✔︎ 2017 Lennart Meri Conference: "Darkest Just Before the Dawn? The War on Trust and How to Win It," May 12-14.
✔︎ U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis visited the Baltics
✔︎ Eurovisioon: Eesti ei pääsenud finaali
NASA Earth Observatory Image via Wikimedia Commons:
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Friday 12. May
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- Lennart Meri Conference in Tallinn
- Kaljulaid: EL-iga pole midagi fundamentaalselt valesti
(ERR)
"Eesti kogemus majanduskriisist oli see, et väljusime sellest tugevamana ja sama kehtib ka EL-i kohta, näiteks Schengeni viisavaba ruumi küsimuses. Oleme jõudnud arusaamani, et välispiiri tuleb tugevdada ja et informatsiooni tuleb jagada."
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| Screenshot from live feed - Meri konverentsi avapaneelis esinesid Mogherini, Kaljulaid ja Letta (ERR)http://www.err.ee/595391/meri-konverentsi-avapaneelis-esinevad-mogherini-kaljulaid-ja-letta |
- Meri konverents eeldab esinejailt intellektuaalset iseseisvust
(ERR)
- Kaljulaid, Ratas met EU high representative Federica Mogherini
(ERR)
- Mogherini ERR-ile: EL-i suurim väljakutse on enesekindluse puudus
(ERR)
- Russia Is Waging Non-Kinetic War on West
(BNS Interview with Brian Whitmore)
"They are trying to sow doubt, distrust, and confusion. They are trying to cause us to lose faith in our institutions, in our democracy. Toward this end, they are using not only cyberattacks, but also disinformation, corruption, organized crime, and other active measures. I many ways they have weaponized globalization. They are using the instruments of democracies and open societies as a weapon against democracies and open societies.”
—
"Putin and his cronies see the EU as a threat to their regime’s viability. They are seeking to discredit the EU, they are seeking to undermine it, and they are ultimately hoping to destroy it. And I expect them to continue to do so for the foreseeable future."
- Six NATO ships arrive in Tallinn | NATO laevad saabusid Tallinnasse
(ERR | Postimees)
--
—
- Reportedly F-35’s disabled their stealth capabilities when they visited Eesti last month
(Business Insider)
"Russia operates the same ground and air assets in Syria as it does in eastern Europe, near Estonia, where the F-35 recently appeared wearing radar reflectors. With the reflectors throwing off and exaggerating the radar cross section of the F-35, the US could be preventing Russia from testing its defenses against the US's newest weapons system."
- The EU as Portrayed by Kremlin Propaganda
By Kristina Potapova
(Martins Center for European Studies)
Partial Summary: "The EU is portrayed as an aggressive and expansionist entity that wants to destroy Russia, while at the same time it is depicted as a weak, ‘decadent’ and ‘un-Christian’ union that cannot cope with global challenges. On the other hand, the Kremlin’s main caveat in doing so, is that Russia’s success is inherently connected with the failure of the West and democracy."
- How France and Germany Can Revive the EU
(Foreign Affairs)
"On May 7, Macron was elected French president, taking 66 percent of the vote to Le Pen’s 34 percent. His presidency offers a rare chance to revive the French-German relationship just when Europe needs it most. Together, Berlin and Paris can strengthen the EU and the eurozone, rally the continent against illiberalism, and better defend European interests on the world stage.”
—
“… only 38 percent of French citizens view the EU favorably, 50 percent of Germans do."
- How to Reset the Franco-German Balance
(Carnegie Europe)
"France needs to change itself and build a real European political union to underpin the euro."
- The dangerous tool of Russian military exercises
(CEPA)
"These days, pundits are increasingly speculating on what Russia’s next large-scale military exercise, code-named Zapad-2017, may bring. … (it’s) set to take place both in Belarus and in western Russia (including the Kaliningrad oblast) and might be among the largest since 1991. “
—
"As a possible indicator of Zapad’s size, Russia has ordered more than 4,000 railcars to transport its troops. Based on this, up to two Russian armored/mechanized divisions (around 30,000 military personnel) could be deployed to Belarusian territory. Along with troops already moved there, the anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) assets brought to Kaliningrad over the last few years, troops traditionally flown into the area during such exercises, and those stationed along Russia’s border with the Baltic states (numbering three new Russian divisions in the Western Military District), it’s clear that Russia can, if it so decides, easily exert significant pressure on its neighbors. Thanks to this military build-up, all under the pretext of the Zapad exercise, Russia’s options are many. It could, with little or no warning, launch a limited or provocative hybrid operation (to see what happens), test responses on NATO’s eastern flank, or present a security threat to Ukraine where the Russo-Ukraine conflict remains in full swing.”
—
"Russian military exercises have become a dangerous tool, politically and militarily. "
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Thursday 11. May
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- Eurovisioon: Eesti ei pääsenud finaali
(Postimees | Delfi | ERR)
—
—
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✔︎ EU demands urgent talks with US over proposed airline laptop ban to some European airports
(Politico-Europe)
- U.S. likely to expand airline laptop ban to Europe
(Reuters-Uk)
"The Trump administration is likely to expand a ban on laptops on commercial aircraft to include some European countries.”
—
“… Homeland Security Secretary John Kelly "hasn't made a decision but we continue to evaluate the threat environment and have engaged in discussions with airline representatives and other stakeholders about the threat."
- Jüri Ratas: No reason why May 9 should be celebrated in Estonia as it is in Russia
(ERR)
"Ratas expressed hope that his fellow party members would no longer participate in events surrounding the celebration of the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany."
- IT-firma Nortal tegi USAs suure tehingu
(Äripäev)
"Nortali juhatuse liikme Oleg Shvaikovsky sõnul on tegu Nortali jaoks vaieldamatult kõige mastaapsema projektiga e-kaubanduse valdkonnas, „On põnev ja vastutusrikas väljakutse luua terviklik ja kõikehõlmav e-kaubanduse lahendus Põhja-Ameerika ühele suuremale telekomifirmale, mis hakkab teenindama iga-aastaselt umbes 100 miljonit lõppkasutajat,“ teatas Shvaikovsky pressiteate vahendusel."
- Nortal secures major U.S. contract
(Postimees)
"Estonian software and business consultation company Nortal has entered the world's biggest market – Estonians' software is set to reach the clients of one America's leading telecommunications firms. While Nortal is not allowed to disclose the name of its new client, the company said it is one of three leading cell phone operators in the U.S.” [Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile]
—
[NB! Not to be confused with the collapsed international telecoms group Nortel Networks which went into bankruptcy in 2009.]
- Nortal Press Release
- Fake news about Summer Shield XIV exercise
(Latvian Ministry of Defense)
"Media have recently been flooded with fake news as there has been a growing number of false reports on other NATO activities and different situations involving troops of allied forces. … Ministry of Defence would like to remind that the aim of such propaganda is to undermine public trust in NATO, and troops of allied forces, through use of unverified information affecting hearts and minds of the people. NATO Multinational battle group led by Canada, which is expected to arrive in Latvia this June, may also become a target of similar false accusations."
- Backlog of 50,000 Russian visa applications swamp Finnish authorities
(Yle)
"The previous slowdown in visa applications from across the eastern border can be explained by the slump of the ruble, brought on by a sharp drop in oil prices and western sanctions. When the ruble was weak, it was simply too expensive for Russian residents to travel abroad. Now that the Russian currency has regained some of its value, people are again free to explore. … Fortunately, Finland is close by, has several products that can't be found on Russian shop shelves, and transport costs to get here aren't too expensive."
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- Off Topic -
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- Russia’s White House Oval Office Victory Dance
(Politico)
"The cozy meeting between President Trump and Russia’s foreign minister came at Vladimir Putin’s insistence. … Lavrov was right where he has always wanted to be Wednesday - mocking the United States while being welcomed in the Oval Office by the president himself."
- Trump Bars U.S. Press, but Not Russia’s, at Oval Office Meeting With Russian Officials
(New York Times)
"Within minutes of the meeting, the Foreign Ministry had posted photographs on Twitter of Mr. Trump and Mr. Lavrov smiling and shaking hands. The Russian embassy posted images of the president grinning and gripping hands with the ambassador. Tass, Russia’s official news agency, released more photographs of the three men laughing together in the Oval Office. … The result was a public relations coup of sorts for Russia and Mr. Lavrov in particular, who not only received a collegial Oval Office welcome from the president, but the photographic evidence to prove it."
--
"Colin H. Kahl, the former national security adviser to Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr., took to Twitter to pose what he called a “deadly serious” question:
“Was it a good idea to let a Russian government photographer & all their equipment into the Oval Office?”
--
"David S. Cohen, the former deputy director of the C.I.A. during the Obama administration, responded:
“No, it was not.”
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Wednesday 10. May
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- Mattis Goes to the Baltics
(Real Clear Defense)
"Before becoming Secretary of Defense Mattis used to say: 'I do not write policy, I just execute the last 600 meters of it'. Secretary Mattis now finds himself in the position of being able to write that strategy for American and NATO policy planners. Foremost on his agenda in Vilnius will be deciding how NATO and the U.S. should react to or even counter the large-scale Zapad 2017 Russian military exercises in neighboring Belarus in September that will involve over 75,000 men and the elite Russian tank force known as the Tamanskaia Division."
- Mattis kiitis Balti riike kaitsekulutuste tõstmise eest
(ERR)
"USA kaitseminister kinnitas Leetu paigutatud heidutuspataljoniga kohtudes, et NATO on piirkonnas kohal, et kellelgi ei tekiks vale muljet ja et kõik mõistaksid, et allianss on ühtne ning vastastikuse kaitse põhimõte kehtib. Mattis rõhutas, et kogu Balti riikidesse paigutatud sõjaline jõud on kaitseotstarbeline. "Siin pole midagi ründavat," märkis ta."
- U.S. Criticizes Russian Buildup In Baltics, May Temporarily Deploy Patriot Missiles
(RFERL)
"U.S. defense officials were cited by Western news agencies as raising the possibility that a Patriot missile battery could be deployed to the Baltic region during NATO exercises this summer. The drills, named Tobruk Legacy, focus on air defense. The Patriot is a mobile air-defense system designed to intercept aircraft, cruise missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles."
- Suurtükiväelased valmistusid lahinglaskmistel Kevadtormiks
(Postimees)
"Suurtükiväelased andsid enne Kevadtormiga liitumist viimase lihvi väljaõppele keskpolügoonil toimunud õppusel Turmtuli."
- U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Lithuania
(ERR)
“… the United States as well as NATO’s contribution to the security of the Baltic states was steadfast."
- Masendav meenutus Teise maailmasõja pommitamisest Tallinnas, Narvas, Tartus
(Delfi)
"Kuivõrd mõningad 9. maiga seotud väljaütlemised, mis justkui sõjakoledusi pisendasid öeldes, et "pomme kaela ei langenud", on pigem nõutukstegevad, tasub ehk korraks meenutada õudusi ja koledusi, mida Teise maailmasõja ajal meie esivanematel tuli üle elada."
- Patustanud liitlassõdurile on erireeglid
(Postimees)
- Special rules for allied offenders
(Postimees)
- Finland: Poster child of migrant relocation
(EU Observer)
"Finland has already relocated 1,433 asylum seekers from Greece and Italy, fulfilling 69 percent of its quota."
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Tuesday 9. May
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- Rahvahulgad 9. mai puhul pronkssõduri juures
(Postimees | ERR)
"Keskpäevaks olid juba suuremad rahvahulgad kalmistu enda alla haaranud ning nelkide kuhi üha kerkis. Veteranide ja nende õnnitlejate seas võis kohata poliitikutest veel europarlamendi saadikut Yana Toomi ja keskerakondlasest riigikogulast Olga Ivanovat. Kohal olid ka meediakanalid oma kaamerate ja mikrofonidega, teiste seas propagandakanal Sputnik."
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- Intervjuu: Oudekki Loone
(ERR video)
"Riigikogu keskerakondlasest liige Oudekki Loone teatas kolmapäeval, et tal on kahju, et tema öeldu Eesti pommitamisest jättis inimestele täiesti vale mulje, sest intervjuus pidas ta silmas sõjakoleduste lõppu nii Eestis kui Euroopas."
- Center Party MP reprimanded after granting interview to Sputnik
(ERR)
“Olga Ivanova gave the Estonian portal of Russian state news service Sputnik an interview on Tuesday. Ivanova was present at the Bronze Soldier monument at Tallinn’s military cemetery, along with a small crowd and Red Army veterans celebrating the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany."
- Russians hold first-ever Victory Day parade in Helsinki
(Yle)
"One procession went from the Sibelius Monument to a Russian Orthodox church in Töölö, Helsinki, while another took place in Porkkala …”
--
"Victory Day is traditionally a huge event and a national holiday in Russia, with some 14,000 soldiers and more than a hundred military vehicles involved in the Moscow parade. Even so, Finland's large Russian community has not hitherto felt it was necessary to hold commemorations in Finland."
- Lumine 9. mai Saaremaal |
Snow in May on Saaremaa
(Postimees | Meiemaa)
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| Foto: Valmar Voolaid |
- ÖselBirch: global Estonian family markets birch water to the world from Saaremaa
(Estonian World)
"The company, called ÖselStuff (Ösel being the Germanic name of the island of Saaremaa) and operating under the brand, ÖselBirch, is run by three sisters and a brother who are all from Saaremaa, but of whom two live abroad."
- ÖselBirch Kickstarter
- Estonian gothic: inside the dark, folkloric world of Rainer Sarnet’s November
(Calvert Journal - 26. April)
“Estonian director Rainer Sarnet turns to his nation's folk legends for inspiration in eery new feature November. The Calvert Journal spoke to him at the film's international premiere at New York's Tribeca Film Festival."
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Monday 8. May
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- Peterburi mereväeparaad jäeti USA sõjalaeva lähenemise tõttu ära
(Postimees)
"Balti laevastiku ametnik teatas, et elanikel ei ole põhjust muret tunda. Tema sõnul on säärane laevade lahinguvalmidusse seadmine võimaliku ohu korral tavaline taktika."
- Eestlase foto pääses maineka teadusfotode konkursi võitjate sekka
(Postimees)
"Pildi sündimise ajal oli Palo Hiina uurimislaeva Xue Long pardal."
- Science on camera: Timo Palo - 'photographing fragility'
(Nature)
- Tere tulemast Eesti kõige tähtsamasse majja
(ERR - multimedia)
- Kaitseväe õppusel Kevadtorm on ligi 9,000 osalejat
(ERR)
- Annual ‘Spring Storm’ exercise begins
(ERR)
[Nearly 9,000 will participate.]
- Could US F-35s and Special Ops Forces Stop a Russian Invasion?
(Scout)
- Why Poland Wants Container Camps for Asylum Seekers
(Foreign Affairs)
"Earlier this month, the Polish government proposed the adoption of a controversial Hungarian policy: the construction of so-called container camps to detain arriving asylum seekers while their claims are assessed. The move, which would put camps near Poland’s border with Belarus, would risk violating both EU and international law, yet the response of EU member states has so far been muted.”
—
"It is still unclear how the Polish container camps would actually operate, and what safeguards would be in place to ensure that individuals are not mistreated. But existing practice does not bode well. Reports from Human Rights Watch and the Polish Commissioner for Human Rights, among others, have highlighted that many of those arriving on the Polish border with Belarus have been summarily turned away after a perfunctory assessment, and many have been denied the opportunity to make a claim for asylum altogether. Of the 60–80 daily arrivals during the winter months, just one or two have been allowed into Poland."
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- Russia -
"Trust No One"
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- Color photos show everyday life in Soviet Russia through American eyes
(Timeline)
- ‘Putin’s GULAG More Horrible than Stalin’s,’ Researchers Say
(Window on Eurasia)
"The Russian penal facilities in Chelyabinsk oblast, they say, are “known among thousands of convicts as ‘the gestapo.’” They will do almost anything to avoid being sent there, apparently including taking their own lives lest they fall victim to the tortures there that are so horrific that it is difficult to imagine exist in the 21st century, even in Russia."
- Russian Authorities Appear to Deem Original Historical Research Dangerous
(Eurasianet)
"History is now such a sensitive subject in Russia that education officials have disrupted a prestigious competition for high school students, cautioning that doing original research and writing about the Soviet past threatens to turn children into “extremists.”
- Open Russia Activist Reflects After 10 Days In Jail
(RFERL)
- Confessions of a Former Kremlin TV Reporter
(Coda)
"Pinned to the wall of our central newsroom was a sheet of paper with the words Crimea: not ‘annexation,’ but ‘reunification.’ These were the terms TV anchors and reporters were told to use while covering the Crimean annexation."
- Russia’s meddling in the French election backfired spectacularly
(Quartz)
“The Russians have messed up badly—just as Putin did in ruining his relationship with Germany,” (Mark) Galeotti says. “Now the two crucial European nations have been lost to Russia. … hopes that France will be the weak link in the EU’s relationship with Russia are dashed.”
- French Voters Defy Putin’s Meddling
(New York Times)
“In France the battle is lost, the war is not,” wrote Alexander Dugin, a central philosopher of the nationalist right who also lectures periodically in France. “Transnational (and transgender) elites defeated the people.”
—
"Outside the ranks of Kremlin acolytes, however, political analysts aimed their criticism directly at Mr. Putin’s foreign policy, saying it was time to recognize that Russian attempts to influence elections abroad, including in the United States, were a disaster and damaging Russian interests.”
—
"Elsewhere in the Russian media there was some straightforward analysis of Mr. Macron’s prospects, including his desire to strengthen the European Union and to institute broad economic change."
--
"On the opposite end of the spectrum were those who argued that Mr. Putin had not only failed to help elect a candidate sympathetic to Russia but, as in the United States and elsewhere, was effectively turning both politicians and the public against Russia."
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