What I've observed about the North Caucasus, Jews and Israel over the years:

Locals in the more religious east (Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia) are surprisingly positive about Israel, as though they're barely aware of the Palestinians' situation or not much concerned. 1/16 Even the (newly) religious and human rights/peace activists (who might take a professional interest in Israel's conduct). The activists are typically pragmatic - via Israel, they can access top, Russian-language expertise in trauma, supporting torture survivors etc. 2/16

I spent a few days in #Avdiivka, 5 years before the "big war". It was under constant shelling, from both sides, even then. The stories I heard about what war does to people were evocative, as if they'd been written by Brecht as almost too-ponderous metaphors. 1/8 A dreary industrial town covered in grime from the local coke plant (= coal heated at extreme temperatures, to later burn hot enough to melt iron ore, the only such plant in Ukraine), the locals saw it as a comfortable, fortunate town, full of creativity and community spirit. 2/8

Chat with a Ukrainian activist (who was briefly a refugee, but is back in Ukraine): "The greatest challenge for Ukraine will be the return of the refugees. When the big war ends, many families will be broken, because they couldn't manage the hardship of separation." 1/9 "It is also an enormous problem for our economy. We're gathering data and found that 60% of Ukrainian refugee women in Europe have higher education, the largest group is in their 30s and 40s, with children, so these are the most productive members of our society." 2/9

About Georgia, the EU, especially the European Parliament and the capture of sovereign politics by lobbyists (this time, it goes both ways). Short thread, starting with one of the largest, most sophisticated over-the-phone global fraud schemes: ⬇️bbc.com/news/world-650… This fraud conglomerate, already prosecuted in the US and Germany, but still victimizing people in other countries, is traced back to David Kezerashvili, Georgian Minister of Defense under Saakashvili. For hair-raising details, watch the BBC documentary.⬇️

Today brought news on another fascinating chapter in the story of Georgia's EU integration (and also Ukraine and Moldova) and what it implies for the rule of law and human rights. It's about oligarchs and de-oligarchization. It's a headscratcher. 1/10
venice.coe.int/webforms/docum… Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova were all told by the EU that if they want to be EU candidates, they have to "de-oligarchize" - rid their politics and economies of the influence of oligarchs. Who is an oligarch and how to get rid of them was not specified. 2/10

Days ago, the EU told Georgia it won't get candidate status unless it drops its foreign agent bill, because such a law "incompatible with EU values".

Starting a 🧵on this: 1/? politico.eu/article/eu-urs… Here's EU High Rep for Foreign Affairs&Security Policy Josep Borrell: "incompatible with EU values and standards"
All while his colleagues are drafting a #foreignagent law on their own. Their obliviousness and double standards are really something... 2/?
eeas.europa.eu/eeas/georgia-s…

Planning meeting with Ukrainian grassroots activists, all women: "We're not being part of discussions about the impact of war, overcoming the legacy of war, building peace, rebuilding our country. No one asks us, no one even listens if we try to get through to them." 1/4 "We have a massive problem of men missing in action or going underground, leaving behind their families with unresolved issues. Their (ex-) wives are hostages of this situation. They can't get alimony, custody of children, signatures for paperwork etc. Nobody is addressing." 2/4

Today, the National Union of Journalists of Ukraine @nsju_org urged the government not to pass a media law that would threaten freedom of speech, in an open letter listing critical analyses by the @coe and @OSCE as well as Western journalism NGOs. 1/7
nsju.org/novini/nszhu-z… Also today, Ukraine's parliament passed said law by a wide margin - and boasted that the law's adoption brings Ukraine one step closer to full EU candidacy status. Indeed, the EU required Ukraine to pass A media regulation law. But not THIS law! 2/7

pravda.com.ua/rus/news/2022/…

EU Enlargement Commissioner @OliverVarhelyi says he doesn't know that much about Georgian politics. Whether that's sincere or not, it is appropriate for him to keep his distance, avoid the perception of meddling and keep it strictly technical. 1/3
1tv.ge/news/oliver-va… It's a healthy contrast to a gaggle of MEPs, self-appointed "friends of Georgia" w/o formal EU powers, who have been meddling, lecturing and treating Georgian elected leaders like misbehaving children if they fail to show proper adulation and docility. 2/3 jam-news.net/im-not-sure-ge…

My take on the counter-disinformation obsession: it started invading and poisoning the human rights/civil society/free press fields in the post-Soviet space about a decade ago. Invade how? Via money. Much of that sector depends on Western grants, often from governments. 1/6

https://twitter.com/carljackmiller/status/1583379174483296256

Governments need contractors for their foreign (aid) policies which became increasingly geopolitical (another buzzword) during this era. So grant calls for youth work, free speech, civil society development, human rights started prescribing 'disinformation' work. 2/6