CEP Senior Advisor Alexander Ritzmann writes: "Nonetheless, western media has come to develop a sort of Azov obsession, buoyed by a complete lack of nuance in the reporting around this group. One key factor missing in all of the analyses of the Azov: the difference between the Azov movement and the Azov regiment. The West’s Azov obsession and the inability to properly understand the overall phenomenon has even led to the spread of damaging anti-Ukraine propaganda in the media."

"Gregory Waters, an analyst at the Counter Extremism Project and nonresident fellow at the Middle East Institute, said there are more than a dozen recruitment centres in Syria run by Moscow-backed private pro-government armed groups."

CEP Senior Director Dr. Hans-Jakob Schindler article: "This article will look at the current and dynamic environment of the sanctions targeting Russia in light of the experience with sanctions against Iran. In addition, it will outline some of the key lessons that are implemented now and attempt to ascertain in which direction the sanctions environment may develop. Finally, the article will summarize some key steps that should be undertaken to avoid undue impact on compliance processes."