Max Smedes
is a journalist with a focus on Eastern and South-Eastern Europe. He works from Amsterdam (NL) for broadcasters and print media.
Articles
Bridging the De Facto Border
Welcome to De Facto’s new interview series, in which we interview scientists, artists and journalists about contested borders. What is their perspective on this urgent theme, and how does their work contribute to a better understanding? In this second edition, we interview Gaëlle Le Pavic and Said Gezerdava, who team up to write about Abkhazia.
Max Smedes | 29 Mar 2026
Left Out In the Cold
For decades, the separatist Moldovan region of Transnistria has been able to count on practically free gas from Russia. When that changed last year, the impact on the lives of the local community was immense. What are the prospects for this self-declared republic? “We constantly talk about the coming winter.”
Max Smedes | 8 Dec 2025