From August to November 2008, I was involved in the Swedish Armed Forces as a soldier within the Home Guard (Hemvärnet), similar to army reserve units and territorial units in armed forces worldwide. At that time, I aspired to become full-time employed within the Swedish military to be able to work as staff in peace-keepingContinue reading “Destroyed MT-LB armored vehicle in Sweden”
Category Archives: Europe
5,5 billion dollar question – EU and Yugoslavia in 1990, interview with Kiro Gligorov
Kiro Gligorov was one of the most famous and active communist politicians in ex-Yugoslavia. Gligorov was involved in the Macedonian branch of the Yugoslav Communist League (party) and served as the first president of Macedonia’s Socialist Republic. After the disintegration of Yugoslavia, Gligorov served as the president of sovereign Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia nowContinue reading “5,5 billion dollar question – EU and Yugoslavia in 1990, interview with Kiro Gligorov”
Yugo Cobra
Recently I was watching an episode of “Cobra“, a 1990s action TV-show starring Michael Dudikoff. Partly, I am watching Cobra since it was broadcasted in Bosnia after the war. One of those “Americanising” shows that many people enjoyed despite all anti-American behaviours as among larger parts of the Bosnian Serb population. In the first partsContinue reading “Yugo Cobra”
Some similarities between the Capitol riots and wars in ex-Yugoslavia
1. “Strong leaders”, nationalist identity politics, populist politicians and undemocratic agendas 2. Military coup-style actions and violent takeovers of public institutions and buildings 3. People driven by beliefs in conspiracy theories, politics of fear, irrationality and nationalist mythology. 4. Militia groups, paramilitary units, armed individuals often with criminal records, tribalistic behaviours 5. Disdain for democracy,Continue reading “Some similarities between the Capitol riots and wars in ex-Yugoslavia”
Integration and disintegration of Europe 1991
Recently I was watching an episode of Rapport from December 1991. Rapport is the Swedish public service news program. Via SVT, one can watch older episodes about different topics and events. This one is about the Maastricht agreement and the negotiations that were taking place during 1991. My Europe blog article also focuses on Sweden,Continue reading “Integration and disintegration of Europe 1991”
Sweden – yes to the EU but no to the Euro
Recently I was watching an episode of Rapport from December 1991. Rapport is the Swedish public service news program. Via SVT, one can watch older episodes about different topics and events. This one is about the Maastricht agreement and the negotiations that were taking place during 1991. In the episode, different aspects are being mentioned,Continue reading “Sweden – yes to the EU but no to the Euro”
Good humans in the time of evil – Duško Kondor
Duško Kondor was a human rights activist during and after the war in Bosnia. He was born and lived in the city of Bijeljina, were among the worst crimes during the war occurred in 1992. During the war, Duško had the courage and moral conviction to condemn war crimes, and after the war, he cooperatedContinue reading “Good humans in the time of evil – Duško Kondor”
Neo-liberalism, Soros and CIA – conspiracy theories in areas of ex-Yugoslavia and the Soviet union
Why do many people in Balkans believe that Corona does not exist and that 5G is a conspiracy connected to Bill Gates? Recently, I read an article by weekly columnist Hynek Pallas who often writes about Central Europe in Swedish speaking daily media as Göteborgs Posten. Pallas has reviewed two research book called ”Conspiracy Theories inContinue reading “Neo-liberalism, Soros and CIA – conspiracy theories in areas of ex-Yugoslavia and the Soviet union”
Monument politics in ex-Yugoslavia
During 2020 there have been many debates about monuments concerning demonstrations and riots connected to the Black Lives Matter movement. Monuments as of Edward Colston in Bristol, UK and of General Robert E. Lee in Richmond, USA have been vandalised and/or destroyed. My position when it comes to monuments is the following: Monuments are notContinue reading “Monument politics in ex-Yugoslavia”
500 Billion Dinar Question
In 1991, the Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia ceased to exist as a sovereign state and UN-member. Before its collapse, socialist Yugoslavia had economic problems, including inflation. The inflation problems were temporarily handled by its last prime-minister Ante Markovic. According to the historian Tvrtko Jakovina based in Croatia, Markovic was especially successful in stopping theContinue reading “500 Billion Dinar Question”