Kaisa Alliksaar

Prague

Social Media Producer at Radio Free Europe

Social Media Producer @rferl

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Articles

What Do US Tariffs Mean For You?

2 weeks ago | rferl.org | Reid Standish |Ajla Obradovic |Kaisa Alliksaar

The URL has been copied to your clipboardThe code has been copied to your clipboard. If you're a company that exports to the US -- like a car manufacturer or a whiskey distillery — suddenly your goods got way more expensive. That means fewer sales, less revenue, and potential job cuts.
Russia Recruits Cuban Mercenaries, One Ended Up Prisoner Of War

2 months ago | rferl.org | Valeria Yehoshyna |Kaisa Alliksaar

Cuban Frank Dario Jarrosay Manfuga is now a prisoner of war in Ukraine, captured while fighting for the Russian Army. He claims he was deceived into going to Russia with the promise of a construction job. His story is part of a larger pattern of how Russia might recruit foreigners.
Explainer: Where's The Russian Outrage?

Jan 21, 2025 | rferl.org | Mike Eckel |Kaisa Alliksaar |Will Tizard

More than 750,000 Russian soldiers have been killed and wounded since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly 3 years ago. Inside Russia, though, there's silence: no outrage, no protests, no public criticism. Why is that?
How Did An African Mercenary Die Fighting For Russia Against Ukraine?

Jan 17, 2025 | rferl.org | Kaisa Alliksaar |Maja Zivanovic |Will Tizard

Derrick Ngamana wanted a better future for his family, his brother said. So he joined Russia's military fighting Ukraine in exchange for $4,200. Then his family in the Central African Republic got a text in Russian: "Hello. Derrick is dead."
Tehran Releases German-Iranian Activist Nahid Taghavi

Jan 13, 2025 | rferl.org | Kian Sharifi |Abubakar Siddique |Kaisa Alliksaar |Will Tizard

Nahid Taghavi, a dual German-Iranian national, has returned toGermany after four years of imprisonment in Iran as a new round of nuclear negotiations between three major European countries and Tehran is set to resume. Taghavi's daughter, Mariam Claren, posted on social media on January 14 a picture of herself embracing her mother at what appeared to be a German airport with a caption saying "It's over.
Key Trump Adviser Blasts Iran At Paris Opposition Gathering

Jan 12, 2025 | rferl.org | Kian Sharifi |Abubakar Siddique |Kaisa Alliksaar |Will Tizard

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's incoming special envoy for Russia and Ukraine, while attending an Iranian opposition event in Paris, called for the return of "maximum pressure" against Tehran to push it to allow more democracy and to cease support for extremist elements in the Middle East.
Swiss Demand Answers After Death Of Man In Iranian Prison

Jan 10, 2025 | rferl.org | Kian Sharifi |Abubakar Siddique |Kaisa Alliksaar |Russian Drones

Swiss authorities have called on Tehran to provide full details on the death of a 64-year-old Swiss national in an Iranian prison following his arrest last month on allegations of spying. “Switzerland is demanding that the Iranian authorities provide detailed information on the reasons for his arrest and a full investigation into the circumstances of his death,” Foreign Ministry spokesman Valentin Clivaz told RFE/RL in an e-mail on January 10.
Election of New Lebanese President Signals Iran's Waning Influence

Jan 10, 2025 | rferl.org | Kian Sharifi |Abubakar Siddique |Kaisa Alliksaar |Bita Bakhtiari

Lebanese lawmakers have elected army chief Joseph Aoun as the country’s new president, ending a two-year gridlock in a clear sign of the weakening of Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed political party and military force that had scuttled past efforts to name a president. Lawmakers from Hezbollah, which is a U.S.-designated terrorist group, and its ally Amal had for two years obstructed attempts to elect a president by walking out of the parliament, preventing it from reaching a quorum.
Iran In 'Critical Situation' After Punishing Year At Home And Abroad

Jan 10, 2025 | rferl.org | Kian Sharifi |Abubakar Siddique |Kaisa Alliksaar |Bita Bakhtiari

Iran is weaker and more vulnerable than it has been in years after suffering a series of major blows. During a punishing 2024, Tehran saw its regional influence diminished, its military deterrence against archfoes Israel and the United States weakened, and its economy languish. Experts say the Islamic republic has tough decisions to make in the year ahead as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office and the nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers expires.
Swiss Citizen Dies In Iran After Being Accused Of Spying

Jan 9, 2025 | rferl.org | Abubakar Siddique |Kaisa Alliksaar |Kian Sharifi |Bita Bakhtiari

A Swiss national who was accused of spying by Tehran was found dead in prison in what officials say was a suicide. The Mizan news website, which is affiliated with Iran's judiciary, said the Swiss citizen had been "arrested by security agencies for espionage and his case was under investigation" when he took his own life at the prison in the eastern city of Semnan on January 9.