Reports | Briefings
BRIEFING: Northern Cyprus – Under Embargo and In Isolation (in Swedish)
During the second half of 2012 Cyprus took over the European Union’s presidential gavel. But not all of Cyprus’ voices are being heard. The island is still divided between north and south, between a Turkish part and a Greek part. The Republic of Cyprus has become an integrated part of the EU, but the northern Turkish area seems to […]
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BRIEFING: The Decline of Freedom of Expression and Democracy in Europe
In a number of EU Member States freedom of expression is under threat. Reporters Without Borders’ Press Freedom Index shows that several EU countries ranked unacceptably low in terms of press freedom and freedom of expression. In this briefing, the Minister for EU and Democracy Birgitta Ohlsson explains the domestic threats against the values and […]
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A Spring of Hatred (in Swedish)
With the rise of democratic movements in the Middle East there is a worry of increased sectarian violence, especially between religious groups. Will the “Arab Spring” become coupled with a backlash against minority rights? By focusing on two minority groups in Egypt, Jews and Copts respectively, the report A Spring of Hatred – Minority Intolerance […]
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Democracy and Opposition in Africa (in Swedish)
Since the 1990s over 30 sub-Saharan countries have held democratic elections. In spite of this there are few indicators that opposition parties, another key facet of democracy, are also developing. The report Democracy and Opposition in Africa investigates the lack of political opposition in light of the democratization of sub-Saharan Africa. Author Emil Uddhammar studies what leeway there is […]
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BRIEFING: Crime and Punishment in Russia: The Magnitsky Case (in Swedish)
Sergey Magnitsky was one of Russia’s leading corporate lawyers until his death in 2009 at 37 years old. He was murdered during a hospital visit as a result of his commitment to law and order while filing a lawsuit against officials who had stolen businesses belonging to the foreign investment company Hermitage. A single senior official has yet to be […]
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The US Presidential Election: Isolationism in Advance? (in Swedish)
The role of the United States in the world is changing. Military troops in Iraq are heading home and the American withdrawal from Afghanistan is underway. The American public is also war-weary after a decade of foreign wars and sentiments of isolationism are circulating. What future role the US will take in the world is poised […]
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The European Council: Reform or Marginalization? (in Swedish)
To safeguard political freedoms and rights, democracy and the rule of law. These ideas lay the groundwork for the Council of Europe’s origins and are still considered their main tasks today. However, the Council has encountered criticism for its dedication (or its lack of) to these principles in many areas. In the report “The European Council: Reform […]
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BRIEFING: Egypt – Parliamentary Elections From a Bird’s Eye View (in Swedish)
Will the Arab Spring become an Arab Autumn? Or will the development towards democracy we are seeing now come to a halt? The recent violence before the election in Egypt brings up questions around what the overthrow of Mubarak has actually brought about. Critics claim that nothing has changed since the revolution; the old regime’s tactics and interests remain […]
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Swedish Military Solidarity Around the Baltic Sea: Three Scenarios (in Swedish)
In conjunction with a panel discussion (18/11/2011) on the security complex in the Baltic the Stockholm Free World Forum has released the report Swedish Military Solidarity Around the Baltic Sea: Three Scenarios by Karlis Neretnieks. In light of the Baltic security complex the report estimates whether the Swedish Armed Forces are prepared to play their part in […]
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After the Arab Spring: From Kleptocracy to Capitalism?
In the West many of us might naturally associate a youth movement for ‘freedom and better opportunities’ with a liberalization of market regulations. However, ther desire for less abusive governments does not translate into a popular desire for less bloated governments in a post-‘Arab Spring’ setting – but rather the opposite. In fact, many Arabs see […]
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