Publications

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Given the recent revelation that S.B. Submarine Systems, China’s leading subsea cable installer, has been flagged by U.S. officials as presenting acute security risks, PSSI has issued a Flash Traffic report recommending capital markets sanctions against its parent company, China Communications Services (HK.0552). 

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Regional Security Program // Kristína Šefčíková, Prague Security Studies Institute, Political Capital / 4 Jun 2024

MEPs from Central Europe: A Bulwark Against Authoritarianism

As the Members of the European Parliament’s ninth term closed their books, PSSI teamed up with Political Capital and partners to track the views of incumbent MEPs from the V4, Austria, Bulgaria and Romania on authoritarian regimes. We used qualitative and quantitative methods to build an accurate picture of MEPs’ positions on authoritarian countries. PSSI contributed to the effort with an analysis of Czech MEPs.

 

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Regional Security Program // Kristína Šefčíková, Natália Tkáčová, Prague Security Studies Institute / 31 May 2024

PSSI Perspective #34: Obchod so strachom na Slovensku

Slovenský informačný priestor je čoraz viac zaplavovaný dezinformáciami a manipuláciami. Veľkou motiváciou pre šírenie problematického obsahu môže byť vidina zisku. V tejto súvislosti sa často používa aj označenie obchod so strachom. Obchodníci so strachom sa vo svojej komunikácii spoliehajú na dezinformácie, ktoré v ľuďoch vyvolávajú silné emócie ako strach alebo nenávisť. Tieto praktiky využívajú ako skratku k čo najväčšej pozornosti – klikom –, a čo je hlavné, peniazom. Ich ciele sú ale často spojené s politickými ambíciami a túžbou po pozornosti.

PSSI Perspective

Regional Security Program // Kristína Šefčíková, Prague Security Studies Institute / 30 May 2024

PSSI Perspective #33: Kdo jsou obchodníci se strachem a proč si na ně dávat pozor?

Stále častěji se v médiích setkáváme s pojmem obchodníci se strachem. Jde o lidi, kterým jde o finanční zisk a pro dosažení svého cíle se nebojí využívat dezinformace. Jejich cíle se také běžně spojují s politickými ambicemi nebo touhou po pozornosti. Ve své komunikaci se proto spoléhají na dezinformace a zavádějící praktiky, které v lidech vyvolávají silné emoce, především strach a nenávist. Tyto praktiky využívají jako zkratku k co největší pozornosti, klikům – a co je hlavní, k penězům.
Globsec

Projekt GLOBSEC Trends poskytuje výsledky rozsáhlého průzkumu veřejného mínění ve střední a východní Evropě. Účelem průzkumu je zmapovat kolektivní společenské postoje a pohledy na širokou škálu témat, zejména geopolitického charakteru, včetně Evropské unie a NATO, jakož i probíhající války na Ukrajině a vnímání demokracie.

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Given the recent EU raid on the Warsaw and Rotterdam offices of the Chinese security equipment manufacturer Nuctech, PSSI has issued a Flash Traffic report recommending capital markets sanctions against its parent company, Tsinghua Tongfang (SS.600100). Download the Flash Traffic report below.

Snímek obrazovky 2024-04-18 v 12.50.04

This analysis seeks to identify key stakeholders involved in the public debate around the Istanbul Convention and its framing. The analytical report provides practical communication recommendations with the aim of fostering a more balanced public debate about the Istanbul Convention. The outputs are based on semi-structured expert interviews with the government's Human Rights Commissioner, a representative of the media, the non-governmental sector and a legal expert. The analysis is available in both English and Czech. 

SHEIN

Economic & Financial Statecraft Program // Elias Sköld, Nico Mastrangelo, Emma Sage / 6 Mar 2024

Suppliers in Chains: SHEIN’s Troubling IPO

PSSI’s newest Perspective takes on the proposed IPO of SHEIN, the fast-fashion giant faced with a litany of allegations. We find that SHEIN has either concealed its practices or willfully misled consumers and lawmakers in the U.S. and EU regarding its record on human rights, workers' rights, environmental damage, consumer product toxicity levels, and customs regulations. It has been demonstrably and repeatedly linked to forced labor from the Xinjiang Province in China, faces a multitude of criminal allegations, and has demonstrated a repeated failure to protect workers and consumers. 

 

Snímek obrazovky 2024-01-31 v 7.51.24

PSSI's research reveals a regulatory crisis in global finance: American investment funds have been funneled into Chinese companies which bolster and support Iran’s rogue activities. This report highlights 40 such companies, which cumulatively enjoy U.S.-based investments valued at over $6 billion. This alarming relationship, driven by major U.S. asset managers like Vanguard, State Street, and Dimensional, demonstrates how Western funds are inadvertently supporting Iran's role as a principal state sponsor of terror. 
 

Disinformation on Telegram
In the evolving landscape of the Czech disinformation space, the organizational and financial dimensions of disinformation actors have emerged as critical yet underexplored facets. Traditional approaches to combating disinformation have predominantly focused on media monitoring and analysis, leaving a void in understanding how these actors operate, collaborate, and sustain their activities financially. This knowledge is pivotal in devising effective policies and civic outreach initiatives aimed at mitigating the adverse societal impacts of disinformation.