"‘Golden Kamuy’ and Modern Russo-Japanese Relation"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Marin Ekstrom
Tokyo Report
The Diplomat
11 August, 2026
Published: https://thediplomat.com/2026/08/golden-kamuy-and-modern-russo-japanese-relations/
The manga-turned-anime serves as an important pop cultural piece in understanding Japan’s place in the world, most specifically its historic role with Russia and their Northeast Asian borderlands.
"Beyond a ‘buffer zone’: how the Iran war is recalibrating Central Asian ties"
By: Cao Jiaxuan
South China Morning Post
15 March, 2026
The former Soviet republics are leveraging diplomatic fallout from conflict to assert autonomy and balance major powers, observers say
"Moldova’s EU ambitions rest on Sandu’s shoulders"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Diplomatic Courier
17 June 2024
Originally published: https://www.diplomaticourier.com/posts/moldovas-eu-ambitions-rest-sandus-shoulders
Moldova’s EU membership will ideally end the Moldovan identity and reunification debate. But the road to get there is a complicated one, writes Wilder Alejandro Sanchez.
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Uncrewed Vehicles
Shephard Media
20 March, 2024
Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/uv-online/dedrone-supplies-cuas-systems-to-ukraine-and-increases-signal-library/
Dedrone has announced the “closing of 16 new governmental contracts with global customers” in 2023, among which Ukraine received DroneDefender jammer rifles and “hundreds” of DedronePortable kits, a simplified version of the DedroneTactical counter-UAS system.
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Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Opinion
Geopolitical Monitor
2 February, 2024
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/kazakhstan-and-the-turbulence-of-russian-sanctions/
As the war in Ukraine will mark its second anniversary in less than a month, Central Asia needs to maintain a balancing act given the tensions between the global powers, highlighting the necessity of respecting sanctions against Russia while also maintaining cordial diplomatic and trade relations with Moscow. Well-structured, short-, medium-, and long-term foreign policies are necessary. Kazakhstan is known for its famous multivector foreign policy, which now has to be updated into a ‘Version 2.0.’
" Wargaming: Argentina reinvades the Falklands"
The Redline Podcast
11 December, 2023
On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2yJ5xbdMbF8k0O86xbD6Iv?si=bTf0BwG5TGaSK5GECDJnQw&nd=1&dlsi=22b3aa3aea0f49b0
Argentina's incoming president, Milei, was queried about reclaiming the
Falkland Islands for Argentina, following the path of his predecessors
by vowing to seek their reclamation. These claims, coupled with intense
media scrutiny, have fueled increasing speculation about a potential
second invasion of the Falkland Islands. But are these speculations
well-founded, or merely ongoing rhetoric? Will these threats intensify
into a more significant conflict between Argentina and the UK, and if
so, how might such a conflict unfold? We present these questions to our
panel of experts:
On the panel this week:
- Tim Fish (Shepherd Land Systems)
- Wilder Alejandro Sanchez (Second Floor Strategies)
- Kevin Fleming (Kings College London)
"El doble problema de Kazajistán con Rusia"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Editorial
La Política
11 Agosto, 2023
Originally published: https://www.lapoliticaonline.com/espana/wilder-alejandro-sanchez/doble-problema-rusia-alejandro-wilder
El desafío de los kazajos para mantener la relación estratégica con
Moscú, los oligarcas y escaparle a los impactos de la guerra y las
sanciones a Rusia.
In Russian:
"Риск очень высок". Когда введут вторичные санкции против Казахстана и кто может стать их целью?
By: Елнұр ӘЛІМОВА andАйя РЕНО
Radio Azattyq
29 May, 2023
Originally published: https://rus.azattyq.org/a/32429235.html
In Kazakh:
"Қауіп жоғары". Қазақстанға қашан жанама санкция салынады? Оған кімдер ілігеді?
By: Елнұр ӘЛІМОВА andАйя РЕНО
Radio Azattyq
29 May, 2023
Originally published: https://www.azattyq.org/a/kazakhstan-the-risk-of-secondary-sanctions-on/32432179.html
"Kazakhstan isn’t ‘Russophobic’ it Just Doesn’t Support Putin’s Stupid War"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
International Policy Digest
23 January, 2023
Originally published: https://intpolicydigest.org/kazakhstan-isnt-russophobic-it-just-doesn-t-support-putin-s-stupid-war/
As the war in Ukraine continues its winter phase, the conflict’s first anniversary is now on the horizon. Sadly, it does not appear that peace is likely anytime soon. Even more, there are concerns that the Kremlin could foresee another similar operation against another neighboring country based on exaggerations and outright lies. Kazakhstan is a clear example of this potentially catastrophic future.
"Would Kazakhstan be next, if Russia had been successful in Ukraine?"
By: Andre Matisak
19 January
By Andrej Matisak
Pravda (Slovakia)
18 January, 2023
Originally published: https://spravy.pravda.sk/svet/clanok/653940-kazachstan-moldavsko-azerbajdzan-kto-by-bol-na-rade-keby-rusko-ovladlo-ukrajinu/
"Rusko nemá žiadny dôvod na to, aby napadlo Kazachstan. Krajina neurobila nič, za čo by si takpovediac zaslúžila takýto útok, ale Kremeľ to môže vidieť inak,“ povedal pre Pravdu Wilder Alejandro Sanchez, expert na postsovietsky priestor a šéf washingtonskej konzultačnej firmy Second Floor Strategies.
"Between "attacking neighbors" Russia and the "forgetful" West: summing up Kazakhstan's foreign policy"
Interview by: Yelnur Alimova
Radio Liberty / Radio Free Europe ---- Radio Azatty
26 December, 2022
Между «нападающей на соседей» Россией и «забывчивым» Западом: подводя итоги внешней политики Казахстана
Ресей саясаткерлерінің "қоқан-лоқысы", Тоқаевты сынамаған Батыс және Қытайға туған "мүмкіндік"
"Russia-Kazakhstan Relations Defy Easy Explanations"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Opinion
Geopolitical Monitor
24 November, 2022
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/russia-kazakhstan-relations-defy-easy-explanations/
The presidential elections in Kazakhstan occurred as expected, with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev being re-elected for a new period from 2022-2029. Meanwhile, the Ukraine war enters its first winter campaign. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has been problematic for Russia’s neighbors, particularly non-NATO members like Kazakhstan. How will Astana deal with Moscow going forward in Tokayev’s new term?
"The War in Ukraine Has Revealed an Independent Kazakhstan"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
The Buzz
The National Interest
09 October, 2022
Originally published: https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/war-ukraine-has-revealed-independent-kazakhstan-205253
Astana is undergoing a diplomatic and political shift amid the Russo-Ukrainian War, and observers should keep a close eye on its balancing act.
"Kazakhstan Continues to Break Ranks With Russia"
Crossroads Asia
The Diplomat
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
22 September 2022
Originally published: https://thediplomat.com/2022/09/kazakhstan-continues-to-break-ranks-with-russia/
The not-so-subtle criticism of the Russian government regarding Ukraine in Kazakh President Tokayev’s UNGA speech should not be overlooked.
"Moldova unveils meagre defence budget growth amid lingering Russian threat"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Defence Notes
Shephard Media
1 September 2022
Originally published: https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-notes/moldova-unveils-meagre-defence-budget-growth-amid-lingering-russian-threat/
"Supply Chains and War: The Importance of Baku’s Port"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Opinion
E-International Relations
04 August 2022
Originally published: https://www.e-ir.info/2022/08/04/opinion-supply-chains-and-war-the-importance-of-bakus-port/
As the world prepares for a new Cold War (or a second Cold War), the stress on global supply chains due to the war in Ukraine continues to affect international commerce. The flow of goods, particularly energy, from Central Asia to Europe has become a vital issue since the war commenced, with Europe looking for alternative routes that avoid Russian territory. The Trans-Caspian International Transport Route (TITR), commonly known as the Middle Corridor, has emerged as a viable alternative. The infrastructural cornerstone of this route is Azerbaijan’s Baku International Sea Trade Port.
"Kazakhstan cancels Victory Day in protest over Putin’s Ukraine War"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Kamila
With Russia currently waging war in Ukraine, traditional Victory Day events on May 9 took on added symbolic significance. This holiday marking the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany has become central to modern Russia’s national identity, but attitudes elsewhere in the former USSR are often more nuanced and reflect the complex dynamics of post-imperial relations with Moscow. For Kazakhstan, refusal to join this year’s Victory Day celebrations was a subtle way of distancing the country from Russia’s aggressive actions.
"Azerbaijan’s Delicate Balancing Act amid the Ukraine War"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Situation Report
Geopolitical Monitor
2 May, 2022
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/azerbaijans-delicate-balancing-act-amid-the-ukraine-war/
Post-Soviet countries have come under scrutiny over their policies regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The three Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) and Moldova have taken clear anti-Moscow stances, with Chisinau even going as far as applying for European Union membership; on the other hand, Belarus has been very clear in its support of the invasion. As for the governments across the Caucasus and Central Asia, they have taken more cautious approaches. One good example situation is Azerbaijan, as Baku has generally maintained cordial and strong relations with Moscow, while at the same time taking subtle steps to assist Ukraine.
"Kazajistán se adecua al nuevo mundo debido a la invasión de Ucrania"
Wilder Alejandro Sánchez
La Política Online
5 de Abril, 2022
Publicado: https://www.lapoliticaonline.com/espana/wilder-alejandro-sanchez/kazajistan-wilder-ucrania/
