this: Ukraine. Continue reading Europe’s sleepwalk into eastern gas troubles