End the sickness of war – NOW!

Who should we be listening to? While Nato’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg based on a fictional enemy, is pleading for continued increased founding for military and militarisation another General Secretary speaks of the importance to put disagreements aside so we all side by side can fight against a real threat to humanity – the corona virus.

On March, 23 United Nation’s Secretary General António Guterres held a speech where he asked for an immediate global cease fire in all corners of the world to give everyone a real chance to fight the corona virus.

He talked about the reality where the virus hit us all. It does not care neither about ethnicity or nationality nor faction or faith; “The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war.”

Around the world we see a severely cut healthcare system that is trying to deal with more and more people getting ill with COVID-19. Beds, equipment and personnel are missing to treat everyone. In this chaos, Guterres reminds us of something we must never forget; In war ravaged countries have the whole health systems collapsed and health professionals, already few in number, have often been targeted.

Recently, we have also started to hear warnings about what will happen when the corona virus takes an iron grip on overcrowded refugee camps around the world. Guterres states that refugees and others displaced by violent conflict are doubly vulnerable. He calls to;

“End the sickness of war… Pull back from hostilities. Put aside mistrust and animosity. Silence the guns; stop the artillery: end the airstrikes. This is crucial… To help create corridors for life saving aid. To open precious windows of diplomacy. To bring hope to places among the most vulnerable to COVID-19.”

We would like to add that also all preparations for war must be stopped immediately and we must start investing in the future of humanity..

We say

• Stop Defender 20, Aurora 20 and other large scale military exercises in Europe and elsewhere
• End rearmament and invest in peace, welfare, health and the environment

Activists for peace will every day choose the solidarity that the UN Secretary General raises by calling for an immediate global cease fire; “That is what our human family needs, now more than ever”.

If you agree, sign our call.

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Antonio Guterres whole speech follows:

Our world faces a common enemy: COVID-19.

The virus does not care about nationality or ethnicity, faction or faith. It attacks all, relentlessly.

Meanwhile, armed conflict rages on around the world.

The most vulnerable — women and children, people with disabilities, the marginalized and the displaced — pay the highest price.

They are also at the highest risk of suffering devastating losses from COVID-19.

Let’s not forget that in war-ravaged countries, health systems have collapsed.

Health professionals, already few in number, have often been targeted.

Refugees and others displaced by violent conflict are doubly vulnerable.

The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war.

That is why today, I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world.

It is time to put armed conflict on lockdown and focus together on the true fight of our lives.

To warring parties, I say:

Pull back from hostilities.

Put aside mistrust and animosity.

Silence the guns; stop the artillery; end the airstrikes.

This is crucial…

To help create corridors for life-saving aid.

To open precious windows for diplomacy.

To bring hope to places among the most vulnerable to COVID-19.

Let us take inspiration from coalitions and dialogue slowly taking shape among rival parties in some parts to enable joint approaches to COVID-19. But we need much more.

End the sickness of war and fight the disease that is ravaging our world.

It starts by stopping the fighting everywhere. Now.

That is what our human family needs, now more than ever.

Source

Guterras, Antonio: “The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of the war”. March, 23 2020, United Nations Coronavirus Communications Team.

Listen to the call:

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In the midst of coronavirus pandemic, they want money for games – Join over a thousand from all over the world to stop them

Our call to cancel all military exercises in Europe and the world after corona outbreak

A call to discontinue all large scale military exercise in Europe and the world after corona outbreak has collected over a thousand signatures. Signatories come from all over the world; Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. People from every continent have come together and speak up against the present policies with large scale exercises bringing together tens of thousands of soldiers from different countries as part of a drastic increase in military expenditure.

EUCOM’s statement on Defender Europe 20 from March, 16

Defender Europe 20 is downsized, but some exercises are unfortunately still on. For instance, EUCOM has expressed that “as part of a modified Allied Spirit exercise, they expect an armored brigade combat team already deployed to Europe to conduct gunnery and other combined training together with Allies”. In parallel, we also hear statements that they already have “exercised the Army’s ability to coordinate large scale movements with Allies and partner”. They try to tell a story of success as they, since January, have been moving soldiers and equipment from the United States and equipment from prepositioned stocks in Europe to fulfil the goal of Defender Europe 20; “to build strategic readiness by deploying a combat credible force to Europe in support of NATO and the U.S. National Defense Strategy”. In practice, soldiers and equipment are moved to the east, closer to the Russian border.

Frankfurter Allgemeine on March, 19

Nato’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has confirmed the readiness of the Alliance even though the corona virus tests the resilience of the allies “to the limit”; “our forces remains ready and our work continues”. This includes the multinational combat allies stationed in the Baltic States to conduct airspace surveillance and also the naval allies and all missions from Afghanistan to Kosovo. He also expressed that exercises had to be slowed down or shortened, especially the large maneuver Defender Europe 20, but not discontinued.

It is clear that neither EUCOM nor Nato has any intention to stop or even decrease their presence in Europe. EUCOM explicitly state that changes are anticipated to the deployment timelines of soldiers already in Europe and redeployment of equipment today stationed in the United States. Schedules for future troop rotations in support of Atlantic Resolve are also likely to be adjusted at the same time as efforts are put into “maximizing efforts to advance alliances and partnerships”. Nato’s Stoltenberg also speaks about exercises slowed down or shortened, not cancelled.

USNI News on March, 7

Regarding other large scale military exercise such as Aurora 20 in Sweden and RIMPAC in the Pacific, there are no reports that any changes have been made. These military exercises are planned to be larger and more complex than ever before and also include more participants.

In this context, Nato’s Stoltenberg has acknowledged his main concern. He is worried that member states should decrease their military budgets due to the current corona crisis which has “serious economic impacts” on state budgets. Stoltenberg expects that allies will stick to the goal of “investing more in security” in order to protect themselves in an unsecure world. He says that the military threat has not changed. He prefers fictitious enemies instead of real threats to Europe and the world such as coronavirus pandemic and climate change which destroys whole ecosystems.

We say

• Stop Defender 20, Aurora 20 and other large scale military exercises in Europe and elsewhere
• End rearmament and invest in peace, welfare, health and the environment

No more money should be given for games. The money should go to the people by investments in health, welfare, peace and the environment.

If you agree, join over a thousand from all over the world to end rearmament and invest in peace, welfare, health and the environment. Don’t forget to spread the word.

Activists for peace

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References

• EUCOM: “Exercise Defender-Europe 20 Update (March 16)“. March, 16 2020. EUCOM.
• Gutschker, Thomas: NATO-CHEF STOLTENBERG: Coronavirus testet Widerstandskraft „bis an die Grenze“ (In German. Title in English: NATO CHIEF STOLTENBERG: Coronavirus tests resilience ”to the limit”). 19 March 2020, Frankfurter Allgemeine.
• Mahadzir, Dzirhan: PACFLEET Commander: RIMPAC 2020 Will Be More Complex, Feature More Countries. 6 March 2020 and lasted updated 7 March 2020, USNI News.
• Olsson, Jonas: Corona påverkar flera stora militärövningar i Europa (In Swedish. Title in English: Corona affects several large scale military exercies in Europe). Corona 12 March 2020 and last updated 13 March 2020, SVT Nyheter Utrikes.
• US Army Europe: “Exercise Defender-Europe 20 UPDATE“. March, 16 2020. US Army Europe.
• Vandiver, John: “Coronavirus fears force Pentagon to curtail large Defender-Europe 20 exercise“. March, 6 2020, Stars and Stripes.

 

This is how the military should be used – Cancel all military exercises and end rearmament to make use of the resources for humanity

Yesterday, March 17, German news reported that the German capital Berlin ”has approved plans ahead of a expected spike in corona or COVID-19 infections”. It is planned to make use of the large Berlin Messe trade fair exhibitions grounds in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district; a facility that every year, for instance, hosts the world’s largest farmer trade fair in late January. The plan is that the Berlin Messe will house up to 1 000 patients and both relatively minor corona virus cases as well as emergency respiratory patients will be treated.

Berlin Health Senator Dilek Kalayci said that ”This measure complements the well positioned Berlin hospital system to deal with possible bottlenecks” at the same time as existing hospitals in Berlin will expand their capacity to treat patients requiring ventilation in intensive care.

In parallel, hospitals in Berlin are beginning to postpone scheduled non acute surgeries in order to prepare the treatment of more patients tested positive for the corona virus.

Perhaps the most interesting part here is that German media further reports that the German armed forces, the Bundeswehr, will be drafted to help create the desired facility. We are convinced that this is how the military can and should be used and especially during crises. This time it is definitely something that poses a threat to citizens´ lives. That is the lives that any armed forces are allocated to protect.

In a time when peoples’ movements are restricted, the same should also apply for the military. But, all resources including military resources should also be put to use for humanity without risk of harm to civil society. We are looking forward to learn how this is done as military exercises are discontinued in favour of dealing with a real threat.

We are already aware of further such examples in, for instance, Norway and Sweden, but also in the United States. We plan to publish updates on the subject.

Stay tuned. Don’t forget to support our call and ask others to do the same.

Background

On Tuesday, March 17, Berlin counted 332 of more than 7 500 cases of corona across Germany. The number of corona infected patients increased with 1 500 cases from the day before, Monday. So far 20 have not survived the pandemic virus infection and 500 are hospitalised.

During the next few months, German officials are expecting a much higher volume that will require hospital treatment after being tested positive for the corona virus. To, with the help of the German armed forces Bundeswehr, make use of the large exhibition hall in Berlin is one measure to try to contain the pandemic and ensure that the country’s health sector can cope.

Other measures includes that ”schools have been shut across most of the country, border controls have been tightened and new restrictions put on public and social spaces. Companies are being urged to offer employees remote work”.

However, some parts of the large-scale military exercise Defender Europe 20, i.e. the largest military exercise in 25 years in Europe, seems to still be on. Bundeswehr, which is responsible for host nation support during Defender Europe 20, on Monday, March, 16 said that they already had completed the major maneuvers and EUCOM expressed something similar in an update on Defender Europe 20. At the same time; Italy, a nation severely affected by the corona virus, officially withdrew their participation in the exercise. The United States has said that they are significantly reducing their participation after the Secretary of Defence’s travel bans for American soldiers and personnel went into force on Monday, but they also say “We anticipate the armored brigade combat team already deployed to Europe will conduct gunnery and other combined training events with Allies as part of a modified Allied Spirit exercise“.

Both American soldiers in Europe and senior military officials from at least two European countries who recently attended an annual NATO-meeting at an American military base in Wiesbaden, Germany as well as staff at the NATO headquarter in Brussels have been tested positive for the corona virus. In Europe, in the United states and around the world, cases of corona infected solders are reported. These soldiers and those they have spent time together with are put in quarantine, but some are still expected to conduct military exercises in Europe and elsewhere during the ongoing pandemic.

References

• Dolle, Andre: Wegen Corona: Bundeswehr beendet Nato-Übung Defender (In German). March, 16 2020, Braunschweiger Zeitung.
• Deutsche Welle: Berlin to build up 1,000 bed corona virus hospital. March, 17 2020,
• Deutsche Welle: Germany corona virus threat raised to “high” alert. March, 17 2020, Deutsche Welle.
• EUCOM: “Exercise Defender-Europe 20 Update (March 16)“. March, 16 2020. EUCOM.

Write to make a change – Join in to call for discontinuation for all military exercises

During last weekend, Activists for peace submitted a text where we call for discontinuation of all military exercises in Europe in the wake of the corona outbreak. It was sent to Swedish newspapers all over the country and today this text began to be published.

We do this since we want to alert people to what is going on and to create discussion, build opinion and initiate reactions. Of course, we also want to spread the word to get people to support our call.

This time the text was however written before we published our call where we also, completely reasonable, extended it to cover the whole world. We are working hard to keep us updated and to gather relevant information so that we are able to write more texts. We write texts to update here and to publish on both on our English blog, on our Swedish blog and on our Facebook-page. We are also writing more opinion pieces and letters to the editor.

You can do the same.

We read the comments to this call and we see a lot of potential.

We would like everyone to write a text and submit it for publication somewhere.

Nobody can do everything, but everyone can do something.

If you decide to write a text, please send a copy to us. Send it to aktivisterforfred@gmail.com

You can also send us texts that you have already authored.

All texts can discuss and motivate why we need to discontinue all military exercises and stop rearmament wherever it occurs. They can also tell everyone why we should invest in peace, welfare, health and the environment.

We look forward to hear from you.

Activists for peace

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Activists for peace’s text has so far (March, 16 2020) been published by:

Local newspaper Kinda-Posten – Vimmerby Tidning

Local newspaper Kristianstadsbladet

Local newspaper Västerviks Tidning

 

Defender Europe 20 reduced in size and scope, but much more is urgently needed

All resources are needed for humanity, not for war games. Remember to support our call to cancel all military exercises in Europe and the world in the wake of the corona virus outbreak. To sign, follow this link. Don’t forget to share the call.

 

EUCOM’s statement on Defender Europe 20 from March, 16.

Today March, 16 EUCOM (The United States European Command) announced that Defender Europe 20 is, due to the outbreak of the corona virus and recent guidelines by the Secretary of Defense, modified in size and scope.

Military exercises linked to Defender Europe 20 are discontinued and this includes Dynamic Front, Joint Warfighting Assessment, Saber Strike (the Baltic States) and Swift Response, which involved paratroops dropping into the Republic of Georgia and the Baltics.

EUCOM however also indicates that some exercises still are on. As part of a modified Allied Spirit exercise, they expect that an armor brigade combat team already deployed to Europe will conduct gunnery and other combined training together with Allies.

News on Defender Europe 20 from Pentagon’s Stars and Stripes.

From Friday March, 13 all movement of personnel and equipment from the United States to Europe ceased. EUCOM states that ”the health, safety and readiness of our military, civilians, and family members is our primary concern” and that ”forces already deployed to Europe for other linked exercises will return to the United States”.

The purpose of Defender Europe 2020 is expressed as ”to build strategic readiness by deploying a combat credible force to Europe in support of NATO and the U.S. National Defense Strategy”. All movement of soldiers and material from the United States to Europe and within Europe already conducted is in this context proclaimed to have ”exercised the Army’s ability to coordinate large scale movements with Allies and partners”. EUCOM state that changes are anticipated to the deployment timelines of soldiers already in Europe and redeployment of equipment today stationed in the United States. Schedules for future troops rotations in support of Atlantic Resolve are also likely to be adjusted at the same time as they are now ”maximizing their efforts to advance their alliances and partnerships”.

Our call to cancel all military exercises in Europe and the world after corona outbreak

We welcome the decision to reduce Defender Europe 20 since it includes discontinuation of related exercises. However, we see an urgent need for much more to be done.

Already deployed American soldiers are said to be on their way back to the United States at the same time as other American soldiers stationed in Europe as part of, for instance, Atlantic Resolve is not mentioned more than that their rotation is likely to be adjusted. Atlantic Resolve is explicit to have a purpose to “deter Russian aggression in Europe” and it’s obvious that the United States is planning to further militarize Europe.

This is not what is needed in these difficult times. As countries around the world appeal to their citizens to return to their home countries, the American soldiers which are deployed based on an imaginary threat as opposed to the corona virus is allowed to, together with certain other deployed soldiers, stay in Europe and they are also planned to increase in the future. Some of the deployed soldiers are even expected to conduct military training in the midst of the corona virus outbreak. This is incorrect use of resources.

In parallel, preparations for Aurora 20 is continuing according to plan. Aurora 20 – the largest military exercise in years which also means a debut for the American Patriot system in Sweden – is due to take place in Sweden May, 11 to June, 7. This military exercise is scheduled to start in less the two months and preparations already include transport of equipment and soldiers to Sweden. NATO has, for example, a large military base in Norway and even if Norway recently closed its border, the border is still open to both Sweden and Finland at the same time as Sweden’s borders are fully open.

In a time when people’s mobility is reduced, the military’s mobility should not be an exception. At the same time, all military resources should be put to work for humanity by combating the corona virus, not some imaginary enemy. The best way to achieve this is to discontinue all military exercises – both ongoing and planned ones – and allocate all resources for humanity.

That’s way we say:

• Stop Defender 20, Aurora 20 and other large scale military exercises in Europe and elsewhere
• End rearmament and invest in peace, welfare, health and the environment

If you agree, don’t forget to sign and share our call to cancel all military exercises in Europe and the world after corona outbreak. You find the call by following this link.

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References

• Activists for peace: “Cancel all military exercises in Europe and the world after corona outbreak“. March, 14 2020. Call published on change.org.
• EUCOM: “Exercise Defender-Europe 20 Update (March 16)“. March, 16 2020. EUCOM.
• Hedlund, Calle: “Inrikesministern: Inte aktuellt att stänga svenska gränsen“. (In Swedish: Title in English: “Interior Minister: Not necessary to close the Swedish border“. March, 14 2020, SVT Nyheter.
• NATO: Nato’s official information about Defender Europe 2020.
• Sjödin, Simon: “Norge stänger gränserna mot Sverige – här är undantagen som släpps över“. (In Swedish. Title in English: “Norway closes borders with Sweden – here are the exceptions that are allowed to pass”. March, 15 2020. Östersundsposten
• Swedish Armed forces: Official information about Aurora20 from Swedish Armed forces
• Swedish Armed Forces: “Patriot debuterar under Aurora 20“. (In Swedish. Title in English Patriot debutes during Aurora 20P) February, 12 2020, Swedish Defence Forces.
  
• US Army Europe: “Atlantic Resolve Fact Sheet“. June, 6 2018, US Army Europe.
• US Army Europe: “Exercise Defender-Europe 20 UPDATE“. March, 16 2020. US Army Europe.
• Vandiver, John: 700 Marines arrive in Norway for six-month mission. September 27, 2019, Stars and Stripes.
• Vandiver, John: “Coronavirus fears force Pentagon to curtail large Defender-Europe 20 exercise“. March, 6 2020, Stars and Stripes.

Cancel all military exercises in Europe and the world – Now in Spanish

Our call to cancel all military exercises in Europe and the world in the wake of the corona outbreak is translated to Spanish. It is published under a title which says that there is no quarantine for Nato military.

Share the translated text to everyone who speaks Spanish so to they can read and sign the call.

You should not forget to sign yourself. 

We have published our call for discontinuation of all military exercises in Europe and around the world because we are convinced that this is the only correct decisions to make. These decisions should already have been taken.

Sign the call to show that you agree that we need all resources for humanity, not for war games.

Sign our call to cancel all military exercises in Europe and the world after the corona outbreak

Do you also want to sign our call to cancel all military exercises in Europe and the world after the corona outbreak?

Sign by following this link.

Share this post both in Sweden and elsewhere so as many as possible can help to:

• Stop Defender 20, Aurora 20 and other large scale military exercises in Europe and elsewhere
• End rearmament and invest in peace, welfare, health and the environment

Show that the present policies with increased military spendings are out of touch with today’s realities that we demand change.

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In Swedish:

Vill du också skriva under vårt upprop om att ställa in alla militära övningar i Europa och på andra platser i världen i kölvattnet av coronakrisen?

Skriv under genom att klicka på denna länk.

Dela inlägget både inom och utanför Sverige så fler kan hjälpas åt att:

• Stoppa Defender Europe 2020, Aurora 20 och andra storskaliga militära övningar i Europa och på andra platser i världen
• Avbryt upprustningen och investera i fred, välfärd, hälsa och miljö

Visa att den nuvarande politiken med ökade militära utgifter inte har kontakt med dagens verklighet och att vi kräver förändring.

Cancel all military exercises in Europe and elsewhere

We call for cancellation of all large scale military exercises in Europe and elsewhere. To continue carrying out the largest combination of training of military in a war situation in 25 years is damaging our capacity of addressing the Corona crisis. From the Arctic Sea along the border of Russia all the way to Georgia this combination of simultaneous exercises under names as Defender 20 in Central in Eastern Europe and Aurora 20 in Sweden must be stopped together with military exercises elsewhere.

The exercise Cold Response 2020 in Norway with 14 000 soldiers from Belgium, Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, UK and USA was cancelled March 11. It was announced by Lieutenant General Rune Jakobsen, Chief of the operational staff at the Joint Operative Headquarters, at a press conference were he stated: “What is new since yesterday is that the corona virus is out of control in society. We want to preserve the armed forces’ ability to fight so that we are able to support society in the complex period that will follow”. This response came late. When the exercise already had started, a soldier was tested positive for Coronavirus on March 5. Finland withdraw their soldiers already March 8.

On March 10, at least two top European military commanders tested positive for corona after they, together with other senior military representatives, attended a conference on an American military base in Germany. During the meeting it was discussed how to protect soldiers participating in Defender Europe 20 form the corona virus. No decisions were made.

Countries like China, Singapore and South Korea show that it is possible to stop the growth of number of people infected by the corona virus by acting fast and decisive. Unfortunately, Italy and some other countries did not. Today, not the European Union but China helps Italy by sending medical experts and offering 10 000 pulmonary ventilators, 2 million face masks, and 20 000 protective suits. The Italian foreign minister Luigi di Maio, after a conversation with his Chinese colleague Wang Yi, expressed that ”Chinese doctors were the first (to treat the virus) and they can bring their experience”. Yi said that “Although currently China itself still has great demand for medical materials, we will overcome the difficulties and offer material aid, including face masks, to Italy, and increase exports of materials and equipment to meet Italy’s urgent need”.

We call for a change in the way Europe and others worldwide address vulnerability. Rather than starting an arms race and foment enemy images we see the need of cooperation across borders. What we need is peace and welfare to address the common threats to our health, social security and global environment. Not as Western State leaders at the Munich security conferences make China and Russia their adversary.

The large scale exercises bringing together tens of thousands of soldiers from different countries as part of a drastic increase in military expenditure show how out of touch with today’s realities the present policies are. These exercises not only pose and immediate threat in terms of risk for disseminating the corona virus, they are also a misuse of our common resources for addressing the problems in the world today. What we need is not further escalation and polarization between West and East but addressing of social, health and environmental concerns of importance to all of humanity.

This is why we say:

• Stop Defender 20, Aurora 20 and other large scale military exercises in Europe and elsewhere
• End rearmament and invest in peace, welfare, health and the environment

If you want to join in on our call to cancel all military exercises in Europe and elsewhere, please follow this link.

Activists for peace

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References and links

Activists for peace

Activists for peace blog in English

Activists for peace blog in Swedish

Activists for peace on Facebook

Our international cooperation partner Prague Spring 2 on Facebook

Defender Europe 20

Official Defender Europe 20 information

Nato’s official information about Defender Europe 2020

Criticism

Hudson, Kate: “US to practice invasion in Europe”. Campain for Nuclear Disarmament, 10 February 2020.

Wagner, Jürgen: “Großmanöver Defender 2020” (In German). IMI, 10 January 2020.

Positive tests for corona in relation to Defender Europe 20

AP: “US, European Military Commanders Possibly Exposed to Virus“, New York Times, 10 March 2020.

Aurora20

Official information about Aurora20 from Swedish Armed forces

Criticism

Görgü, Kemal, Nordlund, Harald and Sevéus Harald: “Krigsförberedelser eller fredspolitik?”. (In Swedish). Uppsala Nya Tidning – debatt, 23 February 2020

Cancelled Cold Response 2020

Finland pulls out of Cold Response

Woody, Christopher “Finland pulled troops from an Artic military exercise with the US and 8 other countries over coronavirus concerns”. Business Insider, 8 March 2020.

Cold Response 20 cancelled

Bakkemo Danilov, Peder: “Cold Response 2020 cancelled”. High North News, 11 March 2020.

Nielsen, Thomas: “Norway cancels Cold Response due to coronavirus outbreak”. The Barents Observer, 11 March 2020.

China helps Italy

Boffey, Daniel: “Italy criticises EU for being slow to help over coronavirus epidemic”. The Guardian, 11 March 2020.

CGTN “Italy Criticizes EU for not responding its call for help, ´only China responded bilaterally´“. CGTN, 12 March 2020.

Hume, Tim: “China Is Now Sending Doctors, Masks and Hazmat Suits to Help Italy With Its Coronavirus Outbreak”, Vice News, 11 march 2020.

Wu, Wendy: “China sends team of medical experts, gear to help Italy fight coronavirus”. South China Morning Post, 11 March 2020.

Swedish Disinformation research controversy – links

This is a list of links complementing a list of Integrity Initiative links from some 40 countries and some Atlantic Council links that was compiled by us, Activists for peace (In Swedish: Aktivister för fred) on January 5, 2019.

“In early December 2018, Tord Björk from Activists for Peace was once more the target of a smear campaign. In a joint effort by Stockholm Free World Forum, an NGO paid by The Confederation of Swedish Enterprise to promote business interest in security affairs and Atlantic Council, the closer cooperation between environmental and peace movement and linkages to the Green Party was presented as a threat in the report Kremlin’s Trojan Horses 3.0. Tord Björk had written in an article in an environmental magazine that the referendum in Crimea in 2014 was a breach of international law but that a majority of the local population including the Ukrainians supports the outcome. The author of the report, Henrik Sundbom, a fellow at Stockholm Free World Forum, claimed that the article showed to much sympathy with the Russian Crimean narrative.

Last year a close cooperation partner to Henrik Sundbom , Martin Kragh, head of the Russia and Eurasian programme at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs and researcher at the Institute for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Uppsala University where he also is Research Director at the Uppsala Forum for Democracy, Peace, and Justice, together with the daily Expressen also started a smear campaign against Tord Björk and Ukrainabulletinen, the newsletter publicized by Activists for peace.“

Activists for peace in Make 2019 a year of peace!, January 5, 2019

Below you find an extensive compilation of links in relation to last years scandal.

Note that we have not made any assessment concerning trustworthiness. You have to use your own judgement; preferably by assessing the content rather than the sender. All texts have been included based on that they have some substance and that we have not missed any text.

Most of the links are in Swedish. We are working on translations of the titles so you are welcome back for updates.

Activists for peace has compiled this list in four sections:

• Some of the main texts and audiofiles of democratic interest
• Some of the main texts and audiofiles of academic interest
• Full list with links to articles in chronological order
• Some further links of interest

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Some of the main texts and audiofiles of democratic interest

Kragh, Martin and Åsberg, Sebastian: Russia’s strategy for influence through public diplomacy and active measures: the Swedish case, 1st version January 5, 2017. 

Kragh, Martin and Åsberg, Sebastian: Russia’s strategy for influence through public diplomacy and active measures: the Swedish case, 2nd version Spring 2017.

Svenska Freds och Skiljedomsföreningen: Om desinformation i debatten om värdlandsavtalet med Nato (In English: About disinformation in the debate on the host country agreement with NATO), Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society, January 10, 2017.

Henley, Jon: Russia waging information war against Sweden, study finds – Swedish Institute of International Affairs accuses Russia of using fake news and false, documents to influence opinion, The Guardian, January 11, 2017,

Storöy Elnan, Thea: Svenske medier beskyldes for å spre russisk propaganda. – En grotesk anklage, sier kulturredaktør (In English: Swedish media is accused of spreading Russian propaganda – A grotesque accusation, says culture editor), Aftenposten, January 12, 2017 and revised January 14, 2017.

Nesser, Johannes: Nya anklagelser mot Aftonbladet Kultur, Journalisten, January 13, 2017. 

TT: UI-forskare backar om Svenska Freds (In English: Researcher at Swedish Institute for International Affairs steps back concerning the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society), January 14, 2017. 

Rosenvinge, Therese and Cedersjö, Johan: Propagandabråk och Rysslandsalarmism, Sveriges Radio – Medierna, January 16, 2017.
Interview with Anders Mellbourn, Martin Kragh and others. 

Rågsjö Thorell, Andreas: Larmet om Aftonbladet Kultur sågas – hon kräver att artikeln tas bort, Resumé, January 16, 2017.  

Sachnin, Aleksej: Det är jag som är ”Putins agent” om livet som oppositionell i Ryssland – och om anklagelser från båda sidor, Aftonbladet, January 17, 2017. 

 

Olsson, Karin: Hemliga namnen i studien om Kremlfjäsk, Expressen Kultur, Expressen, January 18, 2017. 

Nesser, Johannes: Allt du velat veta om Kremlfjäsk men inte orkat ta in, Journalisten, January 20, 2017. 

Björk, Tord: “Vi ville främja dialog över frontlinjen”, Expressen, January 26, 2017. 

Jordens Vänner: UI-forskare och Expressen svartmålar freds- och miljöaktivister, January 26, 2017.

Jensen, Johannes: Tord Björk: ”De tror på sina egna lögner”, Internationalen, January 18, 2017. 

Activists for peace: The Swedish Institute for International Affairs research scandal. Activists for peace blog, March 5, 2017. 

Activists for Peace: NGOs and research trying to silence peace voices in Sweden, Activists for peace blog, March 5, 2017. 

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Some of the main texts and audiofiles of academic interest

The two versions of the desinformation article (see above) and also some other links above.

Five filed complaints directed to Uppsala University, can be obtained from the university.

Two evaluations made on behalf of Uppsala University, can be obtained from the university.

Isaksson, David: Svensk kremlologi, Sydsvenskan, January 9, 2017.

Karlsson, Martin (director of Swedish Institute of International Affairs): Med anledning av debatten om artikeln ”Russia’s strategy for influence through public diplomacy,  and active measures: the Swedish case”, Swedish Institute of International Affairs, January 11, 2017.

Lundström, Emma: Desinformationsrapporten som byggde på desinformation, Internationalen, January 11, 2017. 

Enbom, Jesper and Lindenius: Erik: Desinformation, Mediespanarna #262, Mediespanarna, January 12, 2017. 

Kälvemark, Torsten: Rapport på villovägar, Tidens tecken, January 12, 2017.

Bröms, Joakim: Lakejer, Bröms blogg, January 12, 2017.

Hellström, Agnes and Schori, Pierre: Att kritisera Nato gör oss inte till ryssvänner, Aftonbladet Debatt, January 13, 2017.

Kragh: Martin: Om Svenska Freds och Natofrågan – ett förtydligande (In English: Concerning Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society and the NATO issue – a clarification), Swedish Institute of International Affairs, January 13, 2017. 

TT: UI-chef tar avstånd från kritiserad studie, MVT, January 13, 2017.  

Enbom, Jesper and Lindenius: Erik: Mer desinformation, Mediespanarna #263, Mediespanarna, January 16, 2017. 

Hedman, Ulrika: Om vetenskaplighet och förtroende för forskning –  och om mediernas förhållande till vetenskapligheten, Eftertänkt, January 17, 2017.  

Kragh, Martin: “Den Natoskeptiska diskussionen är viktig”, Sydsvenskan, January 17, 2017. 

Kragh, Martin: Om artikeln i Journal of Strategic Studies, ett förtydligande av Martin Kragh, Swedish Institute of International Affairs, January 18, 2017.

Andersson, Tom: Analysen liknar viskningsleken, Aftonbladet, January 19, 2017.

Brandberg, Thomas: Varning för falska nyheter!, Samtiden, January 29, 2017.

Lundström, Emma: Kragh under utredning för oredlighet, Internationalen, January 30, 2017.

Drake, Lars: Anmälan av bristande kvalitét i forskning (UU och UI) Del 1, Synapze, January 30, 2017.

Drake, Lars: Anmälan av bristande kvalitét i forskning Del 2, Synapze, January 30, 2017.

Lundström: Emma: Utredningen av Martin Kragh är ett faktum, Internationalen, February 6, 2017. 

Bennich-Björkman, Li et.al.: Oriktigt, falskt, grundlöst, UNT Opinion, February 22, 2017. A text in support for the article and the text is signed by Li Bennich-Björkman, Matthew Kott, Claes Levinsson, Sofie Bedford, Sven Eliaeson, Magnus Feldmann, Jessica Giandomenico, Julie Hansen, Michal Smrek, Igor Torbakov from Centrum för Rysslandsstudier, Uppsala universitet. 

Lundström, Emma: Magplask när kollegorna försvarar Kragh, Internationalen, February 22, 2017. 

Andersson, Tom: Kraghs artikel håller inte måttet, UNT Opinion, February 23, 2017. 

Enbom, Jesper and Lindenius, Erik: Äntligen några som verkar villiga att svara på våra frågor!, Mediespanarna blog, February 23, 2017.

Bennich-Björkman, Li et.al.: Trakasserier i stället för saklig debatt, UNT Opinion, February 28, 2017. A text in support for the article signed by Li Bennich-Björkman, Matthew Kott, Claes Levinsson, Sofie Bedford, Sven Eliaeson, Magnus Feldmann, Jessica Giandomenico, Julie Hansen, Michal Smrek, Igor Torbakov from Centrum för Rysslandsstudier, Uppsala universitet.  

Björk, Tord and Wechselmann, Maj: Kragh faller i sin egen fälla, UNT Opinion, February 28, 2017.  

Lundström, Emma: Martin Kragh snubblar på Egor Putilov, Internationalen, 28 February 2017. 

Johansson, Mats: Åsa Linderborgs heder och yttrandefriheten, SvD, February 28, 2017. Written by Mats Johansson, guest editorial and founder of Stockholm Free World Forum In Swedish: FriVärld).

Brattberg, Erik: Sveriges säkerhetspolitiska förhållande med USA i en ny tid, McCain Institute for International Leadership, March 2017. 

Ackfeldt, Anders et al.: Undermålig forskning i svensk myndighetsrapport, Religionsvetenskapliga kommentarer blog, March 2, 2017.
Text signed by Anders Ackfeldt (Lunds Universitet), Jenny Berglund (Södertörns högskola), Frédéric Brusi (Stockholms universitet), Johan Cato (Lunds universitet), Güney Dogan (Göteborgs universitet), Mohammad Fazlhashemi (Uppsala universitet), Mattias Gardell
(Uppsala universitet), Jan Hjärpe (Lunds universitet), Torsten Hylén (Högskolan i Dalarna), Andreas Johansson (Linneuniversitetet), Pia Karlsson Minganti (Stockholms universitet), Karin Kittelmann Flensner (Högskolan i väst), Göran Larsson (Göteborgs universitet), Susanne Olsson (Stockholms universitet), Jonas Otterbeck (Lunds universitet), Emin Poljarevic (Uppsala Universitet), Åke Sander (Göteborgs universitet), Simon Sorgenfrei (Södertörns högskola), Simon Stjernholm (Köpenhamns universitet), Leif Stenberg (Centrum för Mellanösternstudier, Lund), Jonas Svensson (Linnéuniversitetet) and Lenita Törning (Birkbeck, University of London)

Enbom, Jesper and Lindenius, Erik: Den ovetenskapliga rapporten, Mediespanarna #271,  March 14, 2017.
The non-scientific report by Kragh and Åsberg is compared with a MSB report which was heavily criticized in the same way as this report by these two researchers at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs.

Nimmo, Ben: Failures and adaptations: Kremlin propaganda in Finland and Sweden, The Policy Policy Centre, March 21, 2017. 

Drake, Lars: Kraghartikeln: sågad men inte fälld, Synapze, April 9, 2017.

Arvidsson, Claes: Desinformation till husbehov, Kungliga Krigsvetenskapsakademin (In English: The Royal Swedish Academy for War Sciences), April 24, 2017.

Enbom, Jesper and Lindenius, Erik: Akademisk desinformation, Mediespanarna #284, June 6, 2017.

Lundström, Emma: Martin Kraghs desinformationsartikel får hård vetenskaplig kritik, Internationalen, June 27, 2017. 

---

Full list with links to articles in chronological order

Kragh, Martin and Åsberg, Sebastian: Russia’s strategy for influence through public diplomacy and active measures: the Swedish case, Journal of Strategic Studies, Volume 40 – Issue 6, January 5, 2017.
The text is available in two versions and is written by Martin Kragh (Associate Professor at the Uppsala Centre for Russian and Eurasian Studies and head of the Russia and Eurasia Programme at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs) and Sebastian Åsberg (Russia and Eurasia Programme at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs and MA in War Studies from King’s College London).

“The issue of Russia’s relations with western Europe became even more fraught on Saturday, when Sweden’s most respected foreign policy institute accused it of using underhand methods in an “information war”, including fake news, counterfeit documents, and other disinformation, to influence Swedish decision-making.

The report by Martin Kragh, a Russia expert at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs, said Russia was using ‘active measures’ in its information war against Sweden, in a bid to steer it away from joining Nato.”

Patrik Sawer and Raf Sanchez, The Telegraph, January 7, 2017.

Sawer, Patrick and Sanchez, Raf: Donald Trump says it would be ‘stupid’ for US not to build close ties with Russia, despite election hacking evidence, The Telegraph, January 7, 2017.
A comment to strengthen wider concern for Russian influence in Western countries: Donald Trump says it would be ‘stupid’ for US not to build close ties with Russia, despite election hacking evidence. 

TT: UI: Ryssland försöker sprida falska nyheter, Folkbladet, January 7, 2017.

Thornéus, Ebba: Ny studie: Rysk spridning av falska nyheter ökar i Sverige, Aftonbladet, January 7, 2017. 

Dagens Nyheter: Ny studie: Rysk spridning av falska nyheter i Sverige ökar, Dagens Nyheter, January 7, 2017.

Note! Many more daily Swedish newspapers published texts on January 7, 2017 about the text written by Kragh and Åsberg. Many used a telegram from TT as source and all of them headlined their text with expressions like “New report: Russian disinformation is increasing in Sweden” or “Swedish Institute of International Affairs: Russia is attempting to spread fake news (in Sweden)“.

Peterson, David: Svensk studie: Ryssland försöker sprida falska nyheter, FNB-Hbl, January 7, 2017. 

Oksanen, Patrik: Desinformation: Här är 26 ryska förfalskningar som spridits i Sverige, Hela Hälsingland, January 7, 2017.

Olsson, Karin: Vill Aftonbladet låta som Putin-press?, Expressen Kultur, January 8, 2017.

Reckman, Andrew: US warns Europe on Russian election hacking, EU Observer, January 9, 2017. 

Isaksson, David: Svensk kremlologi, Sydsvenskan Kultur, January 5, 2017.

Aagård, Martin: Häxjakten måste fåett slut, Aftonbladet Kultur, January 9, 2017. 

Borås Tidning Ledare: Ledare: Varför hjälper Lennart Andreasson Putin?, Borås Tidning Editorial, January 9, 2017.

Nordfront: Utrikespolitiska institutet skriver ”vetenskaplig” rapport – Motståndsrörelsen utpekas som ”pro-Kreml”, Nordfront, January 9, 2017.

Linderborg, Åsa: Försvara det fria ordet  – om Utrikespolitiska institutets rapport, bristande källkritik och informationskriget i Natofrågan, Aftonbladet Kultur, January 10, 2017.

Svenska Freds och Skiljedomsföreningen: Om desinformation i debatten om värdlandsavtalet med Nato, Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society, January 10, 2017.

“Wissenschaftler und Sicherheitsexperten in Schweden sehen eine gezielte Kampagne Russlands, um die politische Debatte im Land zu beeinflussen.“, 

Claudia von Salzen, Tagesspiegel, January 10, 2017.

von Salzen, Claudia: Studie zu Einflussnahme Russlands in Schweden – Drohungen und gefälschte Briefe. Tagesspiegel, January 10, 2017. 

Sommelius, Sören: UI och häxjakten på Aftonbladet Kultur, Nya Kultur-Sörens blogg, January 10, 2017.

Jerlerup, Torbjörn: Om Aftonbladet och rysk och ukrainsk disinformation, Den arga sossen! blogg, January 10, 2017.

Fraurud, Anders: Ryssland, Ryssland, Ryssland…, Pepprat rödgrönt blogg, January 10, 2017.

“Swedish Institute of International Affairs accuses Russia of using fake news and false, documents to influence opinion.”

John Henley, The Guardian, January 11, 2017.

Henley, John: Russia waging information war against Sweden, study finds, The Guardian, January 11, 2017.

“Russians carried out an anti-NATO fake news and disinformation campaign in the past two years, according to a comprehensive study.

Russia’s propaganda machine reportedly extends far beyond its alleged interference in the U.S. elections. It also took “active measures” to exert “covert influence” on public opinion and decision making in Sweden, according to a report the Swedish Institute of International Affairs released last week.”

Willa Frej, Huffington Post, January 11, 2017.

Frej, Willa: Russia Spread Fake News And Disinformation In Sweden, Huffington Post, January 11, 2017.

Karlsson, Martin (director of Swedish Institute of International Affairs): Med anledning av debatten om artikeln ”Russia’s strategy for influence through public diplomacy,  and active measures: the Swedish case”, Swedish Institute of International Affairs, January 11, 2017.

Storöy Elnan, Thea: Svenske medier beskyldes for å spre russisk propaganda. – En grotesk anklage, sier kulturredaktør (In English: Swedish media is accused of spreading Russian propaganda – A grotesque accusation, says culture editor), Aftenposten, January 12, 2017 and revised January 14, 2017.

Lundström, Emma: Desinformationsrapporten som byggde på desinformation, Internationalen, January 11, 2017. 

Enbom, Jesper and Lindenius: Erik: Desinformation, Mediespanarna #262, Mediespanarna, January 12, 2017. 

Kälvemark, Torsten: Rapport på villovägar, Tidens tecken, January 12, 2017.

Bröms, Joakim: Lakejer, Bröms blogg, January 12, 2017.

Hellström, Agnes and Schori, Pierre: Att kritisera Nato gör oss inte till ryssvänner, Aftonbladet Debatt, January 13, 2017.

Kragh: Martin: Om Svenska Freds och Natofrågan – ett förtydligande (In English: Concerning Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society and the NATO issue – a clarification), Swedish Institute of International Affairs, January 13, 2017. 

Drake, Lars: “Analys” av rysk propaganda eller desinformation om desinformation, Synapze, January 13, 2017.

TT: UI-chef tar avstånd från kritiserad studie, MVT, January 13, 2017.  

TT: Hård kritik mot UI-artikel om Ryssland, Expresssen, January 13, 2017.

Journalisten, 2017 Jan 13, Nya anklagelser mot Aftonbladet Kultur, Johannes Nesser
https://www.journalisten.se/nyheter/aftonbladet-anklagas-kremlpropaganda

Mansfield, Kate: Putin accused of undermining Sweden with intelligence campaign to threaten NATO, Express UK, January 13, 2017.
This text contains a video interview with Swedish military who says Russia is a clear instigator of activities of influence in Sweden. Translation to English is available for the interview.

Subramanian, Samanth: Swedish institute accuses Russia of spreading ‘fake news’, The National, January 13, 2017.
Comment from Activists for peace: Swedish institute refers to Swedish Institute for International Affairs.

TT: UI-forskare backar om Svenska Freds (In English: Researcher at Swedish Institute for International Affairs steps back concerning the Swedish Peace and Arbitration Society), January 14, 2017. 

AfricaMetro, Russia spreading fake news, counterfeit documents, and other disinformation in Sweden: report, AfrikaMetro, January 14, 2017.

Aliki, Ailas: Det finns bara ett propagandakrig, ETC, January 15, 2017.

Rosenvinge, Therese and Cedersjö, Johan: Propagandabråk och Rysslandsalarmism, Sveriges Radio – Medierna, January 16, 2017.
Interview with Anders Mellbourn, Martin Kragh and others. 

Romelsjö, Anders: Martin Kraghs ”Analys” av rysk propaganda eller desinformation om disinformation, Jinge blog, January 14, 2017.

Enbom, Jesper and Lindenius: Erik: Mer desinformation, Mediespanarna #263, Mediespanarna, January 16, 2017. 

Linderborg, Åsa: “De här ryktena måste vi döda”, Dagens media, January 16, 2017.

Rågsjö Thorell, Andreas: Larmet om Aftonbladet Kultur sågas – hon kräver att artikeln tas bort, Resumé, January 16, 2017.  

Hedman, Ulrika: Om vetenskaplighet och förtroende för forskning –  och om mediernas förhållande till vetenskapligheten, Eftertänkt, January 17, 2017.

Wilderäng, Lars: Vad Aftonbladet Kultur inte säger om sitt spridande av Kremls lögner, Cornucopia blog, January 17, 2017.

Sachnin, Aleksej: Det är jag som är ”Putins agent” om livet som oppositionell i Ryssland – och om anklagelser från båda sidor, Aftonbladet, January 17, 2017. 

Sachnin, Aleksej/Сахнин, Алексей: Размышления агента, EchoMSK, January 17, 2017.

Björkman, Fredrik: Aftonbladet-skribent i rysk media: Inte långt från repression i Sverige, Sverige Radio, January 23, 2017.

Kragh, Martin: “Den Natoskeptiska diskussionen är viktig”, Sydsvenskan, January 17, 2017. 

Olsson, Karin: Hemliga namnen i studien om Kremlfjäsk, Expressen Kultur, Expressen, January 18, 2017. 

Lundström, Emma: Utrikespolitiska Institutet borde ta ansvar för Kraghs fiasko, Internationalen, January 18, 2017.

Kragh, Martin: Om artikeln i Journal of Strategic Studies, ett förtydligande av Martin Kragh, Swedish Institute of International Affairs, January 18, 2017.

Ring, Britta: McCarthyismen är tillbaka i den svenska offentligheten, Flamman, January 18, 2017.

Andersson, Tom: Analysen liknar viskningsleken, Aftonbladet, January 19, 2017.

Eakin, Hugh: The Swedish Kings of Cyberwar, The New York Review of Books, January 19, 2017.

Nesser, Johannes: Allt du velat veta om Kremlfjäsk men inte orkat ta in, Journalisten, January 20, 2017. 

Svensson, Anders: Desinformatören Martin Kragh – slut som forskare?, Svensson blog, January 21, 2017.

Björk, Tord: “Vi ville främja dialog över frontlinjen”, Expressen, January 26, 2017. 

Jordens Vänner: UI-forskare och Expressen svartmålar freds- och miljöaktivister, January 26, 2017.

Jensen, Johannes: Tord Björk: ”De tror på sina egna lögner”, Internationalen, January 18, 2017. 

Brandberg, Thomas: Varning för falska nyheter!, Samtiden, January 29, 2017.

Lundström, Emma: Kragh under utredning för oredlighet, Internationalen, January 30, 2017.

Drake, Lars: Anmälan av bristande kvalitét i forskning (UU och UI) Del 1, Synapze, January 30, 2017.

Drake, Lars: Anmälan av bristande kvalitét i forskning Del 2, Synapze, January 30, 2017.

Lundström: Emma: Utredningen av Martin Kragh är ett faktum, Internationalen, February 6, 2017. 

USC Center on Public Diplomacy: Russia’s Active Measures: The Case of Sweden, USC Center on Public Diplomacy, February 7, 2017.

Bennich-Björkman, Li et.al.: Oriktigt, falskt, grundlöst, UNT Opinion, February 22, 2017. A text in support for the article and the text is signed by Li Bennich-Björkman, Matthew Kott, Claes Levinsson, Sofie Bedford, Sven Eliaeson, Magnus Feldmann, Jessica Giandomenico, Julie Hansen, Michal Smrek, Igor Torbakov from Centrum för Rysslandsstudier, Uppsala universitet. 

Lundström, Emma: Magplask när kollegorna försvarar Kragh, Internationalen, February 22, 2017. 

Andersson, Tom: Kraghs artikel håller inte måttet, UNT Opinion, February 23, 2017. 

Enbom, Jesper and Lindenius, Erik: Äntligen några som verkar villiga att svara på våra frågor!, Mediespanarna blog, February 23, 2017.

Kniivilä, Kalle: Vad stod det i Martin Kraghs rapport?, Kalle Kniivilä’s blog, February 26, 2017.

Fraurud, Anders: En debatt som fortsatt…i Uppsala – och lästips till den, Pepprat rödgrönt, February 27, 2017.

Bennich-Björkman, Li et.al.: Trakasserier i stället för saklig debatt, UNT Opinion, February 28, 2017. A text in support for the article signed by Li Bennich-Björkman, Matthew Kott, Claes Levinsson, Sofie Bedford, Sven Eliaeson, Magnus Feldmann, Jessica Giandomenico, Julie Hansen, Michal Smrek, Igor Torbakov from Centrum för Rysslandsstudier, Uppsala universitet.  

Björk, Tord and Wechselmann, Maj: Kragh faller i sin egen fälla, UNT Opinion, February 28, 2017.  

Lundström, Emma: Martin Kragh snubblar på Egor Putilov, Internationalen, 28 February 2017. 

Johansson, Mats: Åsa Linderborgs heder och yttrandefriheten, SvD, February 28, 2017. Written by Mats Johansson, guest editorial and founder of Stockholm Free World Forum In Swedish: FriVärld).

Ackfeldt, Anders et al.: Undermålig forskning i svensk myndighetsrapport, Religionsvetenskapliga kommentarer blog, March 2, 2017.
Text signed by Anders Ackfeldt (Lunds Universitet), Jenny Berglund (Södertörns högskola), Frédéric Brusi (Stockholms universitet), Johan Cato (Lunds universitet), Güney Dogan (Göteborgs universitet), Mohammad Fazlhashemi (Uppsala universitet), Mattias Gardell
(Uppsala universitet), Jan Hjärpe (Lunds universitet), Torsten Hylén (Högskolan i Dalarna), Andreas Johansson (Linneuniversitetet), Pia Karlsson Minganti (Stockholms universitet), Karin Kittelmann Flensner (Högskolan i väst), Göran Larsson (Göteborgs universitet), Susanne Olsson (Stockholms universitet), Jonas Otterbeck (Lunds universitet), Emin Poljarevic (Uppsala Universitet), Åke Sander (Göteborgs universitet), Simon Sorgenfrei (Södertörns högskola), Simon Stjernholm (Köpenhamns universitet), Leif Stenberg (Centrum för Mellanösternstudier, Lund), Jonas Svensson (Linnéuniversitetet) and Lenita Törning (Birkbeck, University of London)

Activists for peace: The Swedish Institute for International Affairs research scandal, Activists for peace blog: March 5, 2017. 

Activists for peace: NGOs and research trying to silence peace voices in Sweden, Activists for peace blog, March 5, 2017.

Activists for peace: To all peace loving people in Europe and the world – Time to join hands for peace in Ukraine, Activists for Peace blog, March 7, 2017. 

Yates, Bill: The Swedish Trump fans who secretly record journalists, BBC, March 7, 2017.

Rademaker, Michel and Sweijs, Tim: Hoe beschermen wij ons tegen Russische desinformatie?, The Hague Centre for Strategic Studies Report, March 13, 2017. 

Enbom, Jesper and Lindenius, Erik: Den ovetenskapliga rapporten, Mediespanarna #271,  March 14, 2017.
The non-scientific report by Kragh and Åsberg is compared with a MSB report which was heavily criticized in the same way as this report by these two researchers at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs.

Nimmo, Ben: Failures and adaptations: Kremlin propaganda in Finland and Sweden, The Policy Policy Centre, March 21, 2017. 

Hoffman, Francis G.: Statement before the House Armed Services Committee on The Evolution of Hybrid Warfare and Key Challenges, United States House of Representatives, March 22, 2017.
Francis G. Hoffman is Ph.D. affiliated to the Institute for National Strategic Studies, National Defense University,

Brattberg, Erik: Sveriges säkerhetspolitiska förhållande med USA i en ny tid, McCain Institute for International Leadership, March 2017. 

Lundström, Emma: Skamlösa borgare leker med elden, Internationalen, April 4, 2017.

Drake, Lars: Kraghartikeln: sågad men inte fälld, Synapze, April 9, 2017.

Arvidsson, Claes: Desinformation till husbehov, Kungliga Krigsvetenskapsakademin (In English: The Royal Swedish Academy for War Sciences), April 24, 2017.

Enbom, Jesper and Lindenius, Erik: Akademisk desinformation, Mediespanarna #284, June 6, 2017.

Oksanen, Patrik: Oksanen: AB Kultur + RT = sant, Allehanda Editorial, June 15, 2017.

Lindros, Ingemo: Banden stärks mellan svenska högerextremister och Putins maskineri, YLE, June 19, 2017.

Lundström, Emma: Martin Kraghs desinformationsartikel får hård vetenskaplig kritik, Internationalen, June 27, 2017. 

Galeotti, Mark: Controlling Chaos: How Russia manages its political war in Europe, European Council on Foreign Relations, September 1, 2017.

“Since 2014, Russia has moved towards a preference for active measures towards Sweden. Forgeries in Swedish information space have been amongst various tools Russia has used there, for example false evidence of misbehavior or incompetence of the West or the Swedish politicians and decision makers. The level of detail suggests that the originators of the documents have access to comprehensive intelligence on Swedish society. As we have seen in different parts of Europe, Sweden also has its farright and far-left populist movements and projects with connections to Russia, for example the Nordic Resistance, a fascist organization which has cooperated with Rodina party and the Russian Imperial Movement, or the interlocutor of a pro-Kremlin left narrative, tabloid called Aftonbladet.“

Krejčí, Markéta: European values, Kremlin Watch Report, October 14, 2017.

Krejčí, Markéta: Kremlin Watch Reader 2017, European values, Kremlin Watch Report, October 14, 2017.

Some further links of interest

Melin, Kristina: A New Russian Idea? – Neo-Eurasianist Ideas in the Russian Presidential Addresses to the Federal Assembly 2014 – 2016, Paper for a Bachelor Degree by Kristina Melin, Department of Government, Uppsala University, March 2017. Direct link to download the text in PDF-format.

Lewandowsky, Stephan; et al: Beyond Misinformation: Understanding and coping with the post-truth era, Journal of Applied Research in Memory and Cognition Number 6, Issue 4, pp. 353-369.
Paper written by Stephan Lewandowsky, University of Bristol and University of Western Australia, Ullrich K. H. Ecker, University of Western Australia and John Cook, George Mason University. Direct link to download the text in PDF-format.

Danyk, Yuriy et al.: Hybrid War: High-tech, Information and Cyber Conflicts, Connections QJ 16, no. 2 (2017), pp 5-24.
Paper written by Danyk, Yuriy; Tamara Maliarchuk; Chad Briggs published in Connections which is “a quarterly academic journal covering security, defense, armed forces, conflict, intelligence, history, war, and related issues”. Connections was established in 2002 by the Partnership for Peace Consortium of Defense Academies and Security Studies Institutes. Direct link to download the text in PDF-format.

 

 

Integrity Initiative links from from around 40 countries and some Atlantic Council links – Part 1 of 4

This is part 1 of 4 of Integrity Initiative links from around 40 countries and some Atlantic Council links. The list is compiled by Activists for peace on January 5, 2019. You can find reading tips and an overview of all the parts in this blogpost.

Content in part 1 of 4

• Basic information 
• Integrity Initiative: official site, statements and leaked material
• Atlantic Council: Kremlin’s Trojan Horses publications
• Sources connecting Integrity Initiative and Atlantic Council

Basic information

A good start is UK Column’s “What is the Integrity Initiative? A short briefing paper“, December 2018.
https://www.ukcolumn.org/integrity-initiative

Hayward, Tim: “Integrity: Grasping The Initiative”, December 15, 2018.
A summary of the situation including an updated list of links can be found here:
https://timhayward.wordpress.com/2018/12/15/integrity-grasping-the-initiative

The Institute for Statecraft – Homepage
https://www.statecraft.org.uk

Atlantic Council – Homepage
http://atlanticcouncils.com

Integrity Initiative: official sites and leaked material

Integrity Initiative – Homepage
https://www.integrityinitiative.net

UK parliamentary debate on Integrity Initiative, December 12, 2018
https://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2018-12-12a.285.0

Chris Donnelly, (23 December 2018), Institute for Statecraft director, Chris Donelly on Disinformation and the leak
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jn5qyyDInTk

Integrity Initiative, (26 November 2018), Statement on Russian media publication of hacked II documents
https://www.integrityinitiative.net/articles/statement-russian-media-publication-hacked-ii-documents

Briefing note on the Integrity Initiative, Paul McKeigue, David Miller, Jake Mason, Piers Robinson
http://syriapropagandamedia.org/working-papers/briefing-note-on-the-integrity-initiative

This page is for public comments and discussion relating to the Briefing Note on the Integrity Initiative,
https://timhayward.wordpress.com/2018/12/21/briefing-note-on-the-integrity-initiative-comments-and-discussion

Anonymous (5 November 2018) Documents of ‘Integrity Initiative’, Part 1
https://www.cyberguerrilla.org/blog/operation-integrity-initiative-british-informational-war-against-all

Anonymous (29 November 2018) Documents of ‘Integrity Initiative’, Part 2
https://www.cyberguerrilla.org/blog/operation-integrity-initiative-british-informational-war-against-all-part-2

Anonymous (14 December 2018) The documents of ‘Integrity Initiative’, Part 3
https://www.cyberguerrilla.org/blog/operation-integrity-initiative-british-informational-war-against-all-part-3

Anonymous (4 January 2019) Documents of the “Integrity Initiative” Part 4
https://www.cyberguerrilla.org/blog/operation-integrity-initiative-british-informational-war-against-all-part-4/

Atlantic Council Kremlin’s Trojan Horses publications and projects

15 November 2016, Alina Ployakova and others, The Kremlin’s Trojan Horses: Russian Influence in France, Germany, and the United Kingdom
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/publications/reports/kremlin-trojan-horses

14 November 2017, Alina Ployakova and others, The Kremlin’s Trojan Horses 2.0: Russian Influence in Greece, Italy, and Spain
https://issuu.com/atlanticcouncil/docs/the_20kremlin_27s_20trojan_20horses

The Kremlin’s Trojan Horses 3.0: Sweden Election Teaser
https://disinfoportal.org/teaser-kremlin-trojan-horses-3-0

3 December 2018, Alina Polyakova et al: The Kremlin’s Trojan Horses 3.0: Russian Influence in Denmark, The Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden
https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/publications/reports/the-kremlins-trojan-horses-3-0

Atlantic Council and Facebook
http://fortune.com/2018/05/17/facebook-atlantic-council-election-propaghanda

Sources connecting Integrity Initiative and Atlantic Council:

Hans Wåhlberg, (16th December 2018), NATOS:s trojanska hästar
https://hanslillagrona.blogspot.com/2018/12/natoss-trojanska-hastar.html

Conversations with Slava, (20 December 2018), The Integrity Initiative in Context, Alan MacLeod of the Glasgow Media Group and FAIR talks about The Integrity Initiative and the wider context.
https://soundcloud.com/conversationswithslava/the-integrity-initiative-in-context