Camilla Edemann Callesen

AUTHOR

Camilla Edemann Callesen

I am a Danish national with a BA in International Studies and a MA in International Conflict and Security. I have previous work experience from humanitarian, peacebuilding and human rights organizations in Belgium and Denmark, and from a research institute in Finland. My interests include Russia and EU’s foreign and security policies, NATO-Russia relations, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding. In September I will commence my PhD in International Relations, which will focus on Russia’s foreign policy decision-making in the context of the conflicts in Ukraine and Georgia.

The Crisis Between Russia and the West: Who gets to be right?0

Conflicts are not only about incompatible interests. They are equally disagreements over why the conflict started in the first place. In the crisis between the West and Russia, diverting opinions and beliefs are evident, and both sides go at lengths to distort the narrative of the other. In this context “being right” should however not be the objective. Rather focus should be on how to address the underlying mistrust and feelings of betrayal expressed by both sides.

A Suggestion for the EU’s Global Strategy and the Resolution of the Georgian/South Ossetian Conflict 0

Last June, beclouded by Brexit, the EU launched its new Global Strategy. The strategy focuses on a number of issues and has opened a possibility for the EU to re-evaluate previous, and improve future, engagements. A case in need of a re-evaluation is the conflict in Georgia. Here the EU promotes state-building as the foundation for peace. The presence of Russia, however, drastically impedes the success of such an approach.

NATO Summit Outcome: Preventing a conflict or creating one?0

The 2016 NATO Summit held in Warsaw has now ended. As expected, one of the main topics on the agenda was NATOs strategic response to Russia, which included debates about tactical troop positioning and other deterrence measures. What the summit – at least publicly – did not address, is the reason for the standoff between NATO and Russia and how NATO plans to prevent it from escalating.

Should Sweden abandon its neutrality policy?0

Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014 as well as Russian verbal threats and provocations towards NATO and non-NATO members, have put European leaders on edge. Talks of a new Cold War have revitalized the role of NATO and made Sweden question its neutrality. But is the threat from Russia towards Sweden substantial enough for Sweden to abandon its neutrality policy? No, and here is why.