Author overview

Spotlight 16/2024

Warmth, Laughter, and the Smell of Buns: Perceptions of Home among Forced Migrants from Ukraine

by Oksana Mikheieva 18/07/2024

Thousands of young Ukrainians lost their home as a result of the war against their country. In interviews with some of them, they talk about how forced migration has changed their perceptions of home, what it means for their attitudes towards Ukraine, and whether they feel it is possible to find a home from home.

ZOiS Spotlight 14/2024

Kazakhstan’s Ukrainians: Worried, But Neutral?

by Beate Eschment 10/07/2024

Little is known about the Ukrainians in Kazakhstan. Yet they were one of the world’s largest Ukrainian diasporas until 2022. Their relations with Russian fellow citizens of this multiethnic state inform their attitude towards the war against Ukraine, which differs from the position of Ukrainian communities elsewhere.

Spotlight on Ukraine 9

Rebuilding Amid Uncertainty: Reconstruction in Ukrainian Cities

by Tetiana Skrypchenko 03/07/2024

Reconstructing buildings damaged by shelling is a challenge while Russia continues its attacks. And yet reconstruction is in full swing in Ukraine. A survey conducted in spring 2024 shows that many of those affected have rebuilt their homes using their own funds.

ZOiS Spotlight 13/2024

The War in Ukraine and Latvia’s Russian-speaking Community

by Inta Mieriņa 26/06/2024

Russia’s war against Ukraine has brought horrible suffering to people in Ukraine. Far less is known about its impact on Russian communities outside of Russia. Latvia’s large ethnic Russian population is increasingly isolated since February 2022 – with worrying consequences for societal cohesion.

ZOiS Report 2/2024

Osteuropaforschung in der Verantwortung: Forschungsethik während Russlands Krieg gegen die Ukraine

by Nina Frieß Katrin Hoffmann 17/06/2024

In this ZOiS Report, we show which research ethics challenges have arisen or intensified with Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine. Using concrete examples we present problems, negotiation processes and possible solutions.

ZOiS Spotlight 12/2024

Ukraine’s Recovery and EU Accession: The Importance of Inclusive Participation

by Julia Langbein Gwendolyn Sasse 10/06/2024

The Ukraine Recovery Conference on 11–12 June will emphasise the need to involve a broad range of societal stakeholders in Ukraine’s recovery. But the implementation of this principle at the intersection of the country’s processes of recovery and EU accession is far from straightforward.

ZOiS Spotlight 11/2024

Hungarian Diplomacy: Defying Accepted Norms

by Ákos Kopper 29/05/2024

Under Viktor Orbán, Hungary is stretching the rules of diplomacy to their absolute limit – and alienating its EU and NATO allies in the process. In the run-up to the European elections, Ákos Kopper highlights three examples of anti-democratic tendencies in the Hungarian brand of diplomacy.

Spotlight on Ukraine 8

Is There a Russian Church in Ukraine?

by Andriy Fert 27/05/2024

On 27 May 2022, in the face of Russia’s full-scale attack on Ukraine, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate declared its independence from Moscow. Yet, many doubt the sincerity of this step. Interviews with church members confirm that ‘pro-Russian’ attitudes are still present in many parishes.

Meet the Author | Michael Kimmage

In his new book 'Collisions: The Origins of the War in Ukraine and the New Global Instability', Michael Kimmage frames Russia’s war against Ukraine as three overlapping conflicts and traces their origins in the post-Cold War period and the longer history of Russia’s relations with Ukraine, Europe and the US.

KonKoop In:Security Report Series/1

Old Fears and New Threats: Insecurity and Societal Cohesion in Russia’s Neighbourhood

by Nadja Douglas Weronika Grzebalska Kornely Kakachia Andrei Kazakevich Asbed Kotchikian Yuliia Kurnyshova Inna Șupac Joni Virkkunen 17/05/2024

In the face of the war against Ukraine, there is tension in Russia's neighbourhood. The first KonKoop In:Security Report is now dedicated to the security policy strategies and discourses on the ground and shows how the neighbouring states are reacting to a threat that is new and yet seems familiar.

ZOiS Spotlight 10/2024

The Sad Fate of Yandex: From Independent Tech Startup to Kremlin Propaganda Tool

by Daria Kravets-Meinke 15/05/2024

In February 2024, after political and legal pressure, the Russian search and technology company Yandex sold its business in Russia to an investment fund with close ties to the Kremlin. For the time being, this seems to be the final step in Yandex’s gradual political appropriation by Russia’s ruling elites.

Spotlight on Ukraine 7

The Role of Popular Culture in Ukraine’s War Effort

by Olena Zinenko 07/05/2024

Musicians Alyona Alyona and Jerry Heil are using their fame to support Ukraine's fight against Russia's aggression. This year the duo is representing their country at the Eurovision Song Contest. Ukraine has left an indelible mark on the supposedly apolitical music competition since it first participated in 2003.

ZOiS Spotlight 9/2024

Under the Pretence of Tradition: Media Repression in Kyrgyzstan

by Aksana Ismailbekova Zinaida Almazbekova 03/05/2024

Since taking power in 2021, President Sadyr Japarov has established an increasingly authoritarian regime in Kyrgyzstan. He is cracking down on his critics and restricting freedom of the press and freedom of expression. For Japarov, this is justified by a supposed need to protect Kyrgyz values and morals.

Spotlight on Ukraine 6

Exploring the Uncertainty of Ukrainian Refugees

by Natalia Zaika 24/04/2024

A survey of Ukrainian refugees in Poland shows that many are struggling with the question of whether and when they should return home. The impossibility of knowing how long the war will last or whether Ukraine will succeed in regaining the occupied territories plays a major role in this uncertainty.

ZOiS Spotlight 8/2024

Migration, Tradition and Change in Georgia

by Diana Bogishvili 17/04/2024

Many Georgians have a positive view of the EU and its values. The current protests against a planned law inspired by Russia’s ‘foreign agent’ legislation are a case in point. A ZOiS study shows that Georgian migrants in Western countries influence values in their country of origin.

ZOiS Spotlight 7/2024

Children’s Literature Under Pressure

by Nina Frieß 02/04/2024

International Children’s Book Day has been celebrated annually on 2 April with readings, exhibitions and fun activities for children and teens since 1967. In some countries, however, there is little cause for celebration. In Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, children’s literature is in a precarious state, for a variety of reasons.

Spotlight on Ukraine 5

Education Across Borders: Ukrainian Refugees’ Perceptions of German Schools

by Helen Pidgorna 22/03/2024

Over 218,000 Ukrainian refugee children are enrolled in German schools. Parents’ perceptions of the main changes in their children’s schooling relate to a shift from teacher-centred education in Ukraine to learner-centred education in Germany. This trend matches the aim of a major school reform in Ukraine.

ZOiS Spotlight 6/2024

The Lives and Hopes of Crimean Tatars after the 2014 Annexation

by Elmira Muratova 18/03/2024

The annexation of Crimea by Russia in March 2014 significantly altered the lives of Crimean Tatars, the indigenous Muslim community of Crimea. Now at a distance of ten years, we can trace the waxing and waning of their hopes and coping strategies on the occupied peninsula.

ZOiS Report 1/2024

New Arctic Realities: Between Conflicting Interests and Avenues for Cooperation

by Serafima Andreeva Klaus Dodds Nadja Douglas Christoph Humrich Thomas Nawrath 14/03/2024

A new ZOiS Report analyses the various effects of Russia’s war against Ukraine on the Arctic region. The authors also assess how a baseline of coordination with Russia on the vital issues of security and climate change could be re-established for the sake of the common good.

ZOiS Spotlight 5/2024

Turkey: A New Hub for Migration from Russia

by Félix Krawatzek 06/03/2024

Large numbers of Russians migrated to Turkey after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russians now constitute the largest migrant group to hold long- and short-term residence permits in Turkey. A new survey looks at their reasons for leaving Russia, their political attitudes and their plans for the future.

Spotlight on Ukraine 4

Dealing with the Russian Aggression against Ukraine through Art

by Alina Mozolevska 22/02/2024

Many Ukrainian artists are grappling in their works with the devastating consequences of Russia's attacks on their country. In particular, the destruction and loss of home has emerged as a common visual metaphor for the trauma of war – and a powerful instrument for sharing the pain of that loss with others.

ZOiS Spotlight 4/2024

Belarus’s Parliamentary ‘Elections’ Mark the Entrenchment of Lukashenka’s Authoritarian Regime

by Emma Mateo 21/02/2024

After the brutal crackdown on the protests following elections in 2020, Belarusian President Lukashenka is using the 2024 parliamentary elections to secure his power. Belarus’s future will be shaped by his ambitions to create new alliances outside Europe, as well as by the outcome of Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Meet the Author | Irina Busygina

In their new book ‘Non-Democratic Federalism and Decentralization in Post-Soviet States’, Irina Busygina and Mikhail Filippov show how modern authoritarian regimes like Russia use supposedly democratic institutions to their benefit and turn them into tools to enable them to survive politically.

ZOiS Spotlight 3/2024

Russophone Authors Two Years After Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine

by Alessandro Achilli Nina Frieß Marco Puleri 07/02/2024

More than ever, the use of the Russian language is not only a political issue, but also a question of identity. This also applies to authors of Russian-language literature, some of whom have to redefine their relationship to the language and their position in the Russophone cultural landscape.

ZOiS Spotlight 2/2024

From War Zone to Conflict Region: Ukrainian Refugees in Transnistria

by Sabine von Löwis 24/01/2024

Some of the people who were forced to leave Ukraine after the Russian invasion have fled to Transnistria. Why are Ukrainians seeking sanctuary in a de facto state that receives financial and military support from Russia, and what is their status there? A ZOiS study provides some insights.

Spotlight on Ukraine 3

Geographic Differences in Ukrainian Refugees’ European Experiences

by Tetiana Skrypchenko 17/01/2024

Depending on the host country, Ukrainian refugees report on different living conditions, available supports, contact with locals, language skills and integration into the labour market. A study compares how Ukrainians in the four regions of Europe view their experiences and the differences to life in Ukraine.

ZOiS Spotlight 1/2024

Climate Change and Water Security in Central Asia

by Nafisa Mirzojamshedzoda 10/01/2024

To tackle the growing problem of drought in Afghanistan, the Taliban is constructing an ambitious irrigation canal. But the project also has repercussions for neighbouring Central Asian countries and shows how the effects of global heating require cooperation that transcends political differences.

Spotlight on Ukraine 2

Evacuation Decisions: Lessons from Russia’s War against Ukraine

by Natalia Zaika 19/12/2023

A new survey of Ukrainians in Ukraine shows that an awareness of the risks associated with Russia’s war does not automatically lead people to evacuate. This has important implications for the framing of evacuation messages. Messages that contain clear evacuation instructions are more likely to be followed.

ZOiS Spotlight 23/2023

State Dominance and its Discontents among Azerbaijani Youth

by Veronika Pfeilschifter Cesare Figari Barberis 13/12/2023

Young Azerbaijanis are expected to reproduce the state ideology centred on Karabakh/Artsakh. A tiny minority of them has persistently resisted it and the dominant discourse around self-victimhood and just revenge. In the face of growing state repression, these alternative youth discourses have been all but silenced.

Meet the Author | Katharina Bluhm

In her book Russia and the West (Russland und der Westen), Katharina Bluhm explores how since the late 1990s, the conservative countermovement to liberalism and Western integration has been turning into a state-led project. Beyond ideology and power politics, political economy and social policy come into play..

ZOiS Spotlight 22/2023

Why Nagorno-Karabakh Has Been Sacrificed and Why This Could Also Be an Opportunity

by Nadja Douglas 29/11/2023

After the exodus of the Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians from their home, international attention has moved on and their fate has received little attention. And yet, the new situation offers some unprecedented opportunities. Whether they can be seized depends very much on Azerbaijan’s next moves.

Spotlight on Ukraine 1

The Uncertain Education of Ukrainian Refugee Children

by Helen Pidgorna 22/11/2023

A survey of Ukrainian refugees with school-age children in Sweden shows that they waver between appreciation of their new educational experiences and a fear of falling behind with the Ukrainian curriculum. Because of uncertain future prospects, many try to live in both countries at once.

ZOiS Report 4/2023

Permanent Crisis Mode: Why Russia’s Economy Has Been So Resilient against Sanctions

by Alexandra Prokopenko 21/11/2023

This report highlights the role of the Russian authorities’ management and governance in dealing with the sanctions and adapting the economy. For this purpose, it scrutinises the adept responses of Russia’s financial leadership to four distinct crises over the past 15 years.

ZOiS Spotlight 21/2023

Brussels’ Approach towards Hungary and Poland amidst the War against Ukraine

by Lunting Wu Kamil Matusiewicz 15/11/2023

Poland and Hungary are the EU’s most prominent renegades, infamous for defying the block’s rule-of-law agenda. Has the EU mellowed towards them in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine and the need for internal solidarity? And has Poland, as a vocal supporter of Ukraine, received ‘differential treatment’?

Meet the Author | Veronika Siegl

Transnational commercial surrogacy is a contested practice; the few countries where it is legal include Ukraine and Russia. Social anthropologist Veronika Siegl has explored how surrogate mothers, intended parents, clinics and agencies legitimise their actions to themselves and others.

ZOiS Spotlight 20/2023

The Pro-war Mobilisation of Germany’s Russian-speaking Communities

by Tatiana Golova Liliia Sablina 01/11/2023

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was welcomed by some Russian-speaking communities in Germany. Social media platforms, first and foremost Telegram, have played a pivotal role in their pro-war mobilisation. Online communications among these groups have been a precursor to offline actions like public rallies.

ZOiS Spotlight 19/2023

What Young Georgians Think About Their Government

by Tamar Khoshtaria 19/10/2023

Surveys in Georgia show that the young generation in particular disagrees with their government’s politics. Interviews with Georgian migrants in Berlin confirm these findings. The interviewees are especially critical of decisions that are perceived to be pro-Russian.

ZOiS Report 3/2023

Russian Migrants in Georgia and Germany: Activism in the Context of Russia’s War against Ukraine

by Tsypylma Darieva Tatiana Golova 06/10/2023

This report analyses how politically and socially engaged migrants from Russia (re-)organise themselves in the context of Russia’s war against Ukraine. Drawing on in-depth interviews, the authors examine a variety of grassroots projects, focusing on anti-war and related fields of activism.

ZOiS Spotlight 18/2023

Young Poles’ Political Preferences: A Fresh Wind for the Upcoming Election?

by Hakob Matevosyan 04/10/2023

In the run-up to the upcoming parliamentary elections in Poland, a ZOiS survey shows that the far-right Confederation is especially popular among young voters. A successful result for the party could significantly influence Polish power relations and the country’s future international orientation.

Meet the Author | Tsypylma Darieva

Since the 1990s, many young members of the Armenian diaspora have volunteered in the Republic of Armenia. In her monograph, Tsypylma Darieva critically examines their motivations and asks what the direct encounter with the ancestral homeland means for their identity and political socialisation.

ZOiS Spotlight 17/2023

Lived Geopolitics: Grain Logistics Between the War and the Border

by Claudia Eggart 20/09/2023

At the border triangle between Ukraine, Moldova and Romania, truck drivers have been waiting up to 16 days for customs checks since the beginning of the war. As well as being an ordeal for those affected, this situation encourages corruption and exposes the geopolitical conflicts of the different power centres.

ZOiS Spotlight 16/2023

Flexible Solidarity: Polish and Hungarian Responses to Forced Migration

by Karolina Lukasiewicz Kamil Matuszczyk 06/09/2023

After the 2022 Russia’s invasion, forced migrants from Ukraine received surprisingly welcoming responses in Poland and Hungary. While both governments had reacted in a similarly hostile manner to the 2015 forced migration, some significant differences have shaped their 2022 crisis response.

Meet the Author | Dimitri A. Sotiropoulos

In ’The Irregular Pendulum of Democracy’, Dimitri A. Sotiropoulos addresses the development of democracies in Serbia, Montenegro and North Macedonia. In this interview, he explains the difficulties of democratisation in the region and the opportunities he sees for a sustainable democracy.

Annual Report

The year 2022 was overshadowed by Russia’s attack on Ukraine, which also had an impact on research at ZOiS. Even though the developments surrounding the war occupied our attention, the first evaluation and the anniversary celebration of the Institute also took place this year.

ZOiS Spotlight 15/2023

The Economic Effects of Russia’s War on Ukraine’s Internally Displaced Women

by Inna Volosevych 26/07/2023

As a result of the war, Ukraine is suffering from a severe economic crisis. In June 2023, a quarter of previously employed Ukrainians was still out of work, with women significantly more affected than men. A survey among internally displaced persons shows what makes their return to work difficult.

ZOiS Spotlight 14/2023

Reimagining Care in Belarusian Protest Art

by Antonina Stebur 12/07/2023

Protest artists in Belarus have used their imagination to create alternative structures of support and solidarity. By foregrounding a sense of fragility, their initiatives go beyond traditional notions of care, emphasising the political dimension, interdependence, and resistance against oppression.

ZOiS Spotlight 13/2023

Western Assets in Russia: Navigating a Challenging Landscape

by Alexandra Prokopenko 28/06/2023

Russia’s war against Ukraine is not confined to the battlefield. Increasingly, the Kremlin is taking countermeasures in reaction to Western economic sanctions. It has set its sights on the assets of European companies in Russia, and their imminent seizure presents the EU with a dilemma.

ZOiS Spotlight 12/2023

China in Central Europe: Out of Steam?

by Tamás Peragovics 14/06/2023

Just a few years ago, the countries of the Visegrád group – Hungary, Slovakia, Poland and the Czech Republic – were eager to cooperate with China. However, relations are considerably cooler today. With Russia's war of aggression and the stance taken by Hungary, deep rifts have also opened up within the group.

ZOiS Spotlight 11/2023

A Shapeshifting China in Central Asia

by Beril Ocaklı 31/05/2023

For the first time since establishing diplomatic relations three decades ago, China and the Central Asian heads of states have come together at a summit. China has been expanding its influence in the region for years – a development that is not welcome by everyone.

ZOiS Spotlight 10/2023

The Significance of the Lachin Corridor in the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

by Nadja Douglas 17/05/2023

In the shadow of Russia’s war in Ukraine, the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan threatens to erupt into violence and, potentially, a major conflagration if a solution cannot be found soon. The Lachin corridor, as the main connection between Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, plays a key role here.

ZOiS Spotlight 9/2023

Blind Spots in German Historical Awareness: Occupied Ukraine in the Second World War

by Tatjana Tönsmeyer 03/05/2023

As the war against Ukraine continues, the 78th anniversary of the end of the Second World War is approaching in the coming days. For large sections of the civilian population, war means occupation, as is evident again in Ukraine today – but there is little awareness of this in Germany, despite its history.

ZOiS Report 2/2023

Russians in the South Caucasus: Political Attitudes and the War in Ukraine

by Félix Krawatzek George Soroka Isabelle DeSisto 03/05/2023

Following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, numerous Russians decided to leave their country. Georgia and Armenia were among the most popular destinations. We conducted a face-to-face survey in both countries in late 2022 among a total of more than 1,600 respondents.

ZOiS Spotlight 8/2023

Ukrainian Activists in Germany: Feeling Positive Despite Daily Challenges

by Kostiantyn Fedorenko 19/04/2023

In Germany, Ukrainian residents as well as refugees have taken up social activism as a consequence of Russia’s full scale invasion. From their motivations to everyday challenges and life satisfaction, interviews with individuals from both groups give insight into activists’ experiences abroad.

ZOiS Spotlight 7/2023

Russia’s Ethnic Minorities in the Struggle against Cultural Imperialism

by Vlada Baranova Tsypylma Darieva 05/04/2023

For years, Russia’s ethnic minorities have been subject to an increasingly restrictive one-language policy. At the same time, they are being instrumentalised in the war against Ukraine. The high death toll among members of ethnic minorities in that war has changed and bolstered their resistance.

Meet the Author | Irina Mützelburg

In “Transferring Asylum Norms to EU Neighbours”, political scientist Irina Mützelburg explores the adoption and implementation of asylum norms by Ukraine over the last 30 years. In this interview, she explains the ambivalence and specificities of this process.

ZOiS Report 1/2023

Education and Displacement: Ukrainian Families in Germany

by Irina Mützelburg Félix Krawatzek 30/03/2023

This report focuses on the question of education in the context of displacement, looking specifically at the conditions in the very first months after arrival. We draw on an original online survey conducted among displaced Ukrainian parents as well as numerous qualitative interviews.

ZOiS Spotlight 6/2023

China’s Peace Plan for Ukraine: Responsible Leadership?

by Valentin Krüsmann 22/03/2023

Chinese president Xi Jinping reportedly plans to speak with his Ukrainian counterpart later this month. But China’s positioning towards Russia shows that far from being an honest broker, it is using the war to present itself to the global South as a responsible leader while framing the US in the opposite terms.

ZOiS Spotlight 5/2023

The International Grain Trade and the War

by Linde Götz 09/03/2023

The Russian invasion of Ukraine has driven up grain prices, disrupted value chains and threatened grain supply of countries affected by hunger. There is a serious concern that Russia – the world’s largest wheat exporter – could exploit its power as a weapon of war. How are things looking in the global grain trade?

ZOiS Spotlight 4/2023

The Puzzle of Ukrainian Resilience: Hidden Factors and Potential Risks

by Yuliya Bidenko 22/02/2023

Ukrainian resistance on the battlefield is unthinkable without the resilience of Ukrainian citizens. This resilience rests on a bedrock of civil society engagement in the years since 2014, which spurred reforms and the wider societal changes that made such a coordinated response to the Russian invasion possible.

ZOiS Spotlight 3/2023

Kosovo and Serbia: Teetering on the Brink of Escalation

by Vedran Dzihic 08/02/2023

In recent months, the decades-long tension between Serbia and Kosovo has once again come close to erupting into an armed conflict. A political compromise appears to be an urgent necessity, but for that, the narrative of eternal enmity and intransigence must be redrawn.

ZOiS Spotlight 2/2023

Ukraine: Humour as a Weapon of War

by Orest Semotiuk 25/01/2023

Since the start of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, memes and cartoons have become an integral part of the media discourse. Using humour and satire, they not only comment on the progress of the war but also convey values and ideological principles, making them a unique contemporary record of the unfolding events.

ZOiS Spotlight 1/2023

The Major Powers of the Global South and the War Against Ukraine

by Ewa Dąbrowska 11/01/2023

India, South Africa and other countries have maintained neutrality on Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It may seem obvious that this is motivated by economic interests. But resentment towards the West and the desire for a new global balance of power also play a role.

ZOiS Spotlight 36/2022

Hungary’s Pragmatism: Courting Russia, Pleasing the EU

by Ákos Kopper 14/12/2022

Hungary is the only EU member state that still has close relations with Russia. At the same time, prime minister Viktor Orbán is trying to placate the EU. Meanwhile, the country’s institutions are being hollowed out and the erosion of Hungarian democracy continues unabated.

Meet the Author | Olga Onuch and Henry E. Hale

In The Zelensky Effect, Olga Onuch and Henry E. Hale show how Ukrainian society is marked by a strong sense of civic identity. President Volodymyr Zelensky exemplifies a new style of political leadership ushered in by an independence generation shaped by experiences of mass mobilisation.

ZOiS Spotlight 35/2022

Between Wishful Thinking and Fatalism: The Role of Elite Divisions in Autocracies

by Adrían del Río 30/11/2022

Since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine, there was discussion about an elite split in Russia that might lead to a collapse of the regime. Much of it turned out as wishful thinking, but comparative research shows that fatalism isn’t appropriate either.

ZOiS Spotlight 34/2022

High but Fluid Support for European Integration in Poland

by Félix Krawatzek 16/11/2022

An online survey ZOiS conducted among young Poles confirms a generally positive attitude towards the EU but indicates that EU support is conditional upon how respondents understand Europe. Respondents are more likely to be supportive of EU integration as long as it does not interfere with the nation-state.

ZOiS Spotlight 33/2022

Belarus’s Role in Russia’s War Against Ukraine

by Nadja Douglas 02/11/2022

The formation of a joint regional group of Russian and Belarusian armed forces in October has reignited discussions about a possible offensive by Belarus in Russia's war against Ukraine. But even if it does not come to that, as Russia's closest ally, Belarus is already paying a high price.

ZOiS Report 3/2022

Poesie und Protest. Der „Blutige Januar“ in der zeitgenössischen Dichtung Kasachstans

by Nina Frieß 20/10/2022

Kazakhstan’s January protests were accompanied by a flurry of poetry writing. Many of the poems written at this time revolve around the internet lockdown that prompted many poets to express their discontent with the political restrictions and the former President Nazarbayev as well as their desire for change.

ZOiS Spotlight 32/2022

The Violence in Kyrgyz Gold

by Beril Ocaklı 19/10/2022

Gold mining is a central economic factor for Kyrgyzstan. But instead of providing prosperity and development, the gold business is rife with corruption, harms the environment and threatens human life. With the nationalisation of the Kumtor mine, the country's largest, in 2021, things have gone from bad to worse.

Meet the Author | Nina Frieß and Félix Krawatzek

A new edited volume looks at memory discourses in different European countries through the prism of youth. Here, the editors Nina Frieß and Félix Krawatzek talk about young people as a trope and target of national memories, but also as memory actors who challenge the historical narratives to which they are exposed.

Meet the Author | Gwendolyn Sasse

In her book Russia’s War Against Ukraine (Russlands Krieg gegen die Ukraine), Gwendolyn Sasse explains the Russian invasion’s political and social context and the developments which preceded it and analyses the role that Ukraine plays for an increasingly authoritarian Russia.

ZOiS Spotlight 31/2022

Exploring the Diversity of Georgia’s Post-Soviet Left

by Veronika Pfeilschifter 05/10/2022

Since the mid-2000s, numerous new left-wing groups have formed in Georgia. Although all of them are engaged in the fight against societal inequalities, their political ideologies differ considerably. New data show that their attitudes toward the Russian war against Ukraine also diverge widely.

ZOiS Spotlight 30/2022

The Role of Think Tanks in Russian Foreign Policy

by Felix Riefer 21/09/2022

Think Tanks are supposed to act as bridges between academia and politics, but in Russia they cannot operate freely. Controlled by the Kremlin, their ostensible purpose is to ensure the loyalty of the functional elites and to uphold and disseminate predetermined positions – at home and abroad.

ZOiS Spotlight 29/2022

Education Under Fire: The Ukrainian School System Under Occupation

by Tatiana Zhurzhenko 07/09/2022

As the new school year begins in Ukraine, hundreds of schools find themselves in occupied territories where the Russification of the school system is turning education into a battleground. The teachers who remain are under pressure from the occupiers. Some try to escape this influence through distance learning.

ZOiS Report 2/2022

Young Poles in Times of Dramatic Change: Refugees, Identity and Social Engagement

by Félix Krawatzek Piotr Goldstein 05/09/2022

This report examines young people’s political attitudes in conjunction with their views on the arrival of over two million refugees from Ukraine in 2022, and their views on those refugees who have been trying to get into the EU through the Polish- Belarusian border since 2021.

Publication

2021 was dominated by our theme year #30PostSovietYears. Thirty years after the end of the Soviet Union, we traced the dynamics and consequences of the upheaval. In addition, a number of new research projects were launched, and, for the first time, a trainee begann her training in research communication at ZOiS.

ZOiS Spotlight 28/2022

The Effect of War on Ukraine’s Values

by Iryna Kaplan 20/07/2022

The war in Ukraine is also a war between two value systems. While in Russia's narrative Western values pose a threat, Ukraine is increasingly supportive of the LGBTQ+ community and has ratified the Istanbul Convention. However, this is also leading to tensions with conservative, religious forces in the country.

ZOiS Spotlight 27/2022

Georgia’s New Wave of Russian Migrants

by Tsypylma Darieva 13/07/2022

Russia's war in Ukraine and the repressive policies in their own country are prompting more and more young, educated Russians to leave their home country. In Georgia, many of them are involved in self-organised social and political projects. Georgian society is, however, wary of these newcomers.

ZOiS Spotlight 26/2022

Ukraine’s Cultural Alignment With the West

by Alessandro Achilli 06/07/2022

In June, Ukraine passed a law banning the sale of books from Russia and Belarus. The focus on literature may be surprising in view of the war, but the country is taking a significant step away from Russia's colonial heritage towards its own Western-oriented culture.

ZOiS Spotlight 25/2022

Russia’s Programme of Educational Indoctrination in Ukraine’s Occupied Territories

by Allyson Edwards 29/06/2022

Young people play an important role in Russian propaganda. Since the beginning of the war, the Russian state has developed a comprehensive and overt educational programme in the areas under its control with the aim of teaching young Ukrainians a version of history that sees Ukraine as part of Russia.

ZOiS Spotlight 24/2022

Bulgaria’s New Political Crisis

by Ivaylo Dinev 22/06/2022

With a successful no-confidence vote in the Bulgarian parliament, the government of Prime Minister Kiril Petkov has failed after only six months. The renewed political crisis in the country struggling with corruption and poverty reveals deep rifts within the former "government of change".

ZOiS Spotlight 23/2022

Moscow is Trapped: Centre-regional Relations in Russia After the Invasion of Ukraine

by Irina Busygina 15/06/2022

Although Russia is a constitutional federation, its centre-regional relations are highly centralised politically. In times of crises and policy failures, blame is shifted to the regional authorities. With the economic sanctions, imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, this tactic is unlikely to work.

ZOiS Spotlight 22/2022

The Constitutional Referendum in Kazakhstan and the Belated End of the Nazarbayev Era

by Beate Eschment 08/06/2022

On 5 June, the people of Kazakhstan voted in favour of the constitutional amendments proposed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. This marks the start of more significant steps towards a reform of the political system and also completes the process to rescind the former President’s residual powers.

ZOiS Spotlight 21/2022

The End of the Post-Soviet

by Claudia Eggart 01/06/2022

Soviet nostalgia is not uncommon within the populations in the countries of the former USSR – including Ukraine. That has changed since the Russian invasion: in Odesa, for example, there is talk of a turning point, with the emergence of a new Ukrainian national consciousness and the rejection of all things Russian.

ZOiS Spotlight 20/2022

Energy Headaches for the G7

by Margarita M. Balmaceda 25/05/2022

On 25–27 May, the G7 climate, energy, and environment ministers meet in Berlin. Here, too, the focus is on the Russian war against Ukraine. While in principle there is unity among G7 states about drastically reducing their energy dependence on Russia, important tensions simmer below the surface.

ZOiS Spotlight 19/2022

The War Divides: (Un)Equivocal Statements in the Russian and Ukrainian Rap Scene

by Aleksej Tikhonov 18/05/2022

As public figures, rap artists with Ukrainian roots have come under scrutiny since the outbreak of the war. Are they pro-Ukraine or pro-Russia, or have they remained silent? One thing is clear: making music for both a Ukrainian and a Russian audience is no longer possible.

ZOiS Spotlight 18/2022

War in Ukraine: What Do Young Poles Think?

by Piotr Goldstein Félix Krawatzek 11/05/2022

As Ukraine’s large neighbour, Poland has so far taken in the most Ukrainian refugees. A new ZOiS survey shows that many young Poles are in favour of protecting them. There is also support for weapons supplies. An overwhelming majority is, however, against direct military involvement.

ZOiS Spotlight 17/2022

Victory Day 2022: Memory at War

by Travis C. Frederick 04/05/2022

As a day to commemorate victory in the ‘Great Patriotic War’, 9 May is central to Russian identity and the understanding of the nation. The significance of the holiday has grown steadily over the course of Putin’s rule and has reached a new high point against the backdrop of the war in Ukraine.

ZOiS Spotlight 16/2022

Yevgenia Belorusets, Serhiy Zhadan, Andrey Kurkov: For many Ukrainian authors, writing literature has become impossible since the Russian invasion. Ukrainian literature organisations have called for a global boycott of Russian books. Russia’s literary scene is divided, however.

ZOiS Spotlight 15/2022

Russia’s Wars: Ukraine and Chechnya Compared

by James Hughes 20/04/2022

Vladimir Putin's rise to become Russia's most powerful leader began with the Second Chechen War in the 2000s. So far, Russian military strategy in Ukraine has largely followed the script of the Russian-Chechen conflict, and the crucial question is whether it will prove successful on this much larger scale.

ZOiS Spotlight 14/2022

Putin in Court?

by Florian Jeßberger 13/04/2022

By now there seems to be little doubt that Russian troops have committed crimes under international law in the war in Ukraine. What legal actions can be taken to hold the perpetrators – first and foremost the Russian president – to account and what are their chances of success?

ZOiS Spotlight 13/2022

Russian State Patriotism and Putinʼs Invasion of Ukraine

by Jussi Lassila 06/04/2022

Young people in Russia vacillate between apolitical conformism and Western-oriented individualism. Although patriotic education has a long tradition, critical attitudes towards its military dimension are increasing and a large-scale mobilisation in favour of the war in Ukraine seems unlikely.

ZOiS Spotlight 12/2022

The Ambiguous Impact of the War in Ukraine on Serbia’s Elections

by Florian Bieber 30/03/2022

Russia’s war against Ukraine has also cast a shadow over Serbia’s parliamentary and presidential elections in early April. While large sections of the population are pro-Russian, the incumbent president Aleksandar Vučić, as the most promising candidate, has not taken a clear position.

ZOiS Spotlight 11/2022

The Ideology Behind Russia’s War

by Katharina Bluhm 23/03/2022

Russia’s state ideology was long considered by many to be merely a propaganda tool in President Putin’s pragmatic power politics. However, Russia’s war in Ukraine does not fit into this picture. It is the endpoint in a lengthy process of ideological production.

ZOiS Spotlight 10/2022

Russia’s Slide Into International Isolation

by Michael Rochlitz 16/03/2022

The sanctions that have been imposed on Russia’s economy because of the war in Ukraine will have grave consequences. At the moment, neither the Russian government nor most Russian people seem to realise the extent of the looming economic catastrophe.

ZOiS Spotlight 9/2022

Everyday Decisions in the War in Ukraine

by Sabine von Löwis Irina Mützelburg 09/03/2022

What happens when a war leads to the collapse of the previously reliable structures of everyday life? What plans for the future can one still make in this situation? Should one stay or go? We look at the people in Ukraine who have been forced to take one existential decision after another since 24 February.

ZOiS Spotlight 8/2022

Political and Public Reactions to Putin’s War in Post-Soviet Countries

by Diana Bogishvili Tsypylma Darieva Beate Eschment Sabine von Löwis 02/03/2022

Many governments in post-Soviet states have not unequivocally condemned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Their political and economic dependence on Russia is too great. Public reactions to the war differ considerably: although thousands are protesting in some countries, protest is often not an option elsewhere.

ZOiS Spotlight 7/2022

The Russian Orthodox Church and the Military: Defenders of Sacred Borders

by Regina Elsner 23/02/2022

Relations between the Russian military and the Russian Orthodox Church have deepened in recent years. This helps to shape the narrative of a state that is under constant attack and has to defend itself accordingly. It leaves little room for a peace-making role for the Church.

ZOiS Spotlight 6/2022

Belarus Votes – Or Not: Lukashenka’s Constitutional Reform from the Public’s Perspective

by Fabian Burkhardt Jan Matti Dollbaum 16/02/2022

In a referendum at the end of February, Belarusians are due to vote on constitutional changes. But the reform is unlikely to contribute to solving the crisis that has gripped the country since 2020. Opinion polls suggest that many citizens do not support the changes and want to have free and fair elections first.

ZOiS Report 1/2022

Ambivalent Effects of Trade Liberalisation with the EU: Insights from Moldova and Georgia

by Julia Langbein Denis Cenusa Irina Guruli 15/02/2022

Does trade liberalisation with Eastern Partnership countries promote inclusive economies? This report on Georgia and Moldova shows mixed effects: trade liberalisation has led to growth and increased trade with the EU, yet the ownership structures of top export sectors paint a more ambivalent picture.

ZOiS Spotlight 5/2022

Why Zelenskyi Is Downplaying the Threat of Escalation in Ukraine

by Valeria Korablyova 09/02/2022

In the current conflict with Russia, the Ukrainian president is sending mixed signals about the situation in which his country finds itself. His messages differ according to the audience he is trying to reach. But this strategic ambiguity could be used against him in the long run.

ZOiS Spotlight 4/2022

Understanding the Current Warmongering in Bosnia and Herzegovina

by Jessie Barton Hronešová 02/02/2022

The secessionist tendencies of the Republika Srpska have triggered fears of violent conflict – and not just in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Above all, the current brinkmanship shows that without comprehensive reforms, the country will not break the cycle of secessionist threats and permanent crisis.

ZOiS Spotlight 3/2022

Youth Citizenship in Russia: Between Patriotism and Informal Commitment

by Nadya Nartova 26/01/2022

For the Russian state, youth citizenship is primarily about patriotism and loyalty. Hence, civic activity has become vastly controlled in recent years. Young people who are critical of the state-imposed model of patriotism need to implement their own ideas about citizenship outside the formal political field.

ZOiS Spotlight 2/2022

Post-Punk in Belarus and Russia: Lyrical Criticism of the Political System or Post-Soviet Nihilism?

by Aleksej Tikhonov 19/01/2022

Post-punk first emerged in the (post-)Soviet space in the 1980s and was originally an apolitical, nihilistic musical genre. Today, however, fans are increasingly discovering political references in the lyrics. Is post-punk becoming more political, and if so, what does this mean for musicians living in authoritarian states?

ZOiS Spotlight 1/2022

The Future of European Security – What Does Russia Want?

by Stefan Meister 12/01/2022

With its build-up of troops at the border with Ukraine, Moscow is testing the unity between the US and Europe. The revival of the NATO-Russia Council and the upgrading of the OSCE talks are important steps towards a more multilateral approach to European security and closer coordination between the partners.

Meet the Author | Alicja Curanović

In her new book 'The Sense of Mission in Russian Foreign Policy', political scientist Alicja Curanovic explores the influence of messianism and mission narratives in Russian foreign policy. Analysing more than 25 000 documents, she identifies 15 mission roles ascribed to Russia by the elite.

ZOiS Spotlight 45/2021

Ukraine’s Short-Lived Middle-Class Political Parties

by Kostiantyn Fedorenko 15/12/2021

In the past, Ukrainian political parties that represent the middle class have quickly faded into insignificance. Nevertheless, there are currently new attempts by well-known personalities to found middle-class parties. To assess their chances of success, it is worth looking at why their predecessors failed.

ZOiS Spotlight 44/2021

The 6th Eastern Partnership Summit: What Should We Expect?

by Julia Langbein 08/12/2021

An official meeting between the EU and the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries – the first in four years – is scheduled to take place on 15 December. It will focus on ambitious objectives relating to economic development and good governance. A genuinely new vision for the EaP cannot be expected, however.

ZOiS Spotlight 43/2021

Recruiting for the Nation? Russia’s New Repatriation Law

by Tsypylma Darieva Sina Giesemann 01/12/2021

Russian policy towards Russian speakers living abroad could soon be significantly changed. A bill aims at simplifying the procedure to obtain Russian citizenship, including the right to return to the ‘historical homeland’. The law could have extensive geopolitical consequences and has raised international concerns.

Meet the Author | Margarita M. Balmaceda

In her book , Margarita M. Balmaceda analyses the value chains of Russia’s three largest fossil fuel exports. She traces the journey of an exemplary molecule of each gas, oil and coal from production in Russia through transit and processing in Ukraine to the end consumer in Germany.

ZOiS Spotlight 42/2021

The Systemic Discrimination Facing Greece’s Roma

by Christos Varvantakis 24/11/2021

The recent death of an 18-year-old Roma man in a police shooting in Athens has revived debates about structural racism against members of this ethnic group in Greece, where, as in other European countries, many Roma are trapped in a vicious circle of prejudice, poverty, criminality, and social exclusion.

ZOiS Spotlight 41/2021

Problems of International Peace Missions in Eurasia

by Nina Lutterjohann 17/11/2021

The United Nations, the European Union, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe: international organisations are engaged in Eurasian crises in a variety of ways. Despite the longevity of the mandates, however, numerous conflicts have remained unresolved for years. What is missing from these missions?

Meet the Author | Mitchell A. Orenstein

In their book ‘Taking Stock of Shock’, Kristen Ghodsee and Mitchell A. Orenstein look at the outcome of 30 years of transition in post-communist countries. In light of the different experiences of this transition across Eastern Europe, they see a need for a narrative that encompasses both disaster and success.

ZOiS Spotlight 40/2021

Whither Georgia?

by Khatia Kikalishvili 10/11/2021

After the local elections, the political crisis in Georgia is continuing. The narrow election result is worsening the polarisation between supporters of the ruling party Georgian Dream and the opposition party of imprisoned former President Mikheil Saakashvili.

ZOiS Spotlight 39/2021

Is Russia Becoming a Unitary State?

by Stanislav Klimovich 03/11/2021

A new draft law in Russia is intended to increase the regional governors’ subordinate position vis-à-vis the President. This will contribute to a further dismantling of the country’s federal structures and formally reinforce the status quo, with weak regional and strong central power.

ZOiS Spotlight 38/2021

Eastern Europe’s Gig Economy Goes On Strike

by Miglė Bareikytė 27/10/2021

The job market for contract workers employed by online platforms is growing, and so too is awareness of their precarious status. In Russia, workers in the gig economy are organising to campaign for better working conditions, but there are many obstacles to overcome.

ZOiS Spotlight 37/2021

Societal Fragmentation in Belarus

by Félix Krawatzek 20/10/2021

A new ZOiS survey of the Belarusian population shows that support for the Lukashenka regime has increased slightly compared to December 2020. At the same time, the desire for greater independence from Russia is growing in the context of ever-closer economic and political ties between the two countries.

ZOiS Spotlight 36/2021

FC Sheriff Tiraspol in the Champions League: Football Diplomacy or Business Model?

by Sabine von Löwis 13/10/2021

Transnistrian football club Sheriff Tiraspol was a largely unknown quantity until recently. It has now reached the UEFA Champions League, making it the first club from a de facto state to play at international level. Its sponsor is the influential – and controversial – Sheriff corporation from Transnistria.

ZOiS Spotlight 35/2021

Ten Days that Ended Yugoslavia: The Forgotten War in Slovenia, 30 Years Later

by Dejan Djokić 06/10/2021

In October 1991, the last Yugoslav troops left Slovenia. The break-up of the Yugoslav People’s Army made the disintegration of Yugoslavia inevitable. Today, Slovenia is an EU member state. Yet the influence of populist forces that are keen to control public history is growing stronger.

ZOiS Spotlight 34/2021

Rap in Tatar: Turning Away from Russian?

by Aleksej Tikhonov 29/09/2021

With millions of clicks on YouTube videos, Tatar rap is now popular far beyond the borders of the Russian republic of Tatarstan. For many artists, choosing Tatar is, not least, an expression of an ever-growing distance between themselves and the Russian language and culture.

ZOiS Spotlight 33/2021

German Elections: What Next for Policy towards Eastern Europe?

by Gwendolyn Sasse 22/09/2021

Although Russia plays a role in many of the urgent problems facing Eastern Europe, the SPD, CDU and Green candidates for the chancellorship appear to have few tangible strategies for dealing with this authoritarian state. This poses a risk for Germany’s future foreign policy and relations with Eastern Europe.

ZOiS Spotlight 32/2021

The Russian State Duma Elections: Costs for the Kremlin

by Ben Noble 15/09/2021

In the run-up to the upcoming elections to Russia’s State Duma, many observers consider the victory of United Russia a forgone conclusion. However, election results in Russia are not inevitable. The Russian authorities have to invest significant resources into achieving the results they want.

ZOiS Spotlight 31/2021

Georgia’s Free Trade With the EU: Who Benefits?

by Julia Langbein Irina Guruli 08/09/2021

Trade liberalisation with the EU is one tool to make Georgia’s economy more inclusive and resilient. While it has created opportunities for diversification, liberalised trade has also helped to maintain oligarchic structures and boost profits for larger, foreign-owned firms.

Meet the Author | Jan Matti Dollbaum

Jan Matti Dollbaum, Ben Noble and Morvan Lallouet have authored a book about Alexei Navalny. In this Meet the Author interview, we spoke with Jan Matti Dollbaum about why this is the right moment for the book, the international community’s greatest misconception, and Navalny’s future in Russia.

ZOiS Spotlight 30/2021

The Situation of the Pamir Kyrgyz after the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan

by Mahabat Sadyrbek 01/09/2021

Since the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, countless people have fled to neighbouring regions. For the Pamir Kyrgyz, who live in the remote Wakhan Corridor between Tajikistan, Pakistan and China, the future is uncertain.

Meet the Author | Andrew Wilson

In the updated second edition of his book ‘Belarus: The Last European Dictatorship’, Andrew Wilson traces the emergence of the Belarusian nation and examines the genesis of and challenges to the Lukashenka regime. He focuses in particular on the impact of the protests following the 2020 presi-dential elections.

ZOiS Spotlight 29/2021

Never-ending Competition: Orthodox Celebrations in Ukraine

by Andriy Fert 28/07/2021

At no other time is the rivalry between the two Orthodox churches in Ukraine as evident as on 27–28 July, when the country celebrates the anniversary of its Christianisation. Against the backdrop of the ongoing conflict with Russia, this religious festival has also become a political statement.

Meet the Author | Juliane Fürst

Juliane Fürst spent 12 years studying Soviet hippies for her book Flowers Through Concrete. Based on interviews with eye-witnesses and research in KGB archives, she paints a vivid picture of a much-neglected movement. So who were the flowers that grew through concrete?

ZOiS Spotlight 28/2021

Difficult Conditions for Armenia’s Newly Elected Parliament

by Nane Khachatryan 21/07/2021

After the rejection of the legal challenge against the results of the early parliamentary election, a new legislature is now officially in place in Armenia. But the fierce clashes between the opposition and the re-elected governing party raise concerns that Parliament is about to become a domestic policy battleground.

ZOiS Spotlight 27/2021

The Legacy of Soviet Rock in Belarusian Protest Music

by David-Emil Wickström 14/07/2021

Music has been a strong mobilising and unifying factor in the Belarusian protest movement since the 2020 presidential election. By linking their songs to Soviet-era popular music, many of today’s bands are criticising the oppressive Soviet legacy prevalent in Belarusian president Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s regime.

ZOiS Spotlight 26/2021

Spiralling Violence on the Borders in the Fergana Valley?

by Beate Eschment 07/07/2021

In April, unprecedented clashes broke out on the border between Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. A solution to the contested border issues is long overdue; its absence is driving the escalation. The situation is exacerbated by other factors, including water scarcity and population growth.

ZOiS Spotlight 25/2021

The Republic of Kazakhstan’s New Administrative Procedures Code

by Christian Schaich Christian Reitemeier 30/06/2021

Kazakhstan’s new Administrative Procedures Code is due to come into effect in July. For the first time, citizens’ rights and duties vis-à-vis their state are set forth in a single legal document. If appropriately implemented, the Code would be an important step in strengthening the rule of law.

ZOiS Spotlight 24/2021

The Hungarian Government Takes Further Steps Against NGOs

by Melanie Hien 23/06/2021

Legislation due to come into force in Hungary on 1 July will impose more stringent curbs on NGOs. Despite the revision of a previous, even more restrictive draft, the new rules – like the recently adopted anti-LGBTQ legislation – show that democracy and human rights in Hungary are still under pressure.

ZOiS Report 4/2021

Mobilising for Regional Protests on Russian Social Media: The Case of Khabarovsk

by Tatiana Golova 23/06/2021

“I/We are Khabarovsk” was a popular expression of solidarity in Russian cities, and Khabarovsk became a new signifier for politicised regional protests. A new ZOiS Report offers explanations for the longevity and mass character of the protests that were triggered by the arrest of the Sergey Furgal.

ZOiS Spotlight 23/2021

22 June: Russia Remembers the German Invasion of the Soviet Union

by Esther Meier 16/06/2021

In Russia, the Day of Remembrance and Sorrow is overshadowed by Victory Day. But while the official version of history attaches more importance to heroisation and victory than to acknowledgement of suffering and recognition of victim groups, a growing pluralisation of war remembrance has recently emerged.

ZOiS Spotlight 22/2021

30 Years of the German-Polish Treaty on Good-Neighbourliness: Civil Society Takes Centre Stage

by Peter Oliver Loew 09/06/2021

On 17 June 1991, Germany and Poland signed the Treaty on Good-Neighbourliness, celebrated as a sign of reconciliation and rapprochement. Although the Treaty has achieved some notable successes, there has been a distinct cooling of relations in the meantime. New initiatives for bilateral dialogue are required.

Release

For ZOiS, too, 2020 was no ordinary year. We look at the impact of Covid-19 on our work, introduce the new research cluster ‘Political Economy and Integration’, describe the work of the Research Management department, and provide an overview of all ZOiS events, publications, and other activities.

ZOiS Spotlight 21/2021

The Fight Against Domestic Violence in Belarus in Times of Protest

by Leandra Bias 02/06/2021

The ongoing Belarusian protests are often seen as a movement carried largely by women. For many feminist activists there are even parallels between the state-sponsored violence on the streets and violence towards domestic partners at home. These women are hoping for an upswing in attention on domestic violence.

ZOiS Spotlight 20/2021

Russia’s Arctic Balancing Act

by Nadja Douglas 26/05/2021

For its Arctic Council chairmanship that started this month, Russia has presented an agenda focused on cooperation. But Moscow has also been trying to assert its presence, interests, and authority in the Arctic region in recent years. It will be a balancing act to reconcile these partly diverging goals.

ZOiS Spotlight 19/2021

Andrei Sakharov’s Fight for Freedom

by Irina Scherbakova 19/05/2021

21 May 2021 marks the centenary of the birth of dissident and physicist Andrei Sakharov. Known as the ‘father of the Soviet hydrogen bomb’, Sakharov would become the sharpest critic of the Soviet regime and a driving force in the Soviet Union’s human rights movement. What is left of his legacy today?

ZOiS Spotlight 18/2021

Why Manizha’s 2021 Eurovision Entry Touched a Raw Nerve in Russia

by Mark Simon 12/05/2021

Manizha, a feminist singer with a Tajik migration background, is representing Russia at the Eurovision Song Contest. Fiercely criticised by conservative and nationalist forces, her nomination has sparked a debate on how diversity should be culturally represented in Russia.

ZOiS Spotlight 17/2021

Victory Day at 75+1

by Félix Krawatzek 05/05/2021

Celebrating victory in World War II on 9 May is central to Russia’s official historical narrative. As commemorations take place online and offline, ZOiS survey data show that the victory continues to generate interest among Russians. Meanwhile, the space for dissenting views is increasingly restricted.

Meet the Author | Jannis Panagiotidis

“Late resettlers” and quota refugees started to arrive in Germany from the late 1980s onwards. With his book on Post-Soviet Migration in Germany, Jannis Panagiotidis has published the first comprehensive study of the defining features of this migration and the lifeworlds which subsequently emerged.

ZOiS Spotlight 16/2021

Patriotism in the Armenian Diaspora after the Nagorno-Karabakh War

by Tsypylma Darieva 28/04/2021

Relations between the Armenian diaspora in the West and the Republic of Armenia are complex, but an emotional bond cannot be denied. While the long-term effects of the 2020 war with Azerbaijan are hard to predict, the experience may affect these communities’ views on identity and engagement with the homeland.

ZOiS Spotlight 15/2021

Migration and Its Impacts on Georgia

by Diana Bogishvili 21/04/2021

Increasing numbers of Georgians are choosing to make a life for themselves in another country. A high proportion of these migrants are young and well-educated. It is a trend which has major implications for Georgia’s demographic and social structure and may worsen inequality.

Meet the Author | Regina Smyth

Regina Smyth highlights the crucial role of control over information in authoritarian regimes. In her latest book, ‘Elections, Protest, and Authoritarian Regime Stability. Russia 2008–2020’, she analyses how the Putin regime manipulates elections and how protest movements emerge.

ZOiS Spotlight 14/2021

German Attitudes to Russia after the Navalny Poisoning

by Gwendolyn Sasse 14/04/2021

The findings of a ZOiS survey show that the poisoning of Russian opposition figure Alexei Navalny has polarised German public opinion on Russia. The country is increasingly seen as a threat, yet more respondents than before describe Vladimir Putin as an “effective president”.

ZOiS Spotlight 13/2021

Russia and the Right of Peoples to Self-Determination

by Johannes Socher 07/04/2021

When it comes to the right of peoples to self-determination, Russia’s state practice attests to its complex relationship with this principle of international law. This is especially apparent from the inconsistencies in its handling of secessionist tendencies in the post-Soviet space.

ZOiS Spotlight 12/2021

Three Paradoxes in the Bulgarian Parliamentary Election

by Daniel Smilov 31/03/2021

Despite Bulgarian prime minister Boyko Borissov’s involvement in corruption scandals that caused a wave of protests demanding his resignation, his party, GERB, will most likely win the most votes in the parliamentary election on 4 April. A closer look reveals the reasons behind this seemingly paradoxical situation.

ZOiS Report 3/2021

Belarus at a crossroads: attitudes on social and political change

by Nadja Douglas Regina Elsner Félix Krawatzek Julia Langbein Gwendolyn Sasse 25/03/2021

Following months of mass antigovernment demonstrations in Belarus, an new ZOiS Report widens the focus beyond the protesters and takes stock of the views and preferences of Belarusian citizens at a critical moment.

ZOiS Spotlight 11/2021

The Uncertain Future of Cooperative Security in Europe

by Nadja Douglas 24/03/2021

Arms control and military transparency have endured many setbacks in the last decade. Although the US and Russia recently abandoned the Open Skies Treaty, they have extended New START, the last remaining pillar of their nuclear arms-control architecture. Does this move give a reason for optimism?

ZOiS Report 2/2021

Orthodoxy, gender, and the Istanbul Convention: mapping the discourse in Ukraine

by Regina Elsner 18/03/2021

Since Ukraine has signed the Istanbul Convention in 2011, struggles have continued over its ratification and its implementation into Ukrainian law and society. The report systematises the main theological, structural, and geopolitical aspects of the positions of the Orthodox Church.

ZOiS Spotlight 10/2021

The Navalny Case and Public Discourse in Russia and the West

by Mario Baumann 17/03/2021

The poisoning of Kremlin critic Alexei Navalny has strained relations between Russia and the EU considerably. Western governments and Moscow appear to have starkly contrasting versions of events. Yet, a closer look at the two sides’ official rhetoric indicates that they still share some common ground.

ZOiS Spotlight 9/2021

Environmental Activism in an Age of Democratic Backsliding

by Adam Fagan Marek Józefiak 10/03/2021

Illiberal politics have been on the rise in post-communist members of the EU. But despite violations of civil rights, protest movements and activism seem to be more vibrant than ever. Poland’s anti-smog campaign is an example of a movement that contests the power of political elites.

ZOiS Spotlight 8/2021

The Eagle and the Bear: US-Russian Relations Under Biden

by George Soroka 03/03/2021

Early signs indicate that the new US administration will pursue a tougher foreign policy than its predecessor towards Russia. But despite the many conflicts that strain relations between Washington and Moscow, there is also hope for more routine and predictable diplomatic ties.

ZOiS Spotlight 7/2021

The Tightening Grip of Russia’s Foreign Agent Laws

by Tatiana Golova 24/02/2021

New amendments to Russia’s laws on foreign agents come into force on 1 March. The regulations could affect almost all politically active individuals and organisations in the country and increase the government’s control over any kind of activism that falls foul of the state’s official agenda.

ZOiS Spotlight 6/2021

How United Is Belarus Against the Regime?

by Félix Krawatzek 17/02/2021

For six months, opponents of the Belarusian regime have been voicing their protest. But what does the general population think about the 2020 presidential election, the government, and the protests? Does age, religion, or gender play a role in their views? To find out, ZOiS conducted a survey among Belarusians.

ZOiS Spotlight 5/2021

Domestic Violence in Ukraine: What Role for Religious Leaders?

by Tetiana Kalenychenko 10/02/2021

Ukraine’s religious leaders have long been failing to fight or even publicly address the widespread problem of domestic violence in the country. Now, for the first time, cooperation between Ukrainian NGOs and religious organisations is starting to take action against the rising number of reported cases.

ZOiS Spotlight 4/2021

Georgia’s Informal Civil Society: A Glance Behind the Scenes

by Sina Giesemann 03/02/2021

Georgia’s civil society is still seen as generally weak. A fact often overlooked, however, is that there is a long tradition of local networks, which continue to thrive to this day. Informal social and political initiatives provide insights, not least, into problems at the local level.

ZOiS Spotlight 3/2021

Shrinking Transnistria – Older, More Monotone, More Dependent

by Sabine von Löwis Andrei Crivenco 27/01/2021

Transnistria is struggling with rapid population decline, mainly due to the permanent out-migration of its well-educated young people. This has implications for regional stability and for the unresolved conflict over this de facto state on the territory of the Republic of Moldova.

ZOiS Spotlight 2/2021

Churches and Protest in Belarus: Activism or Liberation Theology?

by Regina Elsner 20/01/2021

It is an unfamiliar picture in Belarus: although the faith communities have generally kept out of politics, church representatives and believers are taking a stand on the protests sparked by the 2020 presidential election. What does this mean for the future of the churches and their socio-ethical traditions?

ZOiS Report 1/2021

Faith, state, and religious competition in Georgia

by Tsypylma Darieva 14/01/2021

A new ZOiS report investigates the relationship between state and faith in Georgia. Increasing religious pluralisation and the presence of religious difference have resulted in public debates on the disadvantaged position of religious minorities. In urban spaces, religious contestation has become visible.

ZOiS Spotlight 1/2021

Big Election Sunday in Central Asia Does Not Bode Well for Democracy

by Beate Eschment 13/01/2021

10 January was voting day in Central Asia, with a presidential election in Kyrgyzstan and parliamentary elections in Kazakhstan. Although political conditions in these two countries differ considerably, there are some parallels, offering little cause for optimism about their future political trajectory.

ZOiS Spotlight 46/2020

Belarus rises: four months and counting

by Olga Onuch 16/12/2020

The peaceful anti-regime protests in Belarus endure. A new survey reveals that they are in large part made up of people who have never taken part in protests before. The majority initially mobilised in reaction to the mass arrests and police brutality that followed the rigged 2020 presidential election.

Meet the Author | Alexey Golubev

In The Things of Life. Materiality in Late Soviet Russia, Alexey Golubev examines objects and places of everyday life, cultural goods and symbols to revisit the late socialist era anew. In the interview, Golubev points out the benefits of a “materialist” approach for studying the making of Soviet citizenship.

ZOiS Spotlight 45/2020

Shifting attitudes towards the Catholic Church in Poland

by Agnieszka Halemba 09/12/2020

The Catholic Church has long been considered one of the foundations of Poland’s national identity. Recently however, the church’s status has been shaken as a result of several revelations about the way its internal structures have covered up misconduct and crimes, including during the papacy of John Paul II.

ZOiS Spotlight 44/2020

Religious diversity as a challenge on Georgia’s path to Europe?

by Tsypylma Darieva 02/12/2020

As Georgia seeks to harmonise its human rights environment with European standards, one of its goals is to guarantee equality for the country’s many ethnic and religious minorities. This process is a balancing act in terms of both national identity politics and the dominant position of the Georgian Orthodox Church.

ZOiS Spotlight 43/2020

Local elections in Ukraine: one step closer to decentralisation

by Gwendolyn Sasse 25/11/2020

Ukraine has held its first local elections since a major decentralisation process began in 2015. The main outcome is a more vibrant local political landscape, but a new survey shows that decentralisation is only just starting to produce visible improvements.

ZOiS Spotlight 42/2020

Young feminists in Azerbaijan find a voice

by Yuliya Aliyeva 18/11/2020

A growing number of women in Azerbaijan are dissatisfied with the under-representation and subordination of women in important political institutions. While feminist activists have made minor progress in their efforts, their attempts for greater inclusion face severe backlash from the conservative forces.

ZOiS Spotlight 41/2020

Three keywords to better understand the Polish abortion protests

by Marianna Szczygielska Piotr Goldstein 11/11/2020

When Poland’s new Constitutional Tribunal banned nearly all abortions on 22 October, the move immediately sparked demonstrations and strikes across the country. The words Wypierdalać, apostasy, and Berlin help provide an understanding of the dynamics of this political unrest.

ZOiS Report 6/2020

Belarus: From the old social contract to a new social identity

by Nadja Douglas 09/11/2020

Belarus has seen large-scale protests since the presidential election. Nadja Douglas examines the underlying causes of this fundamental breakdown of state-society relations and demonstrates how Belarus has transformed from a social welfare state into a state dominated by domestic security concerns.

ZOiS Spotlight 40/2020

Moldova’s presidential election: little trust in the political class

by Nadja Douglas 04/11/2020

On 1 November, Moldovans voted in the first round of the country’s presidential election. No candidate obtained an absolute majority, therefore Moldova will head for a run-off on 15 November. For some time now, apathy and disillusionment with politics have been on the rise in the country.

ZOiS Report 5/2020

Russland²: Russlandbilder in Ost- und Westdeutschland

by Gwendolyn Sasse 29/10/2020

Im politischen Diskurs klingt regelmäßig an, dass es in Ost- und Westdeutschland auch in außenpolitischen Fragen unterschiedliche Wahrnehmungen gibt. Ein ZOiS Report geht diesen Unterschieden am Beispiel der Russlandansichten nach. Grundlage sind eine neue Umfrage und Fokusgruppendiskussionen.

ZOiS Spotlight 39/2020

Georgia on the way to proportional representation

by Diana Bogishvili 28/10/2020

Georgia will hold parliamentary elections on 31 October, and for the first time in the country’s history, the outcome will not be determined by a majoritarian system. The opposition hopes that the electoral reform will deprive the ruling party, Georgian Dream, of its parliamentary majority and dominant position.

ZOiS Spotlight 38/2020

Engaging young Russians in military history

by Jade McGlynn 21/10/2020

A positive narrative of the Great Patriotic War has been part of shaping Russian identity in recent years. Promoting pride in the army, especially among the youth, has been at the centre of state-led campaigns. Among these are military history camps aimed at fostering young people’s personal connection to the past.

ZOiS Spotlight 37/2020

Autarky instead of solidarity? The border situations in Transdniestria and Abkhazia

by Nina Lutterjohann 14/10/2020

Among the conflict areas in the post-Soviet space, escalating violence has focused renewed attention on Nagorno-Karabakh. However, efforts at conflict resolution have stalled in other crisis areas as well; here, the restrictions on cross-border movement to curb the pandemic are reinforcing isolationist tendencies.

ZOiS Spotlight 36/2020

Escalation of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict

by Nadja Douglas 07/10/2020

The conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia has serious consequences, not only for the humanitarian situation. It poses a threat to peace across the entire region. International mediators, with the OSCE at the forefront, now appear to have little leverage over the dominant external actors Russia and Turkey.

ZOiS Spotlight 35/2020

Traditionalists versus Orthodox Christians in North Ossetia–Alania

by Sergei Shtyrkov 30/09/2020

Ethnic revitalisation movements have been on the rise in the Russian republic of North Ossetia–Alania in the past decade. As a result, religious tensions have emerged between traditionalists and Orthodox believers, revealing deep-rooted issues of national identity and political positioning.

ZOiS Spotlight 34/2020

Will the revolution be Telegrammed?

by Anna Litvinenko 23/09/2020

Since the beginning of Belarusian protests in August 2020, the messaging service Telegram has been playing a crucial role in organising the protesters and is celebrated as a voice of freedom. However, while anonymous news channels help mobilise citizens, they can also be used for manipulation and impede the process of democratisation.

ZOiS Spotlight 33/2020

Russian state-sponsored media and disinformation on Twitter

by Karina Shyrokykh 16/09/2020

Russian state media have gained a reputation for generating and disseminating disinformation. With the rise of social media, this alleged attempted influence has extended to new forms. Ukraine in particular receives a considerable amount of coverage, as a new analysis of Twitter data shows.

ZOiS Spotlight 32/2020

Russia’s other history

by Nina Frieß 09/09/2020

The Apartment: A Century of Russian History – a bestselling children’s picture book – deals with events that are left out of the official narrative of 20th century Russian history. It is just one of many examples of literature that offer an alternative perspective on the country’s past.

Meet the Author | Marco Puleri

The sense of belonging of Russian speakers in Ukraine has been cause for much speculation in the media during the past years of the Ukraine crisis. In his latest publication “Ukrainian, Russophone and the Other Russian”, political scientist Marco Puleri analyses this phenomenon and shares his findings in a ZOiS interview.

ZOiS Spotlight 31/2020

Russia’s compatriots abroad: a resource or lost potential?

by Alina Jašina-Schäfer 02/09/2020

Ethnic Russians who live outside Russia yet remain affiliated with it can arouse suspicions of Russian influence in many post-Soviet countries. But the regional dynamics between Russian speakers and other citizens vary from country to country, as a comparison of Estonia and Kazakhstan shows.

ZOiS Report 4/2020

Kazakh and/or Kazakhstani? The National Identity of the Republic of Kazakhstan and its Citizens

by Beate Eschment 01/09/2020

As a multi-ethnic Republic, Kazakhstan adopted a dual approach towards national identity in the early 1990s. The relation between its different ethnic and its civic – Kazakhstani – components is investigated in a new ZOiS report. A survey shows that multiple identities exist, but Kazakhs and non-Kazakhs might identify as Kazakhstanis for different reasons.

Release

The ZOiS Annual Report gives a detailed overview of the vision, objectives, research projects, cooperations, events, publications and further activities of ZOiS. It is published annually and is available both in print and digital format.

ZOiS Spotlight 30/2020

Belarus’s presidential election: an appetite for change

by Félix Krawatzek Maryia Rohava 29/07/2020

Since two opposition candidates were barred from running in Belarus’s presidential election scheduled for 9 August, a wave of antigovernment protests has swept the country. A new ZOiS survey of young Belarusians shows high support for the alternative candidates and a strong interest in politics.

ZOiS Spotlight 29/2020

Religion and decentralisation in Russia in times of Covid-19

by Jeanne Kormina 22/07/2020

The Russian Orthodox Church is usually perceived as an ally of the Russian government. However, the process of decentralisation witnessed during the Covid-19 crisis reveals a diverse picture in which popular church leaders are openly positioning themselves against the state.

ZOiS Spotlight 28/2020

Divided lifeworlds of Georgian migrants during the pandemic

by Diana Bogishvili 15/07/2020

The Covid-19 pandemic has massively curtailed people’s freedom of action in Germany and other countries. In a crisis such as this, migrants face particular challenges and uncertainties, as new ZOiS interviews with Georgian education migrants reveal.

ZOiS Report 3/2020

Faith and state: Governing Religious Plurality in Post-Soviet Azerbaijan

by Tsypylma Darieva 08/07/2020

Drawing on qualitative interviews with representatives of state organisations, experts, and religious leaders, the report examines how the Azerbaijani state’s stance on religion has changed, what the main factors of this transformation are and how the state is responding to growing religious plurality.

ZOiS Spotlight 27/2020

Smekalka, the perpetual solution to any problem

by Renata Gußmann 08/07/2020

The Russian term 'smekalka' refers to the concept of improvisation in times of need. Being of particular relevance in Soviet times, when goods were scarce, the idea of making do with what is to hand has persisted. Still today, smekalka describes a mindset that can be seen both in Russia and around the globe.

ZOiS Spotlight 26/2020

Holocaust education in Russia

by Issy Sawkins 01/07/2020

Holocaust education in Russia is in the hands of NGOs like the Russian Research and Educational Holocaust Centre. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the centre has made materials available online through various projects. However, efforts to educate Russians about the Holocaust face challenges beyond the current crisis.

ZOiS Spotlight 25/2020

The Eastern Partnership at risk of falling into oblivion

by Julia Langbein 24/06/2020

The Virtual Eastern Partnership Summit on 18 June attracted very little public attention. Will Germany use its upcoming EU Council Presidency as an opportunity to actively engage in reorienting the Eastern Partnership? That seems unlikely – even though the region is of major strategic significance for the EU.

ZOiS Spotlight 24/2020

Living alone in old age: challenges posed by Covid-19 in rural Ukraine

by Ilona Grabmaier 17/06/2020

In Ukraine, the care of the elderly is generally a family matter – so outmigration by the younger generation can have serious consequences for senior citizens. Local networks and support from family members who have migrated are vital for many older people, but face challenges during crises.

ZOiS Spotlight 23/2020

In search of Russia’s middle class

by Bernhard Braun 10/06/2020

According to Russian President Vladimir Putin, 70 per cent of Russia’s population can officially be considered middle class. However, academic studies reveal the ambiguity of this social construct. European benchmarks and definitions are difficult to apply to Russian society.

ZOiS Spotlight 22/2020

Poland’s creative civil society in times of Covid-19

by Piotr Goldstein 03/06/2020

It has often been argued that Poland, like other Central and East European countries, lacks civil society and civic commitment. A closer look shows that while Polish activism can be hard to quantify, it takes on various creative forms, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.

ZOiS Spotlight 21/2020

Covid-19 buys time for the Ukrainian president

by Gwendolyn Sasse 27/05/2020

The crisis management of a government can significantly increase the incumbent’s popularity. New survey data reveal that most Ukrainians approve of Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic. What is less clear is whether this fillip can stop a broader trend of eroding support for the president.

ZOiS Spotlight 20/2020

Religion and State in the South Caucasus during the Covid-19 pandemic

by Tsypylma Darieva 27/05/2020

The responses of the countries of the South Caucasus to the coronavirus crisis have varied widely, as a glance at their religious institutions makes clear. In Azerbaijan and Armenia, there is compliance with the government-imposed measures, but in Georgia, a controversy has erupted over the authority of the Orthodox Church.

ZOiS Spotlight 19/2020

The coronavirus causes difficulties for foreigners in Russia

by Olga Gulina 13/05/2020

Amid ongoing efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus, Russia closed its borders on 18 March. In doing so, it jeopardised the legal status and living situation of foreigners and stateless people in the country. What is more, different regulations for various groups have created a patchy legal situation.

Meet the Author | Paul D’Anieri

In his latest book "Ukraine and Russia: From Civilized Divorce to Uncivil War ", political scientist Paul D’Anieri examines why the conflict between Russia and Ukraine has escalated. With ZOiS, he speaks about the development of the conflict, a point of no return and decision-making powers of governments.

ZOiS Spotlight 18/2020

Poland’s viral election

by Félix Krawatzek 06/05/2020

A few days before Poland’s presidential election is due to take place, it is still unclear how the country’s government can adhere to its electoral plans due to the coronavirus crisis. In the run-up of the election, ZOiS asked young Poles about their voting intentions to shed light on their fractured political views.

ZOiS Report 2/2020

Higher Education in Europe's Unrecognised Territories: Challenges and Opportunities

by Sabine von Löwis Thomas de Waal 30/04/2020

Universities in Abkhazia, Transdniestria and Northern Cyprus have fallen victim to the conflicts associated with de facto states and been cut off from international academic exchange. A new ZOiS Report analyses challenges and opportunities of higher education in these regions that is key for a healthy society.

ZOiS Spotlight 17/2020

9 May: Contested remembrance of the war’s end

by Sandra Dahlke 29/04/2020

Although this year’s Victory Parade in Russia 75 years after the end of World War II has been postponed due to coronavirus, 9 May is becoming increasingly significant for government-led remembrance policy. This is especially evident from the contested interpretations of memory in recent years.

ZOiS Spotlight 16/2020

A tactical partnership: Russia and Iran

by Ann-Sophie Gast 22/04/2020

Moscow has greatly expanded the geographical scope of its regional policy in recent years, with Iran becoming a particular focus of attention. Russia is now championing Iran’s accession to the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), notwithstanding other members’ concerns.

ZOiS Report 1/2020

World War II for Young Russians: the Production and Reception of History

by Nina Frieß Félix Krawatzek 16/04/2020

Under Vladimir Putin, historical narratives have become a central component of the Kremlin’s attempts to shape the identities of Russians at home and abroad. A new ZOiS Report analyses what World War II means for young Russians and how the conflict is represented for them in literature and film.

ZOiS Spotlight 15/2020

Hungary’s rule by decree again defies the EU

by Mihai Varga 15/04/2020

The Hungarian parliament has passed an emergency law that grants the government extensive powers in response to the coronavirus crisis. The move is another step in the course Hungary has been pursuing in recent years: towards the return of the nation-state in opposition to the EU and an alleged liberal mainstream.

ZOiS Spotlight 14/2020

Poland’s LGBT-free zones and global anti-gender campaigns

by Elżbieta Korolczuk 08/04/2020

Since March 2019, a growing number of Polish communities have declared themselves LGBT-free zones. These moves, which are supported by the country’s ruling Law and Justice party and the Catholic Church, are part of an ultra-conservative trend that can be seen in countries across the world.

ZOiS Spotlight 13/2020

Belarus’s increased vulnerability in times of crisis

by Nadja Douglas 01/04/2020

Even before the current coronavirus pandemic, Belarus faced severe socio-economic problems. With its dependence on Russia and lack of structural reforms, the country had little protection against external shocks. Now more than ever, Belarus needs urgent anti-crisis measures for both the economy and social peace.

Meet the Author | Samuel Greene

In their book “Putin v. the People: The Perilous Politics of a Divided Russia”, political scientists Samuel A. Greene and Graeme B. Robertson shed some light on the relationship between the Russian people and their president and try to explain why support for Vladimir Putin is so strong.

ZOiS Spotlight 12/2020

The churches and the coronavirus crisis in Eastern Europe: Is faith the only protection?

by Regina Elsner 25/03/2020

Eastern European countries, like many others, have imposed drastic restrictions on public life due to the coronavirus. Thus far, however, the churches have largely disregarded the ban on public gatherings. There are historical and theological reasons for this, but it also demonstrates the struggle between progressives and fundamentalists.

ZOiS Spotlight 11/2020

Ukraine’s decentralisation at a critical stage

by Sergij Solodkij 18/03/2020

Ukraine is undergoing an extensive reform of its governing structure. Decentralising power is a crucial step towards democratisation and against corruption. Cooperation with EU policymakers and donor organisations can contribute significantly to the success of the reforms.

ZOiS Spotlight 10/2020

Russia: constitutional reform as both safeguard and risk

by Gwendolyn Sasse 11/03/2020

On 10 March, not only did the State Duma approve the reform of the Russian Constitution, but the path has also been cleared for President Putin’s re-election. A referendum is planned for April. Nevertheless, the use of apparently democratic means to legitimise authoritarian presidents still poses certain risks.

ZOiS Spotlight 9/2020

Artistic tastes and socio-political values of young Russians

by Félix Krawatzek 04/03/2020

Cultural preferences are intriguing indicators of someone’s upbringing and outlook on society. Two ZOiS surveys among young Russians revealed that artistic preferences correlate well with social values but much less with political attitudes.

ZOiS Spotlight 8/2020

Domestic violence in Russia: The tough battle for protection

by Regina Elsner 26/02/2020

Violence within families is a widespread problem in Russia, yet it is still considered a normal part of everyday life. There is still no law against domestic violence. Even the latest draft of a prevention law prioritises the cohesion of the family instead of protecting victims.

ZOiS Spotlight 7/2020

A snap parliamentary election in Azerbaijan

by Altay Goyushov 19/02/2020

On 9 February, Azerbaijan held an unscheduled election after president Ilham Aliyev dissolved parliament following a request by the country’s ruling party. As in previous elections, genuine competition was prevented, and international observers indicated widespread irregularities.

ZOiS Spotlight 6/2020

Polish youth, nationalism, and the far right

by Tom Junes 12/02/2020

In recent years, Poland has witnessed a considerable rise in right-wing populism, resulting in electoral successes for nationalist parties. Support for far-right tendencies seems to be notably strong among the younger generation. How can this be explained, and what could it mean for Polish politics?

ZOiS Spotlight 5/2020

Q-pop: a cultural phenomenon in Kazakhstan

by Merey Otan 05/02/2020

South Korean pop music is a unique cultural form that has spread around the world. In Kazakhstan, K-pop not only became extremely popular but also developed into a local version: Q-pop. Initially perceived negatively by the country’s traditional society, the controversial music form has eventually been accepted.

ZOiS Spotlight 4/2020

Belarus and Russia: turbulent relations

by Kostiantyn Fedorenko 29/01/2020

Russia’s attempts to influence Belarus’s political and economic course have led to growing tensions between the two countries in the past months. Some even fear for the former Soviet state’s independence. While annexation is unlikely, Moscow’s pressure on Minsk is not expected to reduce in the foreseeable future.

ZOiS Spotlight 3/2020

Russia in German public opinion

by Liana Fix 22/01/2020

Once a year the Körber-Stiftung conducts a survey on Germans’ attitudes towards their country’s foreign policy. The most recent results show that although Russia is still perceived as an important partner, international fault lines and rivalries also leave their mark.

ZOiS Spotlight 2/2020

Contested post-Soviet borders: Ukraine as a case in point

by Sabine von Löwis 15/01/2020

Existing and historical borders are zones not only of contact and exchange but also of conflict and discrimination. Ukraine is a striking example of these complex situations, with borders characterised by international power struggles, ethnic disputes, historical processes, and new formations.

ZOiS Spotlight 1/2020

“New Uzbekistan, new elections”?

by Beate Eschment 08/01/2020

On 22 December 2019, parliamentary elections were held in Uzbekistan – the first since the country’s reformist President Shavkat Mirziyoyev took power. The elections were promoted by official sources as a key element of the modernisation agenda. But did they live up to this claim?

ZOiS Spotlight 47/2019

Croatia’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union: new impetus for the Balkans

by Carolin Leutloff-Grandits 18/12/2019

In January 2020, Croatia will take over the six-month Presidency of the Council of the European Union. But the initial euphoria at the country’s accession to the EU in 2013 has given way to growing popular scepticism towards the EU. Nevertheless, Croatia has set itself an ambitious agenda for its Presidency.

ZOiS Spotlight 46/2019

Life between two worlds: labour migrants in Russia

by Tsypylma Darieva 11/12/2019

Labour migration from Central Asia to Russia is not only an important economic development factor but also has far-reaching social dimensions. This implies new research questions for the region about the effects of migration on traditional family values across borders.

ZOiS Spotlight 45/2019

Peace building in the Eastern Partnership: what roles for Russia and the EU?

by Elkhan Nuriyev 04/12/2019

Ongoing geopolitical conflicts in the Eastern Partnership countries threaten economic prosperity and destabilise the entire region. While solving the security dilemma is crucial for the affected countries, they also face the competing interests of Russia and the EU. This situation calls for new peace strategies.

ZOiS Spotlight 44/2019

Lukashenka’s regime: rooted in youth summer camps?

by Kristiina Silvan 27/11/2019

Each year, the Belarusian Republican Youth Union (BRSM), a youth movement that supports Belarus’s authoritarian government, organises summer camps for thousands of young activists. These camps are venues where young people’s solidarity is forged and channelled into a political resource for the regime.

Meet the Author | Olga Gulina

Since the end of the Soviet Union, migration management has become a tool for staking out zones of geopolitical influence. In her new book, Olga Gulina analyses migration policy trends in the post-Soviet space and their impacts in the region. In this interview with ZOiS, she offers some insights into her research.

ZOiS Spotlight 43/2019

Publishing in Kazakhstan: new ways for writers

by Nina Frieß 20/11/2019

Almost three decades after the end of the Soviet Union and its state-owned publishing houses, Kazakhstan still lacks a publishing industry worthy of the name. This puts authors in a precarious position. They are now increasingly searching for new strategies to print and market their works.

ZOiS Spotlight 42/2019

Rap in Kyrgyz

by Florian Coppenrath 13/11/2019

There is a vibrant Kyrgyz language rap scene emerging in Kyrgyzstan. Although the artists are mainly concerned with promoting their own language and cultural identity through their lyrics, social and financial pressure also means that more controversial issues are taboo.

ZOiS Spotlight 41/2019

30 years after the German-Polish reconciliation mass

by Gregor Feindt 06/11/2019

German-Polish relations have become noticeably more acrimonious in tone in recent years. During the revolutions of 1989, however, they played an important role. The highly symbolic reconciliation mass 30 years ago is also evidence of closer links being forged between civil society and politics.

ZOiS Spotlight 40/2019

Secularism and Islam: new religious education in Azerbaijan

by Tsypylma Darieva 30/10/2019

From the next academic year, religion will be a mandatory subject in university and secondary-school curriculums in Azerbaijan. This move marks another step in the country’s restrictive, top-down regulations that aim to promote secularism and control religious activities.

ZOiS Report 5/2019

Youth in Belarus: Outlook on Life and Political Attitudes

by Félix Krawatzek 24/10/2019

In the run-up to the parliamentary vote on 17 November 2019 and the presidential election due by August 2020 at the latest, a ZOiS Report provides rare insights into the political attitudes of Belarusians aged between 16 and 34, their political engagement, and their views on and experiences with other countries.

ZOiS Spotlight 39/2019

A show of power by Georgia’s ruling party

by Diana Bogishvili 23/10/2019

Georgia has experienced a summer of unprecedented anti-government protests. Since then, however, the chain of events has followed a pattern that is unlikely to please the demonstrators: under Bidzina Ivanishvili’s leadership, Georgia’s ruling party has gone on the offensive in an effort to expand its control.

ZOiS Spotlight 38/2019

Defining borders online: Russia’s sovereign Internet bill

by Anna Litvinenko 16/10/2019

Russia’s sovereign Internet bill, which comes into force on 1 November 2019, is a further step in the development of restrictive Internet regulations that began after the 2011–12 protest wave. The total isolation of the Russian-language part of the web seems unlikely, but a new democratic model of Internet governance is still urgently needed.

ZOiS Spotlight 37/2019

The Cold War as narrative? Old representations and new emotions

by Christoph Creutziger Paul Reuber 09/10/2019

Thirty years after the demise of the Soviet Union, geopolitical representations of a “New Cold War” are experiencing a revival in public discourses. In Germany, its increasing use and emotionalised framings in politics and the media shows that the West’s self-distancing from the East seems to have increased.

ZOiS Spotlight 36/2019

In Russia, social issues are of immense importance for the stability of the political system. It is unlikely, however, that poverty will trigger protests among the Russian people. What is lacking is a specific social conflict capable of activating the existing protest potential.

ZOiS Spotlight 35/2019

A “quite recent” event? Young Poles’ awareness of history

by Nadja Sieffert 25/09/2019

ZOiS asked 2,000 Poles aged between 16 and 34 which key historical events are important in understanding Poland today. The findings show that motifs from the Polish government’s national-conservative policies on history barely resonate in young people’s perceptions.

Meet the Author | Richard Youngs

In his latest book Richard Youngs shows how contemporary civic activism has changed globally over the years, focussing on its new forms and recent developments. He also analyses the impact of new civic activism on the civil society itself, using the information gathered on all the main latest protests around the world.

ZOiS Report 4/2019

Youth in Poland: Outlook on Life and Political Attitudes

by Félix Krawatzek 19/09/2019

A ZOiS survey conducted in February 2019 provides insights into the political attitudes of young Poles, their political engagement, and their views on and experiences with other countries in the run-up to two important elections: the parliamentary vote on 13 October 2019 and the presidential election due by May 2020 at the latest.

ZOiS Spotlight 34/2019

The Eastern Partnership at ten: a major flop?

by Nikoloz Tokhvadze 18/09/2019

One of the main goals of the partnership between the European Union and six post-Soviet countries is democratic transition for the Eastern partners. A decade after its launch, the outcome can hardly be called successful. To change that, a solid normative basis and strong pragmatic incentives are vital.

ZOiS Spotlight 33/2019

Russian media and climate change in the Arctic

by Dmitry Yagodin 11/09/2019

Climate change is affecting the Arctic faster than the Earth on average. Yet, economic interests dominate in the Russian part of the region, and the local and national media still consider this topic politicised, full of uncertainties and conspiracy theories. Thus, journalism misses its potential to help.

ZOiS Spotlight 32/2019

Academic freedom under pressure in Hungary

by Péter Balogh 04/09/2019

In a controversial process, the Hungarian government has transferred the management of the country’s largest network of research institutions from the autonomous Hungarian Academy of Sciences to a new body. Many researchers doubt that the government is being transparent about its real intentions.

ZOiS Spotlight 31/2019

Only losers in Kyrgyzstan

by Beate Eschment 28/08/2019

In early August, Kyrgyzstan’s former president Almazbek Atambayev made headlines when he resisted arrest with the help of armed supporters. The events mark the culmination of a conflict that has been brewing for months between Atambayev and the current head of state, Sooronbay Jeenbekov.

ZOiS Report 3/2019

Attitudes and identities across the Donbas front line: What has changed from 2016 to 2019?

by Gwendolyn Sasse 27/08/2019

A new ZOiS report examines changes in public opinion in the Donbas region of eastern Ukraine. It draws on original cross-sectional survey data from 2016 and 2019. The focus is on three issues: identity; the status of the non-government-controlled territories and the Minsk II Agreement; and mobility and transnational linkages.

ZOiS Report 2/2019

Friedensstifter oder Konfliktträger? Der Krieg in der Ukraine als sozialethische Herausforderung für die orthodoxen Kirchen

by Regina Elsner 08/08/2019

Die durch den Krieg entstandenen gesellschaftlichen Entwicklungen in der Ukraine haben zu großen Veränderungen in der kirchlichen Landschaft geführt. Regina Elsner analysiert im neuen ZOiS Report die Haltungen der orthodoxen Kirchen in der Ukraine und Russland zum Krieg.

ZOiS Spotlight 30/2019

The end of the INF Treaty: what does it mean for Europe?

by Ulrich Kühn 31/07/2019

On 2 August 2019, a key chapter in European security draws to a close with the US and Russian withdrawal from the INF Treaty after more than three decades of nuclear disarmament. The move will lead to a massive loss of military transparency and predictability and potentially trigger a new missile arms race, focused on Eastern Europe.

ZOiS Spotlight 29/2019

Ukraine’s balancing act

by Balázs Jarábik 24/07/2019

New Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s party, Servant of the People, will have a majority in the country’s parliament after the snap election held on 21 July. Zelenskiy is now under a lot of pressure to address Ukraine’s challenges, among them the war in the Donbas and widespread corruption.

ZOiS Report 1/2019

„Kasachstanische Märchen“ – ein literarisches Identitätsangebot für alle Kasachstaner*innen

by Nina Frieß 18/07/2019

Die Kasachstanischen Märchen von Yuriy Serebryansky lassen sich als Versuch verstehen, allen Bürger*innen Kasachstans unabhängig von ihrer ethnischen Herkunft ein Identitätsangebot zu machen. Nina Frieß kennzeichnet im ZOiS Report 1/2019 die Texte als Kunstmärchen mit sozialkritischem Charakter.

ZOiS Spotlight 28/2019

What Poland sees in the Three Seas Initiative

by George Soroka 17/07/2019

In 2015, Poland and Croatia launched the Three Seas Initiative to promote relations among twelve Central and East European states. While many observers remain sceptical about Poland’s motives, the forum might prove sustainable if the Polish government stays focused on economic issues.

ZOiS Spotlight 27/2019

Fairytales with a critical twist

by Nina Frieß 10/07/2019

Sociocritical literature is rare in Kazakhstan. Yuriy Serebryansky’s Kazakhstani Fairytales succeeds as a multifaceted work that voices subtle criticism of the regime and draws attention to social and environmental problems while creating a literary blueprint for inclusive identity for the country’s ethnically diverse population.

ZOiS Spotlight 26/2019

Civil and political turmoil in Georgia

by Diana Bogishvili 03/07/2019

On 20 June, a conference in Georgia’s Parliament was opened by a Russian politician. The ensuing protests reveal deep wounds within the Georgian population, stemming from the Georgian-Russian conflict over Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The police used strong-arm tactics against the protesters.

ZOiS Spotlight 25/2019

Moldova’s political crisis and its aftershocks

by Nadja Douglas 26/06/2019

Largely unnoticed by Western media, Moldova has experienced a serious political crisis in recent weeks. A standoff between two rival governments lasted about a week—and read like a political thriller, with dramatic developments unfolding by the day.

ZOiS Spotlight 24/2019

Russia’s three fronts of civil society

by Andrei Kolesnikov 19/06/2019

In recent years, the authoritarian state in Russia has been splintering civil society into segments that are willing to cooperate with the state and ones that are not. As a result, civic commitment is becoming critical, and conflict and polarisation in Russia are on the rise.

ZOiS Spotlight 23/2019

Kazakhstan risks a frozen conflict on the domestic policy front

by Sebastian Schiek 11/06/2019

After Nursultan Nazarbayev’s surprise resignation and early elections, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev is Kazakhstan’s new president. Following the formal changeover, whose real purpose is to preserve the power behind the throne, a new protest movement has emerged – the first to openly challenge the authoritarian regime.

ZOiS Spotlight 22/2019

“From Belgrade and Pristina, with love”

by Eva Kowollik 05/06/2019

Although the Kosovo War ended 20 years ago, dealing with the past is still a challenging process. But there are some exceptions, notably in the cultural sphere. The annual POLIP International Literature Festival promotes literary exchanges and encounters between writers from Kosovo and Serbia.

ZOiS Spotlight 21/2019

The Orthodox Churches in Ukraine in the wake of the election campaign

by Regina Elsner 29/05/2019

The founding of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) in January 2019 is celebrated by many as a historic event in Ukraine’s journey as an independent nation. While President Selenski has no desire to further politicise the faith issue, the churches must seek a new direction in a complex situation.

ZOiS Spotlight 20/2019

What does Europe mean for young Poles?

by Félix Krawatzek 22/05/2019

As the European Parliament elections approach, the support of voters in Poland is divided between populist Eurosceptic and pro-European parties. To find out more about the political views of the young generation, ZOiS asked 2,000 Poles about the two most important things they associate with Europe.

ZOiS Spotlight 19/2019

The European refugee crisis and refugee protection in Poland

by Karolina Lukasiewicz 15/05/2019

The European Court of Justice will soon begin hearings into the cases of Poland, Hungary and Czech Republic, which have failed to meet their obligations to take in refugees. The Polish government’s withdrawal from the EU’s refugee relocation mechanism is one of many steps the ruling party has taken against the protection of refugees.

ZOiS Spotlight 18/2019

The present and future of post-Soviet war commemoration

by Mischa Gabowitsch 08/05/2019

Every year, 9 May is celebrated as Victory Day, with large-scale commemoration of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany. There are some critical voices, however, who claim that the Russian regime is manipulating memory to stir up nationalist pride. But this was always more than just a state-sponsored day of remembrance.

ZOiS Spotlight 17/2019

Jazz, Soviet culture, and the limits of a bipolar world

by Michel Abeßer 30/04/2019

In the Soviet Union, jazz was not only a cultural influence from the West but also a musical form with its own tradition. On 30 April, World Jazz Day provides an occasion to reflect on this little-known topic and to question the narrative that jazz is incompatible with dictatorship.

ZOiS Spotlight 16/2019

Commemorating the Armenian Genocide after the Velvet Revolution

by Tsypylma Darieva 24/04/2019

On 24 April, Armenia commemorates the Armenian Genocide of 1915. This national trauma is at the heart of Armenian identity politics and has enormous significance, particularly among the diaspora. Yet since the revolution of 2018, it seems Armenia also needs new, future-oriented identity offerings.

ZOiS Spotlight 15/2019

Nursultan Nazarbayev: Strategic withdrawal by increments?

by Beate Eschment 17/04/2019

Kazakhstan seems full of surprises this spring: in mid March, the country’s first president Nursultan Nazarbayev stepped down, and in early April, his successor announced early presidential elections. However, both moves may well be part of Nazarbayev’s planned and orchestrated withdrawal.

ZOiS Spotlight 14/2019

Grand strategies and natural limitations in the Russian Arctic

by Nadja Douglas 10/04/2019

On 9–10 April, the International Arctic Forum is taking place in St Petersburg with the aim of discussing the development of the Arctic. While Russia has recently intensified its military activity in the region emphasising its the strategic relevance, the government’s capacities are limited.

ZOiS Spotlight 13/2019

The European culture wars

by Kristina Stöckl 03/04/2019

This year’s World Congress of Families (WCF) in Verona has once more exposed strong coalitions between predominantly Christian, ultra-conservative groups all over Europe. In Eastern Europe, the support of its “pro-family” agenda is driven by anti-liberalism and anti-EU sentiment.

ZOiS Spotlight 12/2019

The mood in Ukraine’s Donbas ahead of the presidential election

by Gwendolyn Sasse 27/03/2019

On 31 March, Ukrainian voters will elect a new president. A ZOiS survey conducted in the government-controlled areas of the eastern Donbas region shows how voters’ experience of war and disappointment in Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko’s government have affected their political preferences.

ZOiS Spotlight 11/2019

The life and death of the Russian blog

by Gernot Howanitz 20/03/2019

For Russian authors, blogs are an important tool for self-representation, as well as being an opportunity to get their writing published. However, more and more of these platforms are vanishing from the web. A study reveals how Russian literary blogging is changing and how this will affect literature offline.

ZOiS Spotlight 10/2019

Crimea: the interface between politics and culture

by Tatjana Hofmann 13/03/2019

The controversial referendum on the status of Crimea, held on 16 March 2014, was followed by Russia’s annexation of the peninsula. The local cultural scene was not adversely affected, but nor did it experience any significant resurgence, even though this would be desirable as a contribution to the political debate.

ZOiS Spotlight 9/2019

Revolution in Armenia: before and after the elections

by Gayane Shagoyan 06/03/2019

Armenia’s parliamentary election in December 2018 made Nikol Pashinyan prime minister and marked the end of a peaceful revolution. Although the euphoria of the revolution has not yet run out, the new ruling party now faces the challenge of transforming itself into a government.

ZOiS Spotlight 8/2019

Four years of the Eurasian Economic Union: an economic flop?

by Ann-Sophie Gast 27/02/2019

The establishment of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) was one of the key foreign policy projects for Vladimir Putin’s third term in office. Four years on, the outcomes for its member states are less than impressive. Meanwhile, China’s economic significance in the region has increased.

Meet the Author | Vladimir Kolosov

In his monograph "Russian Border Regions: Neighbourhood Challenges", geographer Vladimir Kolosov explores how integration processes and political challenges on the international and regional levels influence the development of Russian borderlands.

ZOiS Spotlight 7/2019

The Moldovan parliamentary elections and the Transnistria conflict

by Sabine von Löwis 20/02/2019

Moldova will elect a new parliament on 24 February following a much-criticised reform of electoral law. What’s more, voters in Transnistria will be able to directly elect two members of parliament for the first time. The outcome could refresh the negotiations in the conflict between the two regions.

ZOiS Spotlight 6/2019

Shifting perspective: Chechnya from within

by Nina Frieß 13/02/2019

In the literature, the wars in Chechnya are mainly described from a soldier’s perspective – the civilian population’s voices generally go unheard. A notable exception is the diary by the young Polina Zherebtsova, a remarkable account of every-day life and war in the ruins of Grozny.

ZOiS Spotlight 5/2019

Memory laws and Polish voices from abroad

by Félix Krawatzek 06/02/2019

In 2018, the Polish government passed a law that made it illegal to accuse the Polish nation of complicity in the Holocaust. The different reactions of the Polish diaspora in Chicago and Tel Aviv highlight the impact of political remittances and the importance of local context.

ZOiS Spotlight 4/2019

Hungary’s winter of discontent

by Dorothee Bohle 30/01/2019

Since December 2018, a sustained wave of anti-government protest has swept Hungary as the combined result of culture wars, economic strains, and increasing disdain for parliament. Although unprecedented, the demonstrations are unlikely to stop the country’s turn towards authoritarianism.

ZOiS Spotlight 3/2019

New wave of persecutions against LGBTI* people in Chechnya

by Regina Elsner 23/01/2019

At the start of 2019, large numbers of people were arrested in a renewed anti-gay crackdown in Chechnya. Discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity has increased across Russia, but in Chechnya, legal instability and traditional values are proving to be a particularly toxic mix.

ZOiS Spotlight 2/2019

Moscow’s asymmetric proxy wars

by Theocharis Grigoriadis 16/01/2019

With its military involvement in Ukraine and Syria, Moscow has returned to a competitive relationship with the West, using proxy wars as strategy. Historical examples show that when one agent of a proxy conflict receives disproportionately more support than the other, peace becomes less likely.

ZOiS Spotlight 1/2019

The sale of agricultural land in Ukraine

by Sabine von Löwis 09/01/2019

In December 2018, the Ukrainian government extended the moratorium on the sale of agriculture land for the tenth time – but it will not be able to stand firm against international pressure for much longer. However, a lifting of the ban would have profound socio-economic consequences for the country.

Release

Als besonderes Schwerpunktthema blicken wir 2018 auf die Wissenschaftskommunikation und die Frage, wie man Menschen erreicht, die selbst nicht in der Wissenschaft tätig sind. Außerdem berichten die wissenschaftlichen Mitarbeiter*innen von Entwicklungen, die ihre Arbeit 2018 beeinflusst und was sie im Zusammenhang mit ihren Projekten gelernt haben.

ZOiS Spotlight 44/2018

Romania, an EU success story?

by Alina Mungiu-Pippidi 19/12/2018

After the bloodiest regime change in Eastern Europe, Romanian society reconciled around the goal of EU accession in the 1990s. As Romania is about to take over the presidency of the Council of the European Union in January 2019, this article looks back at the country’s European integration.

Meet the Author | Félix Krawatzek

In his recently published book "Youth in Regime Crisis: Comparative Perspectives from Russia to Weimar Germany", Félix Krawatzek investigates the political mobilisation of young people and the symbolic importance of youth at moments of crisis.

ZOiS Spotlight 43/2018

25 years of the Russian Constitution

by Christian Schaich 12/12/2018

The Velvet Revolution in Armenia in May demonstrated that peaceful protest can be successful. As the next step, Nikol Pashinyan and his political bloc aim to win the parliamentary elections on 9 December. Their expected victory will create opportunities, but also risks, for their country.

ZOiS Report 4/2018

Public Perceptions in Flux: Identities, War, and Transnational Linkages in Ukraine

by Gwendolyn Sasse 06/12/2018

This report examines changes in public opinion in Ukraine (excluding the non-government controlled areas in the Donbas and Crimea) based on original survey data from 2017 and 2018. The focus is on three issues: identity (citizenship and language); the status of the Donbas and the Minsk Agreement; and relations with the EU and Russia.

ZOiS Spotlight 42/2018

The Armenian Revolution: nearing completion?

by Silvia Stöber 05/12/2018

The Velvet Revolution in Armenia in May demonstrated that peaceful protest can be successful. As the next step, Nikol Pashinyan and his political bloc aim to win the parliamentary elections on 9 December. Their expected victory will create opportunities, but also risks, for their country.

ZOiS Spotlight 41/2018

Prestige project in Tajikistan – the Rogun hydropower plant

by Beate Eschment 28/11/2018

The first turbine at the Rogun hydropower plant is now in operation, seemingly bringing Tajikistan a major step closer to energy security and a substantial income from electricity exports. For President Rahmon, this mega-project fulfils a long-held ambition. But will the public benefit as well? That remains to be seen.

ZOiS Spotlight 40/2018

Latvia’s centenary

by Eva-Clarita Pettai 21/11/2018

On 18 November 1918, Latvia proclaimed its independence. Despite the later experiences of occupation, oppression and attempted Russification, this date symbolises one thing above all else: the continuity of the Latvian state under international law, with profound implications for the country’s future.

ZOiS Spotlight 39/2018

Historical loyalty? Russian youth and its assessment of history

by Félix Krawatzek 14/11/2018

The Russian political elite invests significant resources in shaping the country’s historical narratives. To this end, patriotic education of youth is a central tool. A ZOiS survey of young Russians gives insights into the notions that young people hold about historical events.

ZOiS Spotlight 38/2018

Ukrainian migrants in Poland: here to stay?

by Alexander Chertenko 07/11/2018

In Russia, 30 October is the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repression. But one group of prisoners in the Soviet forced labour camps – composers – has largely gone unnoticed. How did they manage to continue working in the camps? And what is left of their creative endeavours today?

ZOiS Spotlight 37/2018

Unheard – music by composers in the gulag

by Inna Klause 31/10/2018

In Russia, 30 October is the Day of Remembrance of Victims of Political Repression. But one group of prisoners in the Soviet forced labour camps – composers – has largely gone unnoticed. How did they manage to continue working in the camps? And what is left of their creative endeavours today?

ZOiS Spotlight 36/2018

The certainty of uncertainty: Georgia’s presidential election

by Kornely Kakachia 24/10/2018

On 28 October, Georgians will elect their country’s fifth president. Because the incumbent, Giorgi Margvelashvili, is not standing for re-election and many voters are still undecided, it could be the most contentious and unpredictable vote Georgia has faced since regaining its independence in 1991.

ZOiS Spotlight 35/2018

War and water in the Donbas

by Sophie Lambroschini 17/10/2018

Georgia is the Guest of Honour at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair. One of the showcased authors, Georgian-born Nino Haratischwili, was nominated for the German Book Prize. Her new novel about the war in Chechnya is highly political – like much of the contemporary literature in her country of origin.

Meet the Author | Mikhail Minakov

In his latest book, Mikhail Minakov analyses the developmental challenges that post-Soviet societies face during their transition to new political and cultural orders. He proposes a vision on how Western and post-communist Europe may be able to create a sustainable pan-European common space.

ZOiS Spotlight 34/2018

Of writing and writers from Georgia

by Nina Frieß 10/10/2018

Georgia is the Guest of Honour at this year’s Frankfurt Book Fair. One of the showcased authors, Georgian-born Nino Haratischwili, was nominated for the German Book Prize. Her new novel about the war in Chechnya is highly political – like much of the contemporary literature in her country of origin.

ZOiS Spotlight 33/2018

Money laundering in Moldova

by Sergiu Gaibu 04/10/2018

Moldova has been involved in two money laundering scandals in recent years. In early October, experts from the Council of Europe were sent to the country to evaluate its responses. Among other tasks, future regulations should focus on preventing the involvement of state institutions in money-laundering operations.

ZOiS Spotlight 32/2018

Perceptions of income inequality in Central and Eastern Europe

by Alice Lackner 26/09/2018

Central and Eastern European economies underwent a massive shift from socialism to capitalism during the 1990s, as a result of which income inequality rose drastically. Simultaneously, the way people perceived and accepted social disparity changed as well.

ZOiS Spotlight 31/2018

An independent Church in Ukraine: peace-maker or warmonger?

by Regina Elsner 19/09/2018

A debate has recently sprung up about the potentially explosive implications, both political and ecclesial, of possible independence for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. It illustrates yet again the ambivalent nature of autocephaly – and the role of the churches in social and political conflicts.

ZOiS Spotlight 30/2018

Subject choice as a political issue: Russian Germans, identity and geopolitics

by Manuel Rommel 12/09/2018

Why do young post-Soviet migrants living in Germany opt for Slavonic studies programmes at university? As surveys among students show, this question is bound up with their own family history and identity – but also with recent political events.

ZOiS Spotlight 29/2018

Neighbourly re-education: the Kazakh minority in China

by Taissiya Sutormina 05/09/2018

During her trial on charges of illegally crossing the border, an ethnic Kazakh and Chinese national testified about “re-education camps” in the Western Chinese province of Xinjiang, turning the spotlight on the oppression suffered by the Kazakh diaspora in China.

ZOiS Report 3/2018

The culture of policing in Armenia

by Nadja Douglas 09/08/2018

In April and May 2018, anti-government protests mobilised thousands of people in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, and put law enforcement, the rule of law, and the overall political system in the country to the test. How have state-society relations evolved over time to make these events possible and what role did state power structures play?

Meet the Author | Regina Elsner

In her doctoral thesis, theologian Regina Elsner investigates the tensions between Church and society in 21st-century Russia. In so doing, she also examines the historical attitude of the Russian Orthodox Church (ROK) towards renewal and diversity.

ZOiS Spotlight 28/2018

How the World Cup made its mark on Kaliningrad

by Rita Sanders 25/07/2018

As one of the host cities for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Kaliningrad suddenly found itself in the international spotlight. Its response to fans and the debate about the city’s marketing of itself have raised questions of identity and the interpretation of history.

ZOiS Spotlight 27/2018

No populism: dispute over Russia’s new pension reform

by Katharina Bluhm 18/07/2018

In June 2018, the Russian government announced a sharp rise in the retirement age – a move which met with public outrage nationwide. However, the debates about the planned reform have uncovered more deep-rooted conflicts over the country’s economic development and social justice.

Meet the Author | Tsypylma Darieva

Together with Florian Mühlfried (FSU Jena) and Kevin Tuite (University of Montreal), Tsypylma Darieva is the editor of "Sacred Places—Emerging Spaces: Religious Pluralism in the post-Soviet Caucasus" (Berghahn, 2018). In the book, they map the current state of religious affairs in the Caucasus.

ZOiS Spotlight 26/2018

Social media networks of the post-Soviet minority in Germany

by Tatiana Golova 11/07/2018

A ZOiS study investigates the political potential of social media for the post-Soviet minority in Germany. In light of media reports about bots and troll factories, the question which arises, not least for research, is to what extent this communication is

ZOiS Report 2/2018

Postsowjetische Migranten in Deutschland und transnationale Social Media-Öffentlichkeiten

by Tatiana Golova 09/07/2018

Das Projekt „Postsowjetische Migranten in Deutschland und transnationale Öffentlichkeiten auf Social Media“ geht der Frage nach, wie und inwiefern sich unter Beteiligung postsowjetischer Migrant*innen in Deutschland transnationale, russisch-deutsche Öffentlichkeiten mittels Social Media entwickeln. Für die Studie wurden Daten über eine Schnittstelle des größten russischen sozialen Netzwerks VKontakte erhoben.

ZOiS Spotlight 25/2018

The Western Balkan route and European border policies

by Jelena Tošić 04/07/2018

In 2015 a great number of refugees made their way to Western Europe via the Western Balkan migration route, and the European refugee crisis began. In the countries of Southeast Europe, clashes ensued over what a European answer to the crisis should look like.

ZOiS Spotlight 24/2018

Memory and history in Ukraine after the Euromaidan

by Yuliya Yurchuk 27/06/2018

Following Azerbaijan’s presidential election in April 2018, Ilham Aliyev entered the fourth term of his authoritarian rule. Now, by celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the first Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the government is seeking to demonstrate the continuity of Azerbaijani statehood and secularism.

ZOiS Report 1/2018

Youth in Russia: Outlook on Life and Political Attitudes

by Gwendolyn Sasse Félix Krawatzek 27/06/2018

Russian youth has been very visible in recent political protests across the country, but there is also evidence that the younger generation is either disengaged from politics, or conservative and loyal to President Putin. The ZOiS survey among youth across fifteen regional capitals in the Russian Federation (April 2018) provides insights into these seemingly contradictory trends.

ZOiS Spotlight 23/2018

Azerbaijan celebrates its secular legacy

by Tsypylma Darieva 20/06/2018

Following Azerbaijan’s presidential election in April 2018, Ilham Aliyev entered the fourth term of his authoritarian rule. Now, by celebrating the 100th anniversary of the birth of the first Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, the government is seeking to demonstrate the continuity of Azerbaijani statehood and secularism.

Meet the Author | Timm Beichelt

In his recently published essay "Ersatzspielfelder", author Timm Beichelt examines the social significance of football in the European context. In doing so, he aims to make a fundamental statement about the relationship between society, power, and politics.

ZOiS Spotlight 22/2018

The Politics of Football in Russia: Repressive and Rational

by Timm Beichelt 13/06/2018

The decision to award the 2018 World Cup to Russia was widely criticised. It is hardly the only coun-try in which football, business and politics are deeply intertwined, but the authoritarian regime in Moscow has found its own, particular way to take advantage of football and the media spectacle which accompanies it for its own purposes.

ZOiS Spotlight 21/2018

Armenia, a textbook case of a peaceful uprising

by Silvia Stöber 06/06/2018

A peaceful protest movement has led to a change of power in Armenia. Now the challenge is to shape the transition within the framework of the political system. The circumstances are difficult, but success is not impossible.

ZOiS Spotlight 20/2018

Svetlana Alexievich and nostalgia

by Anja Tippner 30/05/2018

For her polyphonic writing, for which she conducted hundreds of interviews, the writer Svetlana Alexievich was awarded the 2015 Nobel Prize in Literature. The disillusionment and nostalgia conveyed in many of these oral testimonies form a contemporary literary analysis of post-socialism.

ZOiS Spotlight 19/2018

Sobibor today

by Elza-Bair Guchinova 23/05/2018

The Russian film Sobibor tells the story of one of the rare uprisings at a Nazi death camp in 1943. The story’s protagonist, the Soviet lieutenant Alexander Pechersky, was not honoured during Soviet times, but the film now serves as a reminder of the role of the Red Army in defeating Nazism.

ZOiS Spotlight 18/2018

The politics of homophobia in Eastern Europe

by Richard Mole 16/05/2018

The 14 years since the first International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia have witnessed a marked improvement for LGBT people in many states across Europe. More recently, however, some of these advances have been eroded or are at risk as a result of the rise of populism and nationalism in several states – most noticeably Poland and Russia.

ZOiS Spotlight 17/2018

Linking language and security in Ukraine

by Gwendolyn Sasse 09/05/2018

Ukraine’s current language policies are based on a monolingual definition of the Ukrainian state. This partly reflects the influence of the ongoing war in the Donbas. However, bilingualism in Ukraine is widespread and does not undermine the notion of a Ukrainian identity, as research indicates.

ZOiS Spotlight 16/2018

Russia and the European Convention on Human Rights

by Caroline von Gall 02/05/2018

On 5 May 1998, the Russian Federation joined the European Convention on Human Rights. Twenty years later, Russia’s relationship with the Council of Europe is at a political impasse and it is unlikely that the Convention will be fully implemented in Russia.

ZOiS Spotlight 15/ 2018

Turning Russians into Balts?

by James Hughes 25/04/2018

Latvia has just passed new laws that require a gradual switch from Russian or bilingual curricula in schools to teaching only in Latvian. Aimed at integration, the legislation may in fact further alienate Russophones at a time of low trust and heightened tension between the West and Russia.

ZOiS Spotlight 14/2018

Since the gas attack in Syria, a sharper tone can be heard between Russia and the US once again. The constant talk of a new Cold War is misleading, however – every era needs its own solutions.

ZOiS Spotlight 13/2018

Migration flows from Ukraine: changing trends

by Olga Gulina Oleksii Pozniak 11/04/2018

Political instability and the conflict in the east of the country have radically altered patterns of migration from Ukraine. Given the threat of population decline, the outflow of labour poses a serious challenge for the future – one which Ukraine needs to take seriously.

Meet the Authors | Grigore Pop-Eleches and Joshua A. Tucker

In 'Communism’s shadow: historical legacies and contemporary political attitudes' Grigore Pop-Eleches and Joshua A. Tucker study how the experience of living through communism shaped the attitude of people in post-communist countries. They show that legacy effects of communism can be found and that those effects are surprisingly consistent.

ZOiS Spotlight 12/2018

Hungary’s parliamentary election: a bottom-up perspective

by Chris Hann 04/04/2018

On 8 April, Hungary will hold a parliamentary election, and prime minister Viktor Orbán’s party will probably triumph again. A surprise like the recent defeat of a Fidesz mayoral candidate in a party stronghold is unlikely to be repeated, because it is difficult for anti-government forces to unite.

ZOiS Spotlight 11/2018

Russia’s independent sociology under pressure

by Viktor Voronkov 28/03/2018

There is a dominant idea in Russia that sociology ought to serve the state. For researchers and institutions that find themselves outside the box, this causes serious problems. In recent years, the pressure on independent sociology has increased.

ZOiS Spotlight 10/2018

The NATO air strikes in Serbia’s memory politics

by Elisa Satjukow 21/03/2018

The Russian public’s social expectations are rarely high, and people often get what they expect: not much. But Russia’s upcoming presidential election and the start of a new political cycle offer an opportunity to reconsider whether there is a widespread desire for change and what that means.

ZOiS Spotlight 9/2018

Do Russians want change?

by Andrei Kolesnikov Denis Volkov 14/03/2018

The Russian public’s social expectations are rarely high, and people often get what they expect: not much. But Russia’s upcoming presidential election and the start of a new political cycle offer an opportunity to reconsider whether there is a widespread desire for change and what that means.

ZOiS Spotlight 8/2018

Central Asia and Russia’s presidential election

by Ann-Sophie Gast 07/03/2018

In less than two weeks, a presidential election takes place in Russia. However, in Central Asia the public doesn’t seem to care much—partly because the election is perceived as a foregone conclusion and partly because of censorship. But the lack of interest also reflects Russia’s slowly decreasing importance for the region.

ZOiS Spotlight 7/2018

Brest-Litovsk: A Peace Deal in Wartime

by Nikolaus Katzer 28/02/2018

On 31 January 2018, the head of Uzbekistan’s National Security Service (SNB), Rustam Inoyatov, was permitted to resign from office – at least, that’s the official version. Dissidents and human rights activists are overjoyed. Has this removed the final obstacle to the country’s liberalisation?

ZOiS Spotlight 6/2018

Unloved Soviet reformers and the Russian longing for stability

by Jochen Krüger 21/02/2018

On 25 February 1956, the First Secretary of the CPSU gave his famous “Secret Speech” – a key moment in the “Thaw”. In today’s Russia, however, reform figures like Nikita Khrushchev have a poor image. Instead, stability and order are rated highly by the public – a situation that Vladimir Putin is adept at exploiting for his own purposes.

ZOiS Spotlight 5/2018

All obstacles removed?

by Beate Eschment 14/02/2018

On 31 January 2018, the head of Uzbekistan’s National Security Service (SNB), Rustam Inoyatov, was permitted to resign from office – at least, that’s the official version. Dissidents and human rights activists are overjoyed. Has this removed the final obstacle to the country’s liberalisation?

ZOiS Spotlight 4/2018

Political spaces of Russian opposition

by Tatiana Golova 07/02/2018

Regional networking is an outstanding feature of Alexei Navalny’s protest campaign. Visible, well-known, and publicly accessible urban areas are important for the construction of local protest spaces. But the tightening of the legislation on public assemblies has made it increasingly difficult to use these areas.

ZOiS Spotlight 3/2018

Protests and political coalitions in Ukraine

by Olga Onuch 31/01/2018

Recent protests in Ukraine are part of a long evolution of contemporary activism that can be traced back to the early twentieth century. One wrong move by Kyiv that overestimates protesters’ levels of political patience could turn these small demonstrations into a moment of mass mobilisation.

ZOiS Spotlight 2/2018

Migration and a new patriotism in Armenia

by Tsypylma Darieva 24/01/2018

There are an estimated 8 million ethnic Armenians around the world. Only up to 3 million of them, however, live in Armenia. In October 2017, the Armenian minister of diaspora, announced that 2018 had been designated the year of repatriation for the Republic of Armenia and appealed to ethnic Armenians living abroad to return to the ancestral homeland.

Meet the Author | Nadja Douglas

In her book Public Control of Armed Forces in the Russian Federation (2017), Nadja Douglas turns the spotlight on civil-military relations in Russia. She spoke to numerous civil society activists who keep a watchful eye on Russia’s resurgent military apparatus and attempt to exert a measure of control at various levels.

ZOiS Spotlight 1/2018

Deconstruction of justice in Poland?

by Tina de Vries 17/01/2018

On 20 December last year, the European Union took action to protect the rule of law in Europe and initiated an infringement procedure against Poland in response to its judicial reforms, on the grounds that the relevant legislation poses a clear risk of a breach of the rule of law.

Meet the Author | Ivan Krastev

In a provocative essay, Ivan Krastev reflects on the future of the European Union and the danger of its disintegration. Concerned with the political consequences of the refugee crisis, Brexit and the rise of far-right parties, he also tries to explain the divide between the EU's Eastern and Western member states.

Release

Das Jahr 2017 stand im Zeichen der offiziellen Eröffnung des ZOiS mit einem feierlichen Festakt und der ersten Jahreskonferenz. Darüber hinaus beantworten die wissenschaftlichen Mitarbeiter*innen Fragen zur Wahl ihrer Projektthemen, zu den spannendsten Momenten auf Forschungsreisen und zur überraschendsten Erkenntnis des Jahres.

ZOiS Spotlight 36/2017

Are two Christmases better than one?

by Regina Elsner 20/12/2017

This year, for the first time in Ukraine, the West’s Christmas Day on 25 December will be a public holiday, alongside the Orthodox Christmas on 7 January. With its decision, the Ukrainian Parliament shows how Christian festivals – as well as national holidays – can be used for political ends.

ZOiS Spotlight 35/2017

A challenge of diverging interests

by Nadja Douglas 13/12/2017

The Transdniestrian conflict is regarded as the least intricate of the protracted regional conflicts in the post-Soviet space. The latest round of 5+2 talks has even seen substantial progress. Yet, statements by the parties to the conflict cast doubt on the enthusiasm generated by international observers.

ZOiS Spotlight 34/2017

Finland’s relationship with Russia

by Markku Kivinen 06/12/2017

A hundred years ago, the parliament in Helsinki declared Finland’s independence from Soviet Russia. Since World War II, the concept of neutrality has been crucial to Finnish foreign policy. That remains true in the post–Cold War security architecture, which is still under construction.

ZOiS Spotlight 33/2017

No fuss, no glory

by Julia Langbein 29/11/2017

The Eastern Partnership summit that took place in Brussels on 24 November between most leaders of the European Union and their Eastern partners did not produce much noise, as most of the summit’s results were unsurprising. However, a series of deliverables can serve as a useful roadmap.

ZOiS Spotlight 32/2017

Lev Gudkov and the Levada Centre

by Alexander Libman 22/11/2017

On 26 November, sociologist Lev Gudkov receives the Lev Kopelev Prize for peace and human rights. He directs the research organisation Levada Centre that has been declared a ‘foreign agent’ in 2016. Although the status has not harmed Levada’s activities, it creates concern for the future.

ZOiS Report 3/2017

Terra Incognita: The public mood in Crimea

by Gwendolyn Sasse 16/11/2017

Since the incorporation of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol as subjects of the Russian Federation in March 2014 Crimea has, by and large, become terra incognita. The ZOiS survey conducted in Crimea (March-May 2017) provides a rare glimpse into the public mood in the region after its annexation by Russia.

ZOiS Spotlight 31/2017

‘Dear Ivan Denisovich...’

by Nina Frieß 15/11/2017

On 18 November, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s famous novel ‘One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich’ turns fifty-five. The novel describes a day in the life of an ordinary prisoner in a Soviet labour camp, from wake-up call to lights out. The text became a sensation and remains relevant to this day.

ZOiS Spotlight 30/2017

The early run-up to the Russian election

by Julian Waller 08/11/2017

Vladimir Putin is in a commanding position to win Russia’s 2018 presidential election, despite having not yet formally launched his campaign for a fourth term. However, much of the debate in the media seems to reflect genuine uncertainty inside the regime over how to conduct this election.

ZOiS Spotlight 29/2017

Kyrgyzstan’s presidential election

by Beate Eschment 01/11/2017

For the first time in Central Asia’s ‘island of democracy’, a president chosen by the people in accordance with the constitution is set to hand over power to an equally democratically elected successor. But the recent campaign has also placed worrying strains on Kyrgyzstan’s immediate future.

ZOiS Spotlight 28/2017

A loss of control and the politics of memory

by Regina Elsner 25/10/2017

The film ‘Matilda’, about a romance involving Tsar Nicholas II, has been causing controversy in Russia for months. Escalating violence has brought church and state into a confrontation with consequences for their common policies, which for years have been fostering a culture of aggravation and denunciation.

ZOiS Spotlight 27/2017

Kazakhstan on the map of Russian literature

by Nina Frieß 18/10/2017

Russian-language literature is not only produced in Russia. While Moscow’s propaganda efforts are aimed at developing a cultural concept for the entire post-Soviet space, some Kazakhstani authors reject this chauvinistic interpretation. They are looking for their own voices beyond Russia’s monopoly.

ZOiS Spotlight 26/2017

Russian history and realities in 2017

by Jan C. Behrends 11/10/2017

One hundred years after Russia’s socialist revolution, Red October is not part of the country’s great historical narrative for President Vladimir Putin. Instead of rupture, Putin advocates continuity. How, then, can Moscow celebrate the centenary of an event that is seen as an embarrassment?

ZOiS Spotlight 25/2017

Russian Germans after the Bundestag election

by Tatiana Golova 05/10/2017

German mass media discussed the connections between the Russian Germans and the AfD long before the federal election. Now, two ethnic German resettlers from the former Soviet Union are in the Bundestag as members of the new populist right-wing party. Has the AfD become the party for Russian Germans?

ZOiS Spotlight 24/2017

Postscript to Zapad-2017

by Nadja Douglas 27/09/2017

Much has been written about the recent joint Russian-Belarusian military exercise. While Western analysts have evoked various threat scenarios, which clearly reflects the worsening Russia-NATO relations, reactions within Belarus itself, however, received less attention.

ZOiS Spotlight 23/2017

Managing regional elections in Russia

by Tomila Lankina 20/09/2017

On 10 September, elections to provincial assemblies, municipal councils, and regional executives were held in some Russian regions. As expected, most pro-Kremlin United Russia party candidates claimed victory. Can the ballots be seen as a dress rehearsal for the March 2018 presidential election?

ZOiS Spotlight 22/2017

A UN Mission for Ukraine’s Donbas?

by Gwendolyn Sasse 13/09/2017

On 5 September, Russia caused surprise by proposing a UN peacekeeping mission for the Donbas. Reactions by many Western and Ukrainian officials were cautious given previous fruitless attempts to negotiate with Vladimir Putin. However, there are good reasons to take the proposal seriously.

ZOiS Spotlight 21/2017

Is democratic rhetoric in Russia just a decoration?

by Anna Litvinenko 06/09/2017

In Russia, journalists and political elites still use democratic rhetoric, despite the country’s authoritarian tendencies. This discourse is not simply a trick of the regime but is a legacy from Russia’s period of democratic transition.

ZOiS Spotlight 20/2017

A cautious look back

by Nina Frieß 26/07/2017

The year 1937 with its NKVD Order No. 00447 was the sad climax of Stalin’s Great Purge, which cost approximately 700,000 lives. A new Russian survey shows once again that Russian society is deeply divided on questions of remembrance, but the findings also reveal a few surprises.

ZOiS Spotlight 19/2017

The populists’ prospects in the Czech election

by Pavla Homolová 19/07/2017

For the first time in the modern parliament’s history, the Czech Republic may turn neither to the centre-left ČSSD nor to the centre-right ODS, but to the populist ANO. That party is led by the businessman Andrej Babiš, who is the second-richest Czech and wants to manage the state as a company.

ZOiS Spotlight 18/2017

The G20 and Eastern Europe: more than a handshake?

by Gwendolyn Sasse 12/07/2017

Expectations for the meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin on 7 July and the G20 summit in Hamburg had been high. However, three developments before and after the summit have a more direct bearing on the relations between Russia and the West and on the war in Ukraine.

ZOiS Spotlight 17/2017

Emergency volunteers

by Hannah Heyenn 05/07/2017

During the 2015 refugee crisis, the Hungarian government stoked racist sentiments among the population. This strategy seemed to be effective with most people. However, an unprecedented number of Hungarians also helped the refugees. Who were those people and why did they decide to help?

ZOiS Spotlight 16/2017

The illusion of terrorism in Crimea

by Dominique Arel 28/06/2017

On 19 June, the European Union renewed for another year the sanctions it imposed after the annexation of Crimea. In its original resolution on 13 March 2014, the European Parliament did not mince its words, condemning Russia’s ‘act of aggression in invading Crimea’.

ZOiS Spotlight 15/2017

Russia’s response to football hooliganism

by Julia Glathe 21/06/2017

On 17 June, the FIFA Confed Cup started in Russia, essentially the dress rehearsal for the men’s FIFA World Cup. Against the background of crowd troubles during the European Championship in 2016, the question arises of whether Russian hooligans will turn the event into a ‘festival of violence’.

ZOiS Spotlight 14/2017

Ambition versus Achievement

by Neil MacFarlane 14/06/2017

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) brings together four Central Asian states – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan – with Russia and China and, as of the SCO’s last summit on 8–9 June 2017, India and Pakistan. Its remit is broad, the practical achievements modest.

ZOiS Spotlight 13/2017

New hope in Ukraine conflict?

by Gwendolyn Sasse 07/06/2017

On 7 June 2017 another round of negotiations about the implementation of the Minsk II Agreement of September 2015 got under way in Minsk at the level of the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG) under the auspices of the OSCE. Is an end of the stalemate Eastern Ukraine in sight?

Meet the Author | Alexandr Osipian

Historian Alexandr Osipian examines how historical myths are used in Russian media coverage and propaganda to construct enemy images in the Ukraine crisis. He focuses on the cultural memory of World War II and on local identities in the Donbas region.

ZOiS Spotlight 12/2017

Macron's Russia policy

by David Cadier 31/05/2017

On 27 May 1997, the NATO-Russia Founding Act was signed. Against the backdrop of a drastically changed overall political climate, the question may be raised to what extent this international agreement still bears relevance for the relations between NATO and Russia.

ZOiS Report 2/2017

The Donbas – Two parts, or still one?

by Gwendolyn Sasse 30/05/2017

A ZOiS survey conducted in the Donbas in December 2016 provides insights into life and attitudes across the frontline between the Kyiv-controlled Donbas and the occupied territories, the self-declared Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) and the Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR).

ZOiS Spotlight 11/2017

Is the NATO-Russia Founding Act still relevant?

by Nadja Douglas 24/05/2017

On 27 May 1997, the NATO-Russia Founding Act was signed. Against the backdrop of a drastically changed overall political climate, the question may be raised to what extent this international agreement still bears relevance for the relations between NATO and Russia.

ZOiS Spotlight 10/2017

An incomplete rainbow

by Robert Deam Tobin 17/05/2017

Under the slogan 'Celebrate Diversity' Ukraine hosted the Eurovision Song Contest 2017. The tensions surrounding this year’s competition revealed the conflicting forces within the country – also when it comes to the rights of homosexuals.

ZOiS Spotlight 9/2017

The real populist challenge from insiders in Europe’s East

by Cas Mudde 10/05/2017

After a lacklustre performance by Geert Wilders, a resounding defeat for Marine Le Pen in France, and an internally divided Alternative for Germany (AfD), journalists and experts will soon pronounce the end of populism. And they will be wrong again.

Meet the Author | Nina Frieß

In her dissertation, Nina Frieß examines contemporary forms of memory of Stalin-era repression, in particular the Soviet labour camps known as the Gulag. Her research focuses on three media productions based on classics of labour camp literature.

ZOiS Spotlight 8/2017

Enraged young Russians?

by Félix Krawatzek 03/05/2017

After a lacklustre performance by Geert Wilders, a resounding defeat for Marine Le Pen in France, and an internally divided Alternative for Germany (AfD), journalists and experts will soon pronounce the end of populism. And they will be wrong again.

ZOiS Spotlight 7/2017

Armenia after the elections

by Nadja Douglas 26/04/2017

More than twenty-five years after gaining independence, Armenia is yet to undergo a democratically instigated change of power. The parliamentary election of 2 April 2017 was no exception in this regard. According to the international NGO Freedom House, Armenia is a ‘semi-consolidated authoritarian regime’.

ZOiS Spotlight 6/2017

It’s Pushkin’s fault

by Nina Frieß 19/04/2017

In March 2017, the author Zakhar Prilepin presented his new book. At about the same time, a broader audience learned that since autumn 2016 he had held the position of major in a voluntary battalion in the so-called People’s Republic of Donetsk. Asked what motivated him to join the fighters, ‘I answer seriously: Pushkin’.

ZOiS Spotlight 5/2017

East European Migrants

by Tatiana Golova 12/04/2017

Immigrants from the (post-)Soviet space, who are often reduced to the largest group of ethnic Germans from Russia (Russlanddeutsche) or even spoken of simply as Russians, have repeatedly been exposed to suspicions. One event that triggered this was the Lisa case, which rapidly became a transnational issue.

ZOiS Spotlight 4/2017

Romanian Protests

by Grigore Pop-Eleches 05/04/2017

In January and February 2017 Romania witnessed the largest popular protest in its history. While the protests were widely seen as a rare piece of good news in an era of liberal retrenchment, their implications for Romanian democracy and rule of law are more complicated.

ZOiS Spotlight 3/2017

Moldovan President Dodon and the Russian role model

by Nadja Douglas 29/03/2017

The Republic of Moldova currently faces a deep political, if not geostrategic, rift. This becomes apparent when looking at the state leadership: a pro-European, liberal, but fairly discredited government on the one hand and a pro-Russian, conservative, but fairly obscure president on the other.

ZOiS Report 1/2017

The Displaced Ukrainians: Who are they, and what do they think?

by Gwendolyn Sasse 23/03/2017

A survey conducted by ZOiS in November and December 2016 provides the first comparative data on the attitudes and identities of the people displaced by the war in Eastern Ukraine both within Ukraine and to Russia.

ZOiS Spotlight 2/2017

Russia’s tentative approach to the revolutionary year of 1917

by Nina Frieß 22/03/2017

Russia’s annexation of Crimea three years ago quickly created facts on the ground. The anniversary of the 2014 events brings into focus how the discourse surrounding them has evolved. The narrative of Crimea’s “rightful place” in Russia is no longer limited to Russian circles.

Meet the Author | Samuel Charap

Together with Timothy J. Colton, Samuel Charap has just published "Everyone Loses. The Ukraine Crisis and the Ruinous Contest for Post-Soviet Eurasia". In the first interview in our series "Meet the Author" he answers five questions about the new book.

ZOiS Spotlight 1/2017

The Annexation of Crimea in 2014

by Gwendolyn Sasse 15/03/2017

Russia’s annexation of Crimea three years ago quickly created facts on the ground. The anniversary of the 2014 events brings into focus how the discourse surrounding them has evolved. The narrative of Crimea’s “rightful place” in Russia is no longer limited to Russian circles.

The Political and Cultural Fate of Karabakh Armenians in Armenia

Displaced Ukrainian Youth: Displaced Futures?

ZOiS Annual Report 2023

Online Lives between Germany and Russia

Warmth, Laughter, and the Smell of Buns: Perceptions of Home among Forced Migrants from Ukraine

Kazakhstan’s Ukrainians: Worried, But Neutral?

Rebuilding Amid Uncertainty: Reconstruction in Ukrainian Cities

The War in Ukraine and Latvia’s Russian-speaking Community

Osteuropaforschung in der Verantwortung: Forschungsethik während Russlands Krieg gegen die Ukraine

Ukraine’s Recovery and EU Accession: The Importance of Inclusive Participation

Hungarian Diplomacy: Defying Accepted Norms

Is There a Russian Church in Ukraine?

‘When it comes to the West’s efforts to deter Russia, the story is one of failure’

Old Fears and New Threats: Insecurity and Societal Cohesion in Russia’s Neighbourhood

The Sad Fate of Yandex: From Independent Tech Startup to Kremlin Propaganda Tool

The Role of Popular Culture in Ukraine’s War Effort

Under the Pretence of Tradition: Media Repression in Kyrgyzstan

Exploring the Uncertainty of Ukrainian Refugees

Migration, Tradition and Change in Georgia

Children’s Literature Under Pressure

Education Across Borders: Ukrainian Refugees’ Perceptions of German Schools

The Lives and Hopes of Crimean Tatars after the 2014 Annexation

New Arctic Realities: Between Conflicting Interests and Avenues for Cooperation

Turkey: A New Hub for Migration from Russia

Dealing with the Russian Aggression against Ukraine through Art

Belarus’s Parliamentary ‘Elections’ Mark the Entrenchment of Lukashenka’s Authoritarian Regime

‘The regional governors in Russia are not the victims of the regime’

Russophone Authors Two Years After Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion of Ukraine

From War Zone to Conflict Region: Ukrainian Refugees in Transnistria

Geographic Differences in Ukrainian Refugees’ European Experiences

Climate Change and Water Security in Central Asia

Evacuation Decisions: Lessons from Russia’s War against Ukraine

State Dominance and its Discontents among Azerbaijani Youth

‘The Focus On Putin Has Narrowed The Perspective’

Why Nagorno-Karabakh Has Been Sacrificed and Why This Could Also Be an Opportunity

The Uncertain Education of Ukrainian Refugee Children

Permanent Crisis Mode: Why Russia’s Economy Has Been So Resilient against Sanctions

Brussels’ Approach towards Hungary and Poland amidst the War against Ukraine

‘In Ukraine and Russia, surrogacy is seen as work’

The Pro-war Mobilisation of Germany’s Russian-speaking Communities

What Young Georgians Think About Their Government

Russian Migrants in Georgia and Germany: Activism in the Context of Russia’s War against Ukraine

Young Poles’ Political Preferences: A Fresh Wind for the Upcoming Election?

‘Diasporic engagement with the homeland remains pluralist, ambiguous, and de-centralised’

Lived Geopolitics: Grain Logistics Between the War and the Border

Flexible Solidarity: Polish and Hungarian Responses to Forced Migration

‘Change can happen only if domestic political forces and civic associations become strong enough’

ZOiS Annual Report 2022

The Economic Effects of Russia’s War on Ukraine’s Internally Displaced Women

Reimagining Care in Belarusian Protest Art

Western Assets in Russia: Navigating a Challenging Landscape

China in Central Europe: Out of Steam?

A Shapeshifting China in Central Asia

The Significance of the Lachin Corridor in the Nagorno-Karabakh Conflict

Blind Spots in German Historical Awareness: Occupied Ukraine in the Second World War

Russians in the South Caucasus: Political Attitudes and the War in Ukraine

Ukrainian Activists in Germany: Feeling Positive Despite Daily Challenges

Russia’s Ethnic Minorities in the Struggle against Cultural Imperialism

'The EU is trying to establish asylum norms in non-EU countries so that there are fewer refugees living in the EU itself.'

Education and Displacement: Ukrainian Families in Germany

China’s Peace Plan for Ukraine: Responsible Leadership?

The International Grain Trade and the War

The Puzzle of Ukrainian Resilience: Hidden Factors and Potential Risks

Kosovo and Serbia: Teetering on the Brink of Escalation

Ukraine: Humour as a Weapon of War

The Major Powers of the Global South and the War Against Ukraine

Hungary’s Pragmatism: Courting Russia, Pleasing the EU

'There are 44 Million Zelenskys'

Between Wishful Thinking and Fatalism: The Role of Elite Divisions in Autocracies

High but Fluid Support for European Integration in Poland

Belarus’s Role in Russia’s War Against Ukraine

Poesie und Protest. Der „Blutige Januar“ in der zeitgenössischen Dichtung Kasachstans

The Violence in Kyrgyz Gold

'States put a lot of time and effort into shaping young people’s values’

'The war did not begin only in February 2022'

Exploring the Diversity of Georgia’s Post-Soviet Left

The Role of Think Tanks in Russian Foreign Policy

Education Under Fire: The Ukrainian School System Under Occupation

Young Poles in Times of Dramatic Change: Refugees, Identity and Social Engagement

ZOiS Annual Report 2021