Sophia Alifirova received a BAH from the University of Toronto where she studied a Specialist program in Political Science. She is now an MA student in her second year at the Centre for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies at the Munk School of Global Affairs, University of Toronto. Her primary research interests are in EU-Russian energy relations, the East-West energy dialogue, and pipeline politics. She is also interested in EU enlargement and geopolitics more broadly.
Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Defense Iraq Peace & Conflict Studies Rights Security Sophia Alifirova Terrorism The Middle East and North Africa The United States of America

US Senate intelligence committee report: CIA “enhanced interrogation tactics” are not what American values stand for

The first 500 pages reveal “brutal” interrogation tactics used on terror suspects by the CIA. The Agency also stands accused of hiding its practices from the US government.

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Defense Development Diplomatic Relations Eastern Europe and Russia Energy & Resources Investment Sophia Alifirova Uncategorized

South Stream No More: Putin and Miller announce the scrapping of the pipeline project

While on a state visit to Turkey, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller announced the cancellation of the South Stream project.

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Defense Development Diplomatic Relations Eastern Europe and Russia Peace & Conflict Studies Security Sophia Alifirova

Latest Ceasefire in Ukraine Seems to Hold Despite Setbacks After President Poroshenko Calls For A “Day of Silence”

On Tuesday, December 9, 2014, Ukrainian president Petro Poroshenko called for a “day of silence” aimed at establishing the latest ceasefire between government soldiers and rebels in Ukraine’s eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

Africa Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Health Security Sophia Alifirova

The Ebola Epidemic: Guinea, Liberia and Senegal Struggle to Contain the Deadly Outbreak

As Senegal deals with its first cases of Ebola, Guinea and Liberia continue to attempt to contain the outbreak. Lack of supplies and the rapid spreading rate of the disease have significantly hindered these efforts.

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Defense Eastern Europe and Russia Peace & Conflict Studies Security Sophia Alifirova Uncategorized

Crisis in Ukraine: Thousands of Russian soldiers and arms continue to flow into Ukraine through the unregulated eastern border

NATO images, released this week, prove heavy Russian military presence in Eastern Ukraine as the Kremlin continues to deny supporting the pro-Russian rebels. The international community recently gathered to discuss placing additional sanctions on Russia in an attempt to resolve the conflict.

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Energy & Resources Health Society, Culture, and Security Sophia Alifirova

South Sudan Food Crisis: Potential of a Disastrous Outcome in the World’s Newest State

Ravaged by fighting between rebels and government forces, the interruption to the farming cycle threatens the country with the world’s worst food crisis in decades.

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Sophia Alifirova

Afghan Runoff Election Part II: Attempt to form a government marred by widespread corruption allegations, audit delays

A delay in the official auditing process and disagreements between the two candidates have delayed the release of the official results of the Afghan presidential election, originally scheduled for July 22, 2014.

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Expanding Community Sophia Alifirova The Middle East and North Africa

Afghan Runoff Election: Large Turnout Amid Allegations of Corruption and Taliban Violence

Approximately 7 million Afghans voted in the 2nd round of the presidential election amid widespread allegations of corruption, threats of violence from the Taliban and ballot shortages.

Cyber Security and Emerging Threats Eastern Europe and Russia Peace & Conflict Studies Security Sophia Alifirova

Potential or failure? Crimea’s likely future as another de facto state

With no option of maintaining the status quo of Ukrainian territorial integrity through the approaching referendum, Crimea may be on the path to becoming another de facto state.