Week 8: Debaters react to Russia's invasion of Ukraine

People all over the world have protested against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Victoria Pickering, from a demonstration in Washington. Source: Flickr.

Of: Sigrid Wernersson and Villemo Warnerfjord

More support for Ukraine, sports boycotts and open hearts. How Sweden and the EU should act on Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shaped the debate over the past week.

February 28, 2022, Current debate

A look back at what caused the invasion of Ukraine

Independence Square in Kiev, Ukraine. Source: Flickr. Photographer: Juan Antonio Segal.

Of: Elise Olsson

Tensions have been high between Russia and Ukraine since the fall of the Soviet Union, and now Russia has chosen to invade Ukraine - an invasion that will cost the lives of innocent people. But to understand the background to the invasion, it is important to go back in time a few decades.

February 25, 2022, News

Week 7: EU can stop subsidizing undemocratic member states

Victor Orbán's Hungary is one of the countries that has opposed the EU imposing stricter democratic and legal conditions for the disbursement of EU funds. Photo: European Parliament. Source: Flickr. Link: https://www.flickr.com/photos/european_parliament/6720478185

Of: Elise Olsson and Idun Eklind

Last week's debate has, among other things, discussed the EU's decision to withdraw subsidies for countries that do not comply with the rule of law - and what this could mean for regimes such as Poland and Hungary. Furthermore, several debaters have criticized the Green Party's statement that investments in nuclear power can cause uranium dependence on Russia.

February 21, 2022, Current debate

Week 6: Criticism of investing in nuclear power - could make Europe more dependent on Russia

Sweden imports nuclear fuel from Russia, something that the MP uses as an argument against M, KD, L and SD's willingness to invest heavily in nuclear power. Photo: Canva.

Of: Elise Olsson

The Swedish nuclear debate has become a security issue linked to Russia and Putin's influence over Europe. At the same time, debaters have over the past week raised that in the shadow of the crisis in Ukraine, Russia's influence risks even taking root in Belarus.

February 14, 2022, Current debate

Week 5: The Winter Olympics spark debate on human rights and China's pandemic

When China hosted the 2008 Summer Olympics, protests were raised against the country's handling of human rights. The fact that the country is now organizing the Winter Olympics has also created reactions. Photo: Kris Krüg. Source: Flickr.

Of: Melanie Alphonse

Last week, the Winter Olympics in China kicked off, something that has sparked debate about the country's handling of human rights. Russia's continued influence on Swedish and European security policy has also been discussed on Swedish debate and leadership pages during the past week.

February 7, 2022, Current debate

Week 3: The threat to Ukraine could overshadow the crisis in Bosnia

The security situation in Europe has continued to be the focus of Swedish debate pages - both regarding the threat to Ukraine and the situation in Bosnia. Photo: dlugo_svk. Source: Pixabay.

Of: Alice Eriksson and Hibo Yusuf Ahmed

Over the past week, the security situation in Europe has continued to be a large part of the Swedish debate. Both the military mobilization on the border with Ukraine and the crisis in Bosnia have attracted attention.

January 24, 2022, Current debate

Week 2: The NATO issue is brought to the forefront with Russia's demands for a sphere of interest

The question of whether Sweden should maintain its security policy line or adopt a so-called NATO option has divided the Swedish debate over the past week. Photo: Canva.

Of: Andreas Klawitter and Beata Sjödahl

The NATO issue has once again become highly topical after the deteriorating security situation in Europe and the Swedish debate has centered on the adoption of a NATO option. The Church Board's investigation of Israel and the crisis in Bosnia has also been the subject of last week's debate.

January 17, 2022, Current debate

More than 160 dead and thousands arrested after violent protests in Kazakhstan

The protests in Kazakhstan are the most extensive against the authoritarian regime in the country in decades. Photo: Ezetok. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Of: Sara Lannebo

The last week's protests in Kazakhstan, which degenerated into clashes between protesters and police, have calmed down for the time being. President Kasym-Zhomart Tokayev's order to the security forces to "shoot without warning" and the reinforcing troops that Russia has sent to the country seem to have calmed the situation. According to Kazakh authorities, at least 164 people have been killed in the violence.

January 11, 2022, News

Week 1: "The most serious security policy situation in Europe in decades"

Putin does not accept the basics of the European security system. Pål Jonson and Hans Wallmark (M) write this in a debate article on SvD.

Of: Elise Olsson and Ulrika Granlund

Last week's debate was marked by concerns about the security situation in Europe and the threat from Russia. The question of whether Swedish development assistance can be withdrawn for countries that refuse to accept their citizens who are staying illegally in Sweden has also been discussed.

January 10, 2022, Current debate

Russian military company approaches Mali - has been accused of war crimes

Wagner works, for example, with training local forces and protecting important people. That is the basis for a possible contract with Mali. Pictured - the UN peacekeeping mission MINUSMA in Mali. Photo: MINUSMA. Source: Flickr.

Of: Linnea Ljungar

In recent years, Russian military companies have gained more power on the African continent. One of these companies is The Wagners Group - which in connection with previous involvement in the Central African Republic has been accused of war crimes. At the same time, the military company's progress raises questions about how future security policy will be shaped.

December 2, 2021, Analysis