Welcome to De Facto’s new interview series, in which we interview scientists, artists and journalists about contested borders. We kick off with political scientist Ramesh Ganohariti, who has recently co-authored a book on sub-state recognition. ‘States have become more emboldened to throw the international playbook out of the window.’
Jorie Horsthuis | 11 Mar 2026
The development of both Donetsk and Transnistria have a strong tendency to be seen as vessels for Russia’s search for influence in a Post-Soviet world. Yet these states are just as much the result of local context and the geopolitical storm that surrounds them. However, whatever the causes of their tribulations, the burden of international abandonment falls on the people in these nations.
Jonathan Casewell | 20 Oct 2021
While football may strive to be apolitical and unite people, it has become highly politicised. In Blood and Circuses, Robert O’Connor delves into the collective memory and experiences of football by people who are living in contested territories like Transnistria and Kosovo.
Ramesh Ganohariti | 30 Nov 2020