Regarding the debate about the article ''Russia's strategy for influence through public diplomacy and active measures: the Swedish case''

The Swedish Institute of International Affairs (UI) researchers often engage, publish, write and present in public foras as well as in a variety of research environments. They are free to publish their work and to engage in debate. The research is based on independent scientific analysis. UI as an organization does not take a stand on policy issues. At the same time, we strive for nothing else but relevance and quality. Researchers regularly publish their findings in established international journals. The articles are peer-reviewed. The authors are solely responsible for the content.

The study in question, "Russia's strategy for influence through public diplomacy and active measures: the Swedish case," is an example of above mentioned type of article. It is published in the highly regarded Journal of Strategic Studies, not by UI. Authors of the study are associate professor Martin Kragh, head of UI's Russia and Eurasia programme and Sebastian Åstrand, formerly an intern with the Institute during spring of 2016.

UI is an independent Institute and a platform for research and debate on foreign affairs issues. Many different perspectives are presented and discussed, and that is the way it should be.