A recent survey in Ukraine indicates unprecedented 89% support for NATO membership, showcasing a historic shift in attitudes across regions. This brief, by Anna Anisimova (SITE), explores the evolution of pro-NATO sentiment, regional divides, and the impact of Russian aggression on public opinion.

A 2023 study by SITE researchers explores the overlooked link between foreign aid and female empowerment. Using aid project data and surveys, it reveals a modest but significant positive effect on various aspects of women's empowerment. Read the policy brief to learn more!

On 8-10 September, 2023, the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and the FREE Network hosted the annual Retreat in Visby to discuss its institutes’ respective work of research areas, from politics to climate change to consumer behavior and joint efforts within the Network.

The Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and the FREE Network wish to extend heartfelt greetings to the brave people of Ukraine on National Independence Day, August 24.

Johanna Rickne, Affiliated Professor at the Stockholm School of Economics, has been awarded the prestigious SNS Prize 2023 for her outstanding research on economic and political gender equality.

In this brief, Jonathan Lehne and Maiting Zhuang examines the fragility of democratic institutions in Eastern Europe, comparing expert assessments and general population surveys. Experts' concerns have intensified, yet voters in almost all new EU member states and across age groups express growing satisfaction with their democracies. The study reveals a shift where people's perception of democracy is increasingly influenced by election outcomes rather than actual institutional change, even when media freedom or judicial independence is restricted by governments.

In May members of the Center for Statecraft and Strategic Communication travelled to Washington, DC with the students of Applied History 767: World Order & Present Challenges. Designed by Center Director Dr. Rikard Westerberg, this globetrotting course has been offered since 2019 and sees students from the Stockholm School of Economics embark on a deep dive of statecraft, diplomacy and international history.

The Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and the Forum for Research on Media and Democracy in Eastern Europe (FROMDEE) invites paper submissions to a one-day conference on “Democratic backsliding and electoral autocracies” with a keynote lecture by Arturas Rozenas (New York University) on 13 October 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden.

On April 19th, 2023, the Center for Statecraft and Strategic Communication hosted a highly engaging event, "StratCom Lunch with Henrik Landerholm - A New Era of National Security." As Sweden's National Security Advisor, Mr. Landerholm provided valuable insights on building a National Security Council in today's complex world.

In this brief SITE researchers, Anna Anisimova and Cecilia Smitt Meyer, present a short overview of some of the most important statistics on Russia’s economic performance no longer publicly available. They also discuss some alternative measures to track the Russian economy which can be used to provide more accurate assessments of the effect of sanctions and thus reduce the impact of Russia’s data warfare.