« Sweden not at all vaccinated against strategic corruption »
It's a new time. Russia has put the regular world order out of play and its war against Ukraine is now entering its fourth year. The new American president puts in arrogance power before law, leading to a global norm resolution.
One consequence is that international relations are becoming increasingly antagonistic. It contributes to the great powers utilizing strategic corruption as a means of achieving their geopolitical goals.
This form of corruption is the purpose of weakening another country's political and legal order, undermine its citizens' confidence in its regime and preparing the way for foreign intervention. The new silk road (Belt and Road Initiative), which the Chinese are based on many parts of the world, is an example. Vulnerable countries are indebted by the result that they end up in an dependence on China.
But it is Vladimir Putin who has a black belt in this method of impact. He buys influence in political parties and media, finances influence campaigns, conducts espionage and exploits Ukrainian corruption in order to weaken the resilience of Ukrainian society.
If Ukraine is deprived of Its easterly arises a situation similar to that in Eastern and West Germany. Which Ukrainians want to live in Putin's regions, partly destroyed by his own war machine, especially if western Ukraine gets a boost from a European Marshall help? Strategic corruption then becomes one of Putin's weapons to sabotage community building in western Ukraine, pending the aging Putin or his companion again.
The Russians also act strategically against the EU and its Member States. They pay members of the European Parliament to disseminate disinformation and Russian propaganda, pay for large -scale political advertising purchased through false accounts and interfere with election processes within the EU. Among other things, by providing financial support to political parties (The Kremlin Playbooks; the European Parliament 25.4.2024). For example, the country has supported a national collection in France, AfD in Germany and FPÖ in Austria, parties that opposed the sanctions against Russia and supported Russian propaganda.
There is a risk that Putin will have the respite he needs to be able to strengthen the Russian economy and equip for war
Even Swedish political parties is a given goal for the Russian efforts to influence politics. However, we have a protection for the integrity of politics against foreign influence, namely the state party support, which is very extensive internationally. This is a main reason why politicians in Sweden are not usually tempted to obtain addictive funding with light -shaded methods.
The integrity is also safeguarded by the fact that the parties must openly report their contributions, an insight into funding that may be strengthened. Lotteries are an excellent source of funding unlike support connected to conditions, which is illegal as a bribery. It is also a defense that politicians and some senior executives have good departure terms.
But, maybe we have one, so to speak, inner worries?
Sweden now has over 40 dollar billions which on average is good for SEK 43.3 billion per person. Several of them or their poorer cousins can be attracted to buy political power. Will billionaires one day take their private flights to Sölvesborg – physically or symbolically – to end a deal with the newly elected prime minister? The thought is swindling. But why would Sweden be vaccinated against the progress of the high -directional populism?
In addition to this corporate From politics, our oligarchs may want to influence opinion formation and promote their own business through ownership of media, internet platforms, etc.
So what should be done?
Corruption first and foremost revolves around one thing: money. « Follow the Money » is therefore the password for corruption control both globally and nationally.
New technology, especially AI, is an effective means of tracking suspected money transactions and identifying the real owners of anonymous shell companies and magic factories. Professional intermediaries, so -called enablers who usually require bribes to bring about the money laundering, can also be identified. This technology can also serve the control of gang criminal money laundering, which is usually contracted to enables (Financial Police's annual report 2023 and BRÅ Report 2024: 2).
Our domestic crime is thus intertwined with the global, which increases the risk of being exposed to strategic corruption from other countries
The legal society's occupational categories, such as police employees, are not usually recruited with the help of bribes, although such strategic corruption could be used as a method of impact. But our gang crime now has international branches. International networks have support functions in Sweden and drug trade is cross -border. Our domestic crime is thus intertwined with the global, which increases the risk of being exposed to strategic corruption from other countries.
This applies not least to a Russia who wants to strengthen its geopolitical position of power in our immediate area. That ambition may be facilitated by the fact that the couple Putin trump now in Tandem seems to consider a dictation about settlement-unclear if and when a peace agreement could be achieved.
There is a risk that Putin will have the respite he needs to be able to strengthen the Russian economy and Rusta for war, possibly in the Baltic Sea region. Meanwhile, he can continue his hybrid war with strategic corruption as a central element.
