|   | | | | SITE January 2025 Newsletter
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| | | | As we step into a new year, the challenges shaping the global landscape remain as pressing as ever. From geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty to the evolving policy responses needed to address these issues, the demand for informed analysis is critical. At SITE, we remain committed to providing rigorous research and expert insights to navigate these complexities.
In this first SITE Newsletter edition of the year, we explore key developments shaping the economic and political landscape. Torbjörn Becker examines Russia's economic outlook as the war in Ukraine continues into its third year. We also assess the strategic implications of Europe's energy policies, including the debate over its remaining gas links to Russia, and take a closer look at the road ahead for Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia in their pursuit of EU membership.
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| RADIO INTERVIEW
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 | Photo: Alexander Steamaze, Shutterstock
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| Three Years of War In Ukraine: Russia's Intention to Continue the War Remains
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| At the recent Folk och Försvar conference in Sälen, Sweden, Torbjörn Becker, Director of the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE), shared critical insights on Russia's economic vulnerabilities in the ongoing war against Ukraine. Becker highlighted how Russia's economic resilience is weakening, with sanctions and declining growth putting long-term pressure on its war financing. However, Putin continues to direct substantial resources toward the war effort.
In this episode hosted by P1 Morgon, Sveriges Radio, Becker was joined by Gudrun Persson (Swedish Armed Forces) and Oskar Jonsson (Swedish Defence University), who provided complementary insights on Russia's political determination and military challenges.
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| END OF AN ERA
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 | Image: Chuyko Sergey, Shutterstock
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| | Breaking the Link: The Cost of Shutting Down Europe's Last Russian Gas Pipeline |
| Ukraine has halted the transit of Russian gas to Europe, ending decades of direct pipeline deliveries and significantly reshaping the region's energy landscape. This new policy brief explores the financial and geopolitical consequences, including Europe's increased reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the risks for Moldova and Ukraine.
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| THE ROAD TO EU MEMBERSHIP
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 | Photo from Development Day Conference 2024. Photo: Davis Plotnieks
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| | What Will it Take for Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia to Join the EU? |
| The Russian invasion of Ukraine has intensified the urgency of European Union (EU) enlargement, bringing Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia closer to potential membership. A new policy brief, based on discussions at SITE 2024 Development Day conference, highlights the political, economic, and security challenges these countries face as they seek EU integration.
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| | EDITOR'S CHOICE |
 | AI-generated via DALL-E, an AI tool developed by OpenAI.
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| | Russia's Shadow Fleet: Sanctions Needed on Core Tankers, KSE Institute Urges |
| | By: Benjamin Hilgenstock & Yuliia Pavytska, KSE Institute |
| Last year, the KSE Institute disclosed significant findings regarding Russia's shadow fleet, calling on coalition governments to take swift measures against vessels evading sanctions
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| | | | FREE NETWORK POLICY BRIEFS | |
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 | | | | Russia's growing influence in Africa: Why it matters for the continent's future | |
| | | | By: Maria P. Berlin (SITE)
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| | | | Russia is expanding its presence in Africa, aiming to gain influence in areas with weak institutions and governments. A new policy brief published in September 2024 explores this trend and the potential consequences for Africa's development.
Image: Generated by DALL-E through OpenAI's ChatGPT.
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 | | | | Would an Increase in Female Representatives Lead to a Less Polarized U.S. Congress? | |
| | | | By: Pamela Campa (SITE) & Giulian Etingin-Frati (University of Zurich)
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| | | | This policy brief examines the belief that electing more women to the U.S. Congress would reduce partisan gridlocks. It reveals that while Republican women historically cooperated more with Democrats, this was due to ideological proximity. Among Democrats, women cooperate less with the opposite party than men. Additionally, recent years show a decline in gender-based cooperation differences among Republicans.
Image: tete_escapre, Shutterstock
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 | | | | Sweden's Nuclear Energy Expansion: Is It the Key to Net-Zero Emissions by 2045? | |
| | | | By: Julius Andersson (SITE) | |
| | | | Sweden's government aims to build new nuclear reactors by 2045 to achieve net zero emissions. This policy brief compares this plan to France's successful 1970s nuclear expansion but notes significant differences: Sweden's existing low-carbon energy, cheaper alternatives, and higher nuclear costs today suggest that the benefits of new reactors may be modest and costly.
Image: LukeonTheRoad, Shutterstock
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| | | | (Listed from oldest to most recent as of this month.) | |
| | | | "The Shadow Fleet That Fills Putin's Pockets (REPLAY)" / "Skuggflottan som fyller Putins fickor (REPRIS)" (Konflikt, Sveriges Radio) | |
| | | | "The Investment Veteran Takes Over Crisis-Stricken Billion-Dollar Foundation" / "Förvaltarveteranen till krisdrabbad miljardstiftelse" (Dagens Industri) | |
| | | | "Expert: Russian Economy Crumbling Due to the War" / "Expert: Rysk ekonomi krackelerar av kriget" (Dagens Industri) | |
| | | | "Torbjörn Becker on Russia's Economy" / "Torbjörn Becker om Rysslands ekonomi" (Expressen) | |
| | | | "Send Frozen Russian Assets to Ukraine" / "Skicka frysta ryska tillgångar till Ukraina" (Folkbladet Västerbotten) | |
| | | | "Trump in the White House—One of Several Threats to Ukraine's Freedom" / "Trump i Vita huset ett av flera hot mot Ukrainas frihet" (DN Debatt, Dagens Nyheter) | |
| | | | "We Can Handle the Transition – Without Unnecessary Subsidies" / "Vi klarar omställningen – utan onödiga subventioner" (DN Debatt, Dagens Nyheter) | |
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| | | | Jan 28 | SITE Job Market Seminar with Adelia Fatikhova | |
| | | | On Tuesday, January 28, Prof. Adelia Fatikhova, from Gran Sasso Science Institute, who will present her job market paper at SSE and online via Zoom. MORE INFO >> | |
| | | | Jan 30 | SITE Job Market Seminar with Evgeniya Dubinina | |
| | | | On Thursday, January 30, Evgeniya Dubinina, Researcher at the Institute of Economic Studies, Charles University, will present her job market paper at SSE and online via Zoom. MORE INFO >> | |
| | | | Feb 3 | SITE Job Market Seminar with Viktor Malein | |
| | | | On Monday, February 3, Viktor Malein, Postdoctoral Researcher in Economic History, Lund University, will present his job market paper at SSE and online via Zoom. MORE INFO >> | |
| | | | Feb 6 | SITE Job Market Seminar with Anastasiia Arbuzova | |
| | | | On Thursday, February 6, Anastasiia Arbuzova, Applied Microeconomist & PhD Candidate, Boston University, will present her job market paper at SSE and online via Zoom. MORE INFO >> | |
| | | | Feb 18 | SITE Seminar with Hava Orkut & Caroline Perrin | |
| | | | On Tuesday, February 18, Prof. Hava Orkut & Caroline Perrin, Univesrity of Strasbourg, World Bank, will present their working paper at SSE and online via Zoom. MORE INFO TBA >> | |
| | | | March 25 | SITE Seminar with Marta Lachowska | |
| | | | On Tuesday, March 25, Prof. Marta Lachowska, W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, will present their working paper at SSE and online via Zoom. MORE INFO TBA >> | |
| | | | June 9 | SITE Seminar with Georgy Egorov | |
| | | | On Monday, June 9, Prof. Georgy Egorov, North Western Kellogg, will present their working paper at SSE and online via Zoom. MORE INFO TBA >> | |
| | | | N/A | SITE 2025 Energy Day | |
| | | | N/A | SITE 2025 Development Day Conference | |
| | | | N/A | FREE Network Academic Conference | |
| | | | N/A | FREECE 2025 Workshop | |
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| | | | THANK YOU FOR READING
THIS MONTH'S NEWSLETTER
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Until then, see you in the next newsletter!
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