📖 Read sample: bloomsburycp3.codemantra.com/viewer/69b18...

I look forward to your feedback and am available for questions, book talks and the like!

I hope the book provides valuable local context to the broader debate on external influence, as well as practical policy recommendations for addressing the international dimensions of #illiberalism and #authoritarianism.

However, in the policy world, relatively little attention was paid to the role of local enablers of authoritarian and illiberal interests. Drawing on the rich academic literature on gatekeeper elites, the book examines #Russia's and #Turkey's influence in #Bosnia and #Georgia.

I started this project in 2015, when I began working on my PhD. Back then, external influence and interference in democracies, especially by the #Kremlin, were becoming growing concerns.

Authoritarian and Illiberal Influence Exploring how Russia and Turkey have shaped the contestation of democracy across South-Eastern Europe and Eurasia over the past two decades, Sonja Katharina Sch…

📢 I'm excited to share that my book "Authoritarian and Illiberal Influence. Russia's and Turkey's Threats to Democracy in Wider Europe" will be published by @bloomsburyacademic.bsky.social @bloomsburypol.bsky.social this week!

💡 More info: www.bloomsbury.com/uk/authorita...

Dismantling the most renowned and internationally successful university in Georgia. Sadly, it was long expected. Critical thinking, research, and teaching is no longer welcome.

Georgian authorities announced sweeping new amendments targeting critics. The law dramatically expands the definition of grants, increases government control over funding, introduces long prison sentences, and imposes eight-year bans from politics.

▶️ More: oc-media.org/killing-the-...

'I appeal to everyone who stands for human dignity: do not leave me alone. Act in all possible ways. I do believe in the power of international solidarity. Do everything in your hands to save my life and to stop [this] evil.' - Bahruz Samadov

oc-media.org/the-state-pl...

430th day of protest dedicated again to Georgia's controversial education reform.

My mandate led or joined 8 communications to #Georgia since its last UPR review in 2021, none of which received a response. I also travelled to Georgia on an official country visit in Oct-Nov 2023, & presented my report to the UN Human Rights Council in March 2024. (1/12)
🧵⬇️ #UPR51

March for Mzia Amaglobeli - 411th day of protest in Tbilisi.

Rules or Deals? The EU’s Challenge in Regulating Corrosive Capital in the Western Balkans The United Arab Emirates has become a major investor in the Western Balkans. With enlargement back on the agenda, the EU must ensure that foreign capital meets rather than undermines its governance st...

“Laws adjusted to fit projects, exceptions justified as progress, and oversight replaced by political discretion.” Lots to learn here for Tbilisi’s own planned Eagle Hills project. On @carnegieeurope.bsky.social w/ support from @boell-s-easteurope.bsky.social carnegieendowment.org/research/202...

1/ 65 leading professors from top universities worldwide urge Georgian Dream PM Irakli Kobakhidze to reconsider Georgia’s National Reform Concept for Higher Education. Letter dated Dec 15;

Low-Carbon Energy in Armenia: Prospects & Nuances | Heinrich Böll Stiftung | Tbilisi - South Caucasus Region This article discusses the challenges of transitioning to low-carbon energy from an economic point of view, using the Armenian context for illustrations and examples.

🔗Read Armen Danielian’s recent study, “Low-Carbon Energy in Armenia: Prospects & Nuances,” which explores the economic challenges of transitioning to low-carbon energy in Armenia and offers an economic perspective on the issue.

Full article: ge.boell.org/en/2025/12/0...

📽️ Watch a video explainer on the case of Tsaava and Others v. Georgia.

📘 Press release: t.co/vf8UeaZnTN

⚖️ Unjustified use of force and rubber bullets in dispersal of protest in front of Georgian Parliament.

‘By appointing to the US an ambassador whose spouse has clear Russian ties, the Georgian government is reassuring the Kremlin that Georgia will remain a de facto Russian client state’. @bobham.bsky.social

BBC suggests Georgia used WWI-era chemical on protesters, sparking SSG probe Georgia’s State Security Service (SSG) launched an investigation into the documentary on two charges.

A BBC documentary released Monday alleged that a WW1-era toxic agent was used against protesters in Georgia last winter, prompting opposition outrage and government backlash. The State Security Service has opened an investigation into the claims.

oc-media.org/bbc-suggests...

Boell Talks: Disinformation and External Interference in Armenian Politics As Armenia approaches critical parliamentary elections expected to be held on June 7, 2026, the integrity of information and public trust in democratic processes are facing growing challenges. Russian...

Join us online on December 4 to discuss Russian interference in Armenia’s upcoming elections and lessons to draw from Moldova 🗳️
calendar.boell.de/en/event/boe...

Our new article on the changing Azerbaijani diaspora in Berlin ⬇️

‘Too Late’: Khangoshvili Family Case Highlights Shift in German Deportation Policy - Civil Georgia Author: Florian Sädler Weeks have passed since several family members of Zelimkhan Khangoshvili, a G

Excellent article by Florian Sädler @civil.ge on Germany's migration and deportation policy regarding #Georgia, with a few comments from me. Given the increasing repressions in Georgia, at least a thorough review of Georgia's status as a safe country of origin is needed. civil.ge/archives/710...

Das Versagen – Eine investigative Geschichte der deutschen Russlandpolitik Mit Katja Gloger und Georg Mascolo im Gespräch mit Franziska Brantner Warum hielt Deutschland so lange an der Vorstellung fest, Russland sei ein verlässlicher Partner? Welche Fehleinschätzungen prägten die deutsche Haltung gegenüber Wladimir Putin und warum blieb Angela...

🟢 Wir laden ein zur Buchvorstellung 📖 "Das Versagen – Eine investigative Geschichte der deutschen Russlandpolitik" I 📅 Mi, 10. Dezember 2025 I 🕕 19.30 – 21.00 Uhr I 📍 Schumannstr. 8, 10117 Berlin oder im Livestream 🎬 I Infos & Anmeldung ⬇️ calendar.boell.de/de/event/das...

Looking forward to welcoming you at @boell.de in less than 2 weeks!
Registration is still open 👇

"To the end! To the victory!" - Georgians march in protest on the anniversary of disputed parliamentary elections and day 333 of non-stop #GeorgiaProtests
🎥 Nini Gabritchidze/Civil.ge

Sunday marks the 1-year anniversary of the fraudulent 2024 parliamentary elections in Georgia.

Despite intimidation and violence from the authoritarian government, peaceful protesters take to the streets every day, demanding democracy & free elections.

europeangreens.eu/news/one-yea...

𝗥𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 #𝗪𝗣𝗦 𝗔𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗮: 𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗣𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗹𝗮𝘀𝗵

📅 31 Oct | 4-6 pm
📍 hbs Berlin

Did the gains of the past 25 years lay a resilient and transformative foundation for #feminist & #gender-transformative approaches in #peacebuilding, foreign, #security & development policy?

Sacharow-Preis für georgische Journalistin Msia Amaghlobeli – DW – 22.10.2025 Das EU-Parlament hat Msia Amaghlobeli mit dem diesjährigen Sacharow-Preis ausgezeichnet. Die Journalistin hat zu Korruption in Georgien recherchiert und wurde bei den Massenprotesten im vergangenen Wi...

Wir gratulieren Mzia #Amaghlobeli herzlich zur Verleihung des Sacharow-Preises! Die von ihr mitgegründeten und geleiteten Online-Zeitungen Batumelebi und Netgazeti gehören zu den wichtigsten unabhängigen Medien Georgiens. 1/4
www.dw.com/de/sacharow-...

Seit vielen Monaten hetzt die georgische Führung gegen EU, 🇩🇪 & auch den deutschen Botschafter persönlich. @aussenminister.diplo.de hat daher entschieden, Bo. Fischer zu Konsultationen zurückzurufen, um über das weitere Vorgehen zu beraten. Morgen befasst sich der EU-Außenrat mit #Georgien.

A very rich study published by our partners from Socioscope on civil society dynamics in #Armenia since Covid-19 and the 2020 Karabakh War, offering excellent recommendations for civil society ahead of Armenia's critical 2026 parliamentary elections.

socioscope.am/wp-content/u...

From my prison cell in Georgia, I implore Europe not to abandon us to Russia | Mzia Amaglobeli My fellow journalists are putting their lives in danger every day, but we refuse to surrender to a regime that threatens Europe’s own security, says imprisoned Georgian journalist Mzia Amaglobeli

A letter from Georgia's political prisoner, journalist Mzia Amaglobeli.

Livestream, dossier, illustrations ➡️ www.boell.de/en/25th-fore...