As Western donors reduce their presence in Africa, Russia is expanding its influence. In a new EBA conversation, SITE’s @lilleberlin.bsky.social and FOI’s Anna Ida Rock discuss Russian engagement, disinformation, democracy, and shifting power dynamics. ➡️ Learn more (in Swe): eba.se/current/makt...

What happens when Wagner enters African conflict zones? New GODAD paper by @lilleberlin.bsky.social and Lev Lvovskiy: Western bilateral donors retreat, while the World Bank initially reengages – more projects and disbursements. After 2022, that WB premium declines. godad.me/papers/

"Vladimir Putin, during a press conference, highlighted that Armenia needs to make up its mind about European Integration as soon as possible to avoid consequences observed in Ukraine." One more breath-held edge-of-the-seat moment in our region: 🇦🇲 Armenia's upcoming elections. lnkd.in/dABCXC3p

‘A “wave of hatred” against AI spreads across the US. People are worried that AI will take their jobs, drive up electricity prices, make the rich richer and harm the environment,’ writes Axios. AI? why, that is precisely what their democratically elected president is doing.

’Even if the serious problems in the 🇷🇺economy won’t change the leadership’s strategic goals in the war, or their view of Nato and the EU, it will affect how they can pursue those goals, how much and how advanced their military capabilities are. Sweden’s MUST head in the FT. ft.com/content/04a9...

Russian economy is faltering despite oil windfall, Sweden warns

Stockholm’s military intelligence head says Moscow is manipulating data to make its economy look better

ft.com

Now you can find the program and register here: www.hhs.se/en/about-us/...

Conference | Gender gaps in the AI economy

AI is changing the rules of the economy - who gets hired, who advances, and whose work is automated or augmented. This one-day conference, hosted by the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SI...

hhs.se

Maria Berlin@lilleberlin.bsky.social · 5mo ago

CONFERENCE ALERT! Join us at @sitestockholm.bsky.social on April 27 for a one-day conference on gender gaps in the AI economy. 📍 Stockholm School of Economics 🕘 09:00–16:00 📅 Submit by March 27 www.hhs.se/en/about-us/...

CONFERENCE ALERT! Join us at @sitestockholm.bsky.social on April 27 for a one-day conference on gender gaps in the AI economy. 📍 Stockholm School of Economics 🕘 09:00–16:00 📅 Submit by March 27 www.hhs.se/en/about-us/...

How important is Russia’s shadow fleet to financing Putin’s war? In this podcast, SITE researcher Maria Perrotta Berlin @lilleberlin.bsky.social discusses how old, often uninsured and hard-to-trace vessels help transport Russian oil, evade sanctions and fund the war chest. ➡️ (in Swe): tr.ee/M5LxIr

Sweden is taking a tougher line on Russia’s shadow fleet. As SITE researcher Maria Perrotta Berlin (@lilleberlin.bsky.social) notes: “These vessels are used not only to circumvent sanctions, but also have the potential to be used in hybrid warfare.” ➡️ Learn more (in Swe): tr.ee/ypiguG

The BEROC-IPM School of Economics and Business (BISEB) at European Humanities University invite students to join the 2026 IGB European Case Championship – an international competition focused on solving real business challenges. See details: igbstart.lt Ping @sthlmschoolofecon.bsky.social

Best paper in #gender economics

SITE’s Maria Perrotta Berlin @lilleberlin.bsky.social contributes to the Sorbonne Alliance series Europe and the War in Ukraine with a new policy paper on Russia sanctions - what worked, what’s left, and how frozen Russian assets could help fund Ukraine’s defence & reconstruction. ➡️ tr.ee/5DPLl7

Today I’m presenting part of the Russia in Africa project at the 18th @the-peio.bsky.social conference @iepolisci.bsky.social in Segovia. Great conference, great people!

Friends and colleagues working on sanctions, keep this conference on your radar! 24-25 September in Warsaw, deadline for abstract submission 28 February. www.sgh.waw.pl/kgs/badania-...

SITE's Maria Perrotta Berlin @lilleberlin.bsky.social maps how Russian (incl. Wagner-linked) activity shapes development cooperation and public attitudes across Africa. Donor responses vary - and Russia’s presence can boost views of US leadership while eroding trust in democratic norms. tr.ee/y4LUk8

MSCBE & @sitestockholm.bsky.social launch a new Research Seminar & Policy Brief Series on Closing Gender Gaps Through Economics Research. First seminar on Feb 5 w Dr. Bert D’Espallier on gender research in development finance, leadership, and microfinance. More info: cbe.aua.am/cbrd/project...

Russia has ramped up its Africa outreach since 2022 - but what has it really gained? A new brief by SITE’s Maria Perrotta Berlin ( @lilleberlin.bsky.social ) & BEROC’s Lev Lvovskiy finds limited strategic payoff from Moscow’s efforts. 📄 Read more: tr.ee/FrJGDA

Join @golovchenko.bsky.social 's presentation on the effects of #sanctions on the #ShadowFleet . Tuesday 27/1, irl or online!

Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE)@sitestockholm.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Join us next week on January 27 as Yevgeniy Golovchenko (Uni of Copenhagen) presents new evidence on targeted sanctions vs Russia’s “shadow fleet,” using 94M tanker geolocation points to track behavioral change + lessons for sanction design. ➡️ Learn more and how to join the seminar: tr.ee/8N4ZI3

📆 📢 SAVE THE DATE - Feb 12 | SITE, together with SUCC and CSSC, is bringing Ukrainian and international experts to Stockholm for keynote talks and a panel discussion on 'Ignoring Antagonistic Information Threats: Costs and Evidence from Ukraine'. ➡️ Learn more and register here: tr.ee/Qz6Sc3

New report out for EBA! Perceptions and Power: Assessing the Impact of Russia’s Influence on Development Cooperation and Attitudes in Africa Using geospatial aid and conflict data, and opinion surveys, I show that Russian presence reshapes donor behavior and public attitudes. eba.se/rapporter/pe...

🧨 What does Russia’s military procurement reveal about Moscow’s longer-term plans? Pavlo Shkurenko, a sanctions research fellow at the KSE Institute, and Jacob Parakilas, a research leader at RAND Europe, examine this question in a joint article @foreignpolicy.com foreignpolicy.com/2026/01/07/r...

Russia’s Military Procurement Is a Warning for Europe

Putin’s order books reveal plans for conflict well beyond Ukraine

foreignpolicy.com

🌍 Can Russia’s push into Africa reshape global alliances? 🔎 @lilleberlin.bsky.social (@sitestockholm.bsky.social) and Lev Lvovskiy (BEROC) investigate Moscow’s expanding, yet shallow, footprint across the continent. freepolicybriefs.org/2026/01/19/r... #FreeNetwork #Russia #Africa

Glad to have contributed to Di’s work mapping emerging power struggles in Africa. Major developments are unfolding across the continent that will demand far more attention going forward.

Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE)@sitestockholm.bsky.social · 8mo ago

As reported by Dagens Industri (@di.se), global powers are competing for Africa’s resources. SITE researcher Maria Perrotta Berlin (@lilleberlin.bsky.social) explains Russia’s renewed focus aims to “reduce isolation and secure votes in the UN.” 💡Learn more (in Swe): tr.ee/xQlTjm

The effects of U.S. sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil have been substantial, but their effectiveness over time will hinge on enforcement capacity and political will. The EU cannot afford reliance on U.S. measures alone; it must adopt decisive complementary actions. Excellent analysis ⬇️

SCEEUS@sceeus-ui.bsky.social · 11mo ago

New SCEEUS Commentary Out 🌐Ukraine’s Veterans: From Fragility to a Pillar of European Security Ukraine already faces one of its greatest challenges: reintegrating nearly 5 million veterans. How this is handled will shape Europe’s stability. Link ⬇️ sceeus.se/en/publicati...

EU leaders are discussing this week a proposal to explore mechanisms to use immobilized Russian central bank assets to support Ukraine. This brief analyses existing legal mechanisms and puts forward concrete recommendations. sanctionsrussia.org/publication/...

The compensatory function of sanctions - Sanctions on Russia

A new policy brief by the Institute for legislative ideas examines the compensatory function of sanctions, arguing that those who cause harm, or enable it through sanctions violations, must contribute...

sanctionsrussia.org

Lessons for the EU: • Extraterritorial sanctions are 🧨: a high-impact power tool. • Shared policies require shared burdens. Enough with permanent free-riders.

Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE)@sitestockholm.bsky.social · 8mo ago

New U.S. sanctions on Rosneft & Lukoil are reshaping global oil flows - and testing EU unity. A new policy brief by Maria Perrotta Berlin (@lilleberlin.bsky.social) & Chloé Le Coq breaks down the impacts on Russia’s budget, EU policy tensions & future sanctions design. ➡️ www.hhs.se/en/about-us/...

New U.S. sanctions on Rosneft & Lukoil are reshaping global oil flows - and testing EU unity. A new policy brief by Maria Perrotta Berlin (@lilleberlin.bsky.social) & Chloé Le Coq breaks down the impacts on Russia’s budget, EU policy tensions & future sanctions design. ➡️ www.hhs.se/en/about-us/...

🇺🇦🇲🇩 Thanks to all who joined SITE Development Day 2025! Experts from Ukraine, Moldova & beyond discussed EU accession, economic resilience, democratic challenges & human capital. We are grateful for the insights shared throughout the day. Photos & recap now available. www.hhs.se/en/about-us/...

🇪🇺 Can the EU keep sanctioning Russia without breaking internal unity? @lilleberlin.bsky.social of @sitestockholm.bsky.social and Chloé Le Coq of CRED & SITE, discuss the consequences of the sanctions, their immediate impact on Russian firms and the state budget. freepolicybriefs.org/2025/12/08/e...

With renewed debate in recent days about peace proposals involving territorial concessions, Crimea has (once again) come sharply into focus. Join an informed and research-based discussion of how Crimea should be understood, historically, politically, and legally, and how it can be studied.

Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE)@sitestockholm.bsky.social · 9mo ago

How can research shape our understanding of Crimea? Join SITE, Ukrainian partners & scholars for a vital discussion at SSE on Nov 26. Evidence, identity & policy in focus. 🕐 13:00-15:00 CET 📍 Stockholm School of Economics ➡️ Learn more and register here: tr.ee/mik7lz