Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
@isadesisto.bsky.social
PhD candidate in Politics at Princeton | Formerly Harvard Gov & Cambridge POLIS | Studying politics in Eastern Europe 🇲🇩🇺🇦🇷🇺 | isabelledesisto.com | @russiawatcher
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
Central Asian leaders forge new deals with Trump.
Here’s what happened at this year’s C5+1 meeting.
goodauthority.org/news/central...
Here’s what happened at this year’s C5+1 meeting.
goodauthority.org/news/central...
Central Asian leaders forge new deals with Trump
Here’s what happened at this year’s C5+1 meeting.
goodauthority.org
November 14, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Central Asian leaders forge new deals with Trump.
Here’s what happened at this year’s C5+1 meeting.
goodauthority.org/news/central...
Here’s what happened at this year’s C5+1 meeting.
goodauthority.org/news/central...
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
Interestingly, we observed a notable drop in Putin approval within our daily surveys of the Russian public during the month of October. Given that Putin approval has been highly stable for years, per our data, this may be a notable finding. Any ideas as to what may underly this shift?
November 8, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Interestingly, we observed a notable drop in Putin approval within our daily surveys of the Russian public during the month of October. Given that Putin approval has been highly stable for years, per our data, this may be a notable finding. Any ideas as to what may underly this shift?
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
We are looking forward to the first session of our new series this Fri. Oct. 10 at 5pm CET/11am ET. We have two papers about historical legacies in Estonia🇪🇪 from @isadesisto.bsky.social (Princeton) + Robert Lipinski (Oxford), and discussion from @krisztiszabo.bsky.social (RHUL, CEU). Come join!
We kick off next week w/ papers from our Estonia time-sharing survey:
1️⃣ "The Democratising Effects of the 1989 Baltic Way Demonstration," Robert Lipinski
2️⃣ “The Historical Determinants of Eastern European Solidarity with Ukraine," @isadesisto.bsky.social
➕ Discussion from @krisztiszabo.bsky.social!
1️⃣ "The Democratising Effects of the 1989 Baltic Way Demonstration," Robert Lipinski
2️⃣ “The Historical Determinants of Eastern European Solidarity with Ukraine," @isadesisto.bsky.social
➕ Discussion from @krisztiszabo.bsky.social!
October 8, 2025 at 6:57 PM
We are looking forward to the first session of our new series this Fri. Oct. 10 at 5pm CET/11am ET. We have two papers about historical legacies in Estonia🇪🇪 from @isadesisto.bsky.social (Princeton) + Robert Lipinski (Oxford), and discussion from @krisztiszabo.bsky.social (RHUL, CEU). Come join!
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
Up to 25,000 Cubans could soon be fighting for Russia.
It is reported that Cubans are promised about $2,000 per month - far more than they can earn at home. It is also possible that they are promised jobs in construction but then sent to the frontlines.
It is reported that Cubans are promised about $2,000 per month - far more than they can earn at home. It is also possible that they are promised jobs in construction but then sent to the frontlines.
October 8, 2025 at 7:29 AM
Up to 25,000 Cubans could soon be fighting for Russia.
It is reported that Cubans are promised about $2,000 per month - far more than they can earn at home. It is also possible that they are promised jobs in construction but then sent to the frontlines.
It is reported that Cubans are promised about $2,000 per month - far more than they can earn at home. It is also possible that they are promised jobs in construction but then sent to the frontlines.
My new piece analyzing Moldovan election results in Russian language version of Postimees (top Estonian daily newspaper): rus.postimees.ee/8337362/ot-p....
ОТ ПОЛИТОЛОГА ⟩ Парламентские выборы в Молдове: проевропейская партия получила большинство, но общество остается разделенным
В последнее воскресенье сентября в Молдове состоялись парламентские выборы. Изабель ДеСисто, аспирантка кафедры политологии Принстонского университета, пишет о том, что достигнутая при высокой явке по...
rus.postimees.ee
October 7, 2025 at 8:12 AM
My new piece analyzing Moldovan election results in Russian language version of Postimees (top Estonian daily newspaper): rus.postimees.ee/8337362/ot-p....
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
My latest: Experts’ rating of U.S. as a democracy in newest Bright Line Watch Survey fell from 67 out of 100 before the 2024 election to 55 in Feb and to 54 in Sep. Experts also now project that the U.S. democracy rating will drop further to 47 by 2027.
www.whitetoolong.net/p/all-the-br...
www.whitetoolong.net/p/all-the-br...
All the Bright Lines Behind Us
There is still time to act before the darkness fully overtakes us.
www.whitetoolong.net
October 6, 2025 at 5:29 PM
My latest: Experts’ rating of U.S. as a democracy in newest Bright Line Watch Survey fell from 67 out of 100 before the 2024 election to 55 in Feb and to 54 in Sep. Experts also now project that the U.S. democracy rating will drop further to 47 by 2027.
www.whitetoolong.net/p/all-the-br...
www.whitetoolong.net/p/all-the-br...
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
The GOP has a huge structural advantage for shutdown public opinion but may manage to screw that up too. Plus links! @dcinbox.bsky.social @normornstein.bsky.social @mirandayaver.bsky.social @isadesisto.bsky.social @dandrezner.bsky.social etc. goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/underminin...
Undermining The GOP's Advantage?
Plus all the links
goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com
October 5, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The GOP has a huge structural advantage for shutdown public opinion but may manage to screw that up too. Plus links! @dcinbox.bsky.social @normornstein.bsky.social @mirandayaver.bsky.social @isadesisto.bsky.social @dandrezner.bsky.social etc. goodpoliticsbadpolitics.substack.com/p/underminin...
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
Up to 5,000 Cuban fighters are actively participating in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported, citing an internal US State Department cable
reuters.com/world/americas…
reuters.com/world/americas…
October 6, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Up to 5,000 Cuban fighters are actively participating in Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported, citing an internal US State Department cable
reuters.com/world/americas…
reuters.com/world/americas…
Check out my new piece on Moldovan 🇲🇩 elections with @grigopop.bsky.social
Despite Russian meddling, Moldova’s pro-Europe party wins a majority.
Russia’s social media campaign fell short.
Read: goodauthority.org/news/despite...
Russia’s social media campaign fell short.
Read: goodauthority.org/news/despite...
Despite Russian meddling, Moldova’s pro-Europe party wins a majority
Russia’s social media campaign fell short.
goodauthority.org
October 5, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Check out my new piece on Moldovan 🇲🇩 elections with @grigopop.bsky.social
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
🚨 Why do people protest against authoritarian regimes even when facing extreme danger? 🚨
In our new paper on Romania's 1989 Revolution, we find that communities exposed to the communist Gulag showed 5x higher dissent levels.
doi.org/10.1177/0010...
1/🧵
In our new paper on Romania's 1989 Revolution, we find that communities exposed to the communist Gulag showed 5x higher dissent levels.
doi.org/10.1177/0010...
1/🧵
September 27, 2025 at 10:37 AM
🚨 Why do people protest against authoritarian regimes even when facing extreme danger? 🚨
In our new paper on Romania's 1989 Revolution, we find that communities exposed to the communist Gulag showed 5x higher dissent levels.
doi.org/10.1177/0010...
1/🧵
In our new paper on Romania's 1989 Revolution, we find that communities exposed to the communist Gulag showed 5x higher dissent levels.
doi.org/10.1177/0010...
1/🧵
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
In Russia, approval of Trump increased significantly leading up to and after the “Alaska Summit.” But in the past month, disapproval has crept back up to the level it was when Trump took office.
October 3, 2025 at 9:27 AM
In Russia, approval of Trump increased significantly leading up to and after the “Alaska Summit.” But in the past month, disapproval has crept back up to the level it was when Trump took office.
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
🥂 Another German Unity Day (3 Oct) is round the corner 🎉
Happy German Unity Day 🎉
That day of the year to share some maps we produced a few years back with @lukasmergele.bsky.social @woessmann.bsky.social
👉 www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
That day of the year to share some maps we produced a few years back with @lukasmergele.bsky.social @woessmann.bsky.social
👉 www.aeaweb.org/articles?id=...
October 2, 2025 at 4:55 PM
🥂 Another German Unity Day (3 Oct) is round the corner 🎉
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
In 2026, we'll reconvene on Jan 23 with "The Enemy of My (Historical) Enemy Is My Friend?: Evidence from the Wołyń Massacre" from @francescayton.bsky.social and @isadesisto.bsky.social + comments via Robert Lipinski
October 2, 2025 at 2:18 PM
In 2026, we'll reconvene on Jan 23 with "The Enemy of My (Historical) Enemy Is My Friend?: Evidence from the Wołyń Massacre" from @francescayton.bsky.social and @isadesisto.bsky.social + comments via Robert Lipinski
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
We kick off next week w/ papers from our Estonia time-sharing survey:
1️⃣ "The Democratising Effects of the 1989 Baltic Way Demonstration," Robert Lipinski
2️⃣ “The Historical Determinants of Eastern European Solidarity with Ukraine," @isadesisto.bsky.social
➕ Discussion from @krisztiszabo.bsky.social!
1️⃣ "The Democratising Effects of the 1989 Baltic Way Demonstration," Robert Lipinski
2️⃣ “The Historical Determinants of Eastern European Solidarity with Ukraine," @isadesisto.bsky.social
➕ Discussion from @krisztiszabo.bsky.social!
October 2, 2025 at 2:17 PM
We kick off next week w/ papers from our Estonia time-sharing survey:
1️⃣ "The Democratising Effects of the 1989 Baltic Way Demonstration," Robert Lipinski
2️⃣ “The Historical Determinants of Eastern European Solidarity with Ukraine," @isadesisto.bsky.social
➕ Discussion from @krisztiszabo.bsky.social!
1️⃣ "The Democratising Effects of the 1989 Baltic Way Demonstration," Robert Lipinski
2️⃣ “The Historical Determinants of Eastern European Solidarity with Ukraine," @isadesisto.bsky.social
➕ Discussion from @krisztiszabo.bsky.social!
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
Some updates from the Good Authority team on Ukraine 🇺🇦.
1) In Ukraine, fewer women are having children: goodauthority.org/news/in-ukra...
2) Rethinking how Europe can lead peacekeeping in Ukraine: goodauthority.org/news/rethink...
Read our latest on Ukraine at the links👆.
1) In Ukraine, fewer women are having children: goodauthority.org/news/in-ukra...
2) Rethinking how Europe can lead peacekeeping in Ukraine: goodauthority.org/news/rethink...
Read our latest on Ukraine at the links👆.
September 15, 2025 at 1:57 PM
Some updates from the Good Authority team on Ukraine 🇺🇦.
1) In Ukraine, fewer women are having children: goodauthority.org/news/in-ukra...
2) Rethinking how Europe can lead peacekeeping in Ukraine: goodauthority.org/news/rethink...
Read our latest on Ukraine at the links👆.
1) In Ukraine, fewer women are having children: goodauthority.org/news/in-ukra...
2) Rethinking how Europe can lead peacekeeping in Ukraine: goodauthority.org/news/rethink...
Read our latest on Ukraine at the links👆.
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
As talk of negotiations continues, ordinary Russians remain uncompromising. Around 40% say that troops should withdraw only after annexing part of Ukraine & regime change (i.e., ousting Zelensky). Only 10% support an unconditional, immediate withdrawal.
September 8, 2025 at 8:45 AM
As talk of negotiations continues, ordinary Russians remain uncompromising. Around 40% say that troops should withdraw only after annexing part of Ukraine & regime change (i.e., ousting Zelensky). Only 10% support an unconditional, immediate withdrawal.
Tere! I'm in Estonia 🇪🇪 at Uni of Tartu Skytte Institute for 2 months researching the intergenerational effects of Soviet repression. I'm interviewing Estonians whose family experienced deportation/other repression. Interested? Please DM me, email isabelledesisto@princeton.edu & share widely. Aitäh!
September 2, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Tere! I'm in Estonia 🇪🇪 at Uni of Tartu Skytte Institute for 2 months researching the intergenerational effects of Soviet repression. I'm interviewing Estonians whose family experienced deportation/other repression. Interested? Please DM me, email isabelledesisto@princeton.edu & share widely. Aitäh!
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
Ukrainians don’t think much of Putin’s ‘peace’ plan.
Our surveys from earlier this summer show overwhelming opposition to a Russian land grab.
See the data here: goodauthority.org/news/ukraini...
Our surveys from earlier this summer show overwhelming opposition to a Russian land grab.
See the data here: goodauthority.org/news/ukraini...
Ukrainians don’t think much of Putin’s ‘peace’ plan.
Our surveys from earlier this summer show overwhelming opposition to a Russian land grab.
goodauthority.org
August 26, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Ukrainians don’t think much of Putin’s ‘peace’ plan.
Our surveys from earlier this summer show overwhelming opposition to a Russian land grab.
See the data here: goodauthority.org/news/ukraini...
Our surveys from earlier this summer show overwhelming opposition to a Russian land grab.
See the data here: goodauthority.org/news/ukraini...
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
How has Russian public opinion shifted in the wake of the "Alaska Summit," which took place on August 15. One notable change: approval of Donald Trump has increased considerably from its all-time low at the beginning of the month.
August 25, 2025 at 7:37 PM
How has Russian public opinion shifted in the wake of the "Alaska Summit," which took place on August 15. One notable change: approval of Donald Trump has increased considerably from its all-time low at the beginning of the month.
Found this mug commemorating Kyiv’s 1500 anniversary (1982) in a thrift shop in Tartu, 🇪🇪!
August 25, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Found this mug commemorating Kyiv’s 1500 anniversary (1982) in a thrift shop in Tartu, 🇪🇪!
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
So Putin gets a red carpet welcome, a ride in the presidential limo, speaks first at the presser, frames the meeting as a successful talk among equals, while making absolutely no concession on the conduct or outcome of the war.
August 16, 2025 at 12:21 AM
So Putin gets a red carpet welcome, a ride in the presidential limo, speaks first at the presser, frames the meeting as a successful talk among equals, while making absolutely no concession on the conduct or outcome of the war.
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
'The world is behaving irrationally' - Putin's warm welcome in Alaska gets cold reaction in Ukraine
'The world is behaving irrationally' - Putin's warm welcome in Alaska gets cold reaction in Ukraine
In the absence of a deal, Ukrainians focused on the optics of Putin's visit to Trump in Alaska.
www.bbc.com
August 16, 2025 at 1:54 PM
'The world is behaving irrationally' - Putin's warm welcome in Alaska gets cold reaction in Ukraine
As the Trump-Putin meeting draws near, it's worth pointing out that although support for negotiations has been increasing steadily in Russia (see linked 🧵), Russians still want to keep the territories Russia already annexed & oust Zelenskyy - hardly a compromising position.
But this doesn't mean Russians are willing to give up much. Our data show that as approval for negotiations has been going up, willingness to compromise has been going down: the % who say they want to annex part of Ukraine & achieve regime change has grown since February 2025. 4/
August 13, 2025 at 6:29 PM
As the Trump-Putin meeting draws near, it's worth pointing out that although support for negotiations has been increasing steadily in Russia (see linked 🧵), Russians still want to keep the territories Russia already annexed & oust Zelenskyy - hardly a compromising position.
Reposted by Isabelle DeSisto 🇺🇦
Yup. that’s why I ended my piece that’s out today with this: “Trump already fooled us into this hope twice—once after the talks in Saudi Arabia in February and a second time in July, when he imposed this deadline. If he does it a third time, the shame will be on all of us.”
Trump claims there will be "very severe consequences" for Russia if they fail to stop the war. He doesn't want to say what they'll be but they will be severe. With wearying predictability, this wildly implausible claim is now the main headline on the BBC. 🧵
August 13, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Yup. that’s why I ended my piece that’s out today with this: “Trump already fooled us into this hope twice—once after the talks in Saudi Arabia in February and a second time in July, when he imposed this deadline. If he does it a third time, the shame will be on all of us.”
Check out my latest piece on the recent protests in Ukraine 🇺🇦. Includes some interesting figures based on surveys about corruption perceptions in Ukraine from 2015-24.
Ukrainians continue to champion the fight against corruption.
When Zelenskyy tried to undercut anti-corruption institutions, Ukrainians took to the streets in protest.
Read the story here: goodauthority.org/news/ukraini...
When Zelenskyy tried to undercut anti-corruption institutions, Ukrainians took to the streets in protest.
Read the story here: goodauthority.org/news/ukraini...
Ukrainians continue to champion the fight against corruption.
When Zelenskyy tried to undercut anti-corruption institutions, Ukrainians took to the streets in protest.
goodauthority.org
August 8, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Check out my latest piece on the recent protests in Ukraine 🇺🇦. Includes some interesting figures based on surveys about corruption perceptions in Ukraine from 2015-24.