Three years ago, together with some colleagues, we gave a talk for ISA to explain the invasion of Ukraine and outbreak of the #UkraineWar. With the end in sight, we are back to discuss what’s next for #Ukraine, #Russia, #Zelenskyy, #Putin, #Trump, and the #RiyadhTalks in a free online webinar. Register here! https://buff.ly/4aUprMA After 1,000…
Category: General
OPEN ACCESS! Probing the humanitarian securitisation approach to great-power wars: from Bush’s ‘war on terror’ to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine
My latest on securitization, humanitarianism, terrorism, Russia, and the US with the most excellent Dr Michael Magcamit from Manchester University. It is Open Access here. ABSTRACT How do great-power leaders instrumentalise humanitarianism in sustaining the institutional and public mandate demanded by their war agendas? We examine the ‘humanitarian securitisation’ approach adopted by powerful state leaders…
Ukraine war: Russia toughens up draft law to round-up more people for the frontlines
My latest for the Conversation on the changes to how Russia does conscription. Would it affect the Russian public? Yes! Get reading here.
The lives of early careers researchers
In 2023, the British Academy asked 11 Early Career Researcher Network members to share their experiences in UK higher education. I am one of those researchers who shared their stories. This collection of essays brings attention to the voices, perspectives, and journeys of early career researchers, highlighting the realities and challenges they face. These challenges…
Ukraine war: Central Asia is looking to become less dependent on Russia
My new article for the Conversation where I discuss the changes in Central Asia’s political course following the war in Ukraine can be found here. Happy reading!
Crocus City Hall attack is Russia’s second-worst terrorist attack: the aftermath
On the 22nd of March 2024, four assailants attacked Crocus City Hall, where a show of the Russian rock band “Picnic” was about to start. The attackers were killing the people indiscriminately and set the concert hall ablaze. On this day Russia lost 145 people dead and over 500 wounded. This makes the Crocus City…
Closing the Chapter of 2023, Unveiling the Canvas of 2024: Reflections and Perspectives
To continue the tradition of reflecting on the past year and sharing my plans and aspirations for the next year, in this post I will contemplate closing the chapter of 2023 and the goals of 2024. I have done the same reflection for the 2022/23 transition, which has proven to be a valuable tool for…
Balancing Power in Central Asia: Russia’s Challenges and China’s Ascendance
In this exploration, I delve into the enigmatic realm of Central Asia, examining the historical and geopolitical dynamics that shape its present trajectory. The West’s often superior stance towards the region, coloured by historical influences and geopolitical shifts, reflects a struggle to view Central Asian states—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—independently of Russian influence. Fueled…
The death of Prigozhin: When the conspiracies become mainstream
Exactly two months after Prigozhin’s “march of justice”, which also has been called a mutiny or a coup, the main man behind it all – Yevgeniy Prigizhin – was reported to be onboard a plane that crashed in the Tverskaya oblast’, north-west of Moscow on its way to St. Petersburg. The reports coming from Russia…
We need a better political analysis of Russia – how to spot unreliable reporting
We need a better political analysis of Russia! Following Prigozhin’s rebellion on the 23rd of June, the amount of coverage and analysis of Russian politics has increased drastically. Unfortunately, the quality of analysis remains to be questionable at times, as many people who have never researched Russia see themselves as experts on the topic now….