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06 September, 2019



  • "PealtnĂ€gija" viis vaataja Eestis alaliselt asuvasse eriĂŒksuste salajasse baasi.



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Friday 
6. September
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"PealtnĂ€gija" viis vaataja Eestis alaliselt asuvasse eriĂŒksuste salajasse baasi
(ERR | ETV)
“Nii vĂ€lis- kui Eesti meedias on aastate jooksul spekuleeritud, et Balti riikidesse paigutati alaliselt USA eriĂŒksused, kuid alati lĂŒkati need kĂ”lakad sama kiirelt ĂŒmber. "PealtnĂ€gijal" kulus pea pool aastat ja vĂ€ga palju lĂ€birÀÀkimisi, kuni ĂŒhel kenal pĂ€eval avastasid saatetegijad end salajases baasis kusagil Eestis. Selle asukohta nad avaldada ei tohi.”
VÔi:







What It’s Like to Be Jewish in Estonia
(Chabad Org.)
“Eliyahu (Ilja) Ơmorgun, Ph.D., a 32-year-old native of Tallinn who lectures on human-computer interaction at Tallinn University and is a leader of the local Jewish community, offers details on this demographic turn of events.”

Eliyahu (Ilja) Ć morgun and his wife, Chaya, at their wedding




Rare ‘90s Photos Capture the Lives of the Young and Restless in Narva
(The Calvert Journal)
“An exhibition at the Estonian National Museum showcases more than 100 remarkable images of teens in post-industrial Narva skateboarding, smoking, and skiving off school amid the economic upheaval of the 90s.”



The Refugee Children of Geislingen
A Documentary By Helga Merits
[Screening: 14 Sep, 17:00 — 18:00 Estonian House, New York]



Russia: President’s party pulls local election disappearing act
(Politico)
“United Russia party candidates are standing as ‘independents’ 
 in an apparent bid to distance themselves from Putin’s increasingly unpopular party.”



Trailer: Russia’s Playbook for Disrupting Democracy
(New York Times - “The Weekly”)
[Watch on Sunday at 10 p.m. on FX and on Monday on Hulu.]
“
 many of the methods Moscow used back in 2007 to disrupt Estonian democracy are eerily similar to tactics Russian operatives used to hack American politics 
 “The Weekly” travels to Estonia, where our correspondent Matt Apuzzo pieces together clues hiding in plain sight, and he examines how vulnerable American democracy is to Russian hackers well-practiced in spreading disinformation, exploiting political differences and sowing chaos and mistrust.”





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Thursday 
5. September
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Bursting the Bubble: Russian A2/AD in the Baltic Sea Region
(FOI, Swedish Defence Research Agency)
“States with the ability to use a combination of sensors and long-range missiles to prevent adversaries from operating in an exclusion zone, or “bubble”, adjacent to their territory are said to possess anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities. This study examines Russia’s A2/AD systems and their implications for the Baltic Sea region. Much has in recent years been made of Russia’s new capabilities and the impact they might have on the ability of NATO member states to reinforce or defend the vulnerable Baltic states in case of crisis or war. On closer inspection, however, Russia’s capabilities are not quite as daunting, especially if potential countermeasures are factored in. In particular, surface-to-air missile systems currently create much smaller A2/AD bubbles than is often assumed and a number of countermeasures are possible.”





New Lithuanian president pledges increase in defence spending
(Emerging Europe)
“In talks with the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, President Gitanas Nausėda raised the issue of growing tensions with Russia and the security of the Baltic region, and pledged to increase defence spending.”






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China and the Baltics
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Chinese intelligence increasingly setting sights on Estonia
(Postimees)
“Security of vital infrastructure, including cyberspace, is one problematic area of EU-China relations, a European Commission strategy document concludes. Diplomatic and security sources confirm that Chinese intelligence is becoming more active in the region, whereas Beijing is mainly interested in EU and NATO topics.”


Hiina Propaganda Balti Riikide Vastu
(Postimees)
“Hongkongis asuva Hiina keskvalitsuse alla kuuluv ajaleht Wen Wei Po avaldas 24. augustil kolme Balti riigi iseseisvust mĂ”nitava artikli, kus muuhulgas öeldakse, et loodetud edu asemel jĂ€id Eesti, LĂ€ti ja Leedu virelusse ning elatustase on isegi tĂ€na veel madalam kui oli NĂ”ukogude ajal.”


The Golden Handcuffs of Chinese Investment
(re:Baltica)
“China’s investments in the Baltic countries are so far insignificant, but the Chinese have their eyes on large strategic infrastructure projects, developments that are simultaneously tempting and worrying to the Baltics.”



The Rough Face of China’s Soft Power
(re:Baltica)
“The objectives of China’s soft power in the Baltic states are to prevent the rise of uncomfortable foreign policy issues like autonomy for Tibet and to disseminate Beijing’s worldview through Confucius Institutes.”


Eesti vajab Hiina strateegiat
(Diplomaatia - mai 2019)
“Inspiratsiooni selleks vĂ”iks ammutada Soomelt, kes 2019. aasta algul avaldas Hiina ja Soome vahelise ĂŒhise tegevuskava ajavahemikuks 2019-20233, mis kĂ€tkeb endas konkreetseid  koostöövaldkondi ja eesmĂ€rke alates vĂ€lissuhetest ning kaubandusest kuni  hariduse ja keskkonnahoiuni.”


Trojan panda
The heavy hand of Chinese soft power
(Postimees | ERR)
“Even though the Baltic states have generally been friendly toward Tibetan politicians in exile, Chinese pressure and business opportunities offered by its vast market have taken precedent and brought about self-censorship in recent years.”
—


Chinese "soft power" in Baltic states
(Latvian Broadcasting)
"A student of the Confucius Institute at the University of Latvia, who did not want to be named, confirmed to Re:Baltica that teachers evaded questions about the sensitive political topics of China’s history. For example, when the student was interested in how and why Hong Kong’s administration model differed from China’s, the teacher said it did not relate to the study topic and, with that, the question was closed.” Latvia’s security services have been keeping an eye on the Confucius Institute for several years, the report says.”


The Confucius Institute at Tallinn University
(Tallinn University)
“Our mission is teaching Chinese language and introducing traditional Chinese culture to Estonia. We aim for better integration with humanities at Tallinn University and provide practical skills and knowledge in tourism and other businesses.”    [Innocent sounding in itself. - Aavo]


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Eesti andmesidevĂ”rk vaikib - kus on inimeste ĂŒle 900,000 euro?
(LÔuna Leht)
“Ahvatledes lootusega maale kiire internet saada, Ă€rgitas Eesti AndmesidevĂ”rk 31. maiks Ă€ra maksma 153 eurot, mida umbes 6000 inimest tegigi.”



Ilves to advise Greece minister on digitization
(Ekathimerini - 2. Sept.)
“Ilves will be a member of a committee of Greek and foreign experts who will prepare a blueprint for the digitization of Greece's public administration and advise the ministry.”





Brexit: The EU waits
(AP)
“As Brexit recriminations reached fever pitch in London Thursday, Britain’s European Union partners were keeping their distance. 
 Without any fundamental change of approach, they are showing little willingness to grant another extension to Britain’s departure from the bloc.”





























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Has Europe reached peak populism?
(Politico-Europe)
“A series of events and votes in Italy, Britain, France, Spain, Austria, Slovakia and the Czech Republic suggest the tide could be turning against the anti-establishment nationalist movements that have upended politics across the Continent, leaving the barbarians howling in frustration at the gates.”






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Wednesday 
4. September
__________



Prime Minister: No place for enmity and hatred in Estonian politics
(ERR)
“When asked about whether he regretted entering a coalition with EKRE, which became fact in late April following weeks of negotiations, Ratas noted that while it had not been without its challenges, it was in effect democracy in action.”
—
"This coalition has certainly been very eventful and surprising for certain sections of society. However, I think in addition to all the worldviews and principles, what really matters in Estonian society is that the 'supreme power' (i.e. the electorate-ed.) gets to choose different parties, be it in opposition or coalition. I think that is best for Estonia," Ratas said.”




Propaganda: Russia Claims Baltic States Never Turned Democratic
(Polygraph)
“On the eve of the 80th anniversary of the outbreak of the Second World War on September 1, 1939, Russia’s Foreign Ministry tweeted out an extract from a joint report titled "The Heritage of WWII in the Baltic States”. 
—
That extract read: “In the early 90s the Baltic nations gained their national independence. This event raised hopes & aspirations the Baltic Soviet Republics would turn into modern democratic & rule-of-law states, which, unfortunately, never came true.”



Moskva: Poola Teise maailmasĂ”ja ĂŒritused muutusid pimedusejĂŒngrite sabatiks
(ERR)
“Poola korraldatud Teise maailmasĂ”ja alguse 80. aastapĂ€eva mĂ€lestusĂŒritused on ere nĂ€ide ajaloo ĂŒmberkirjutamisest, lausus Vene vĂ€lisministeeriumi pressiesindaja Maria Zahharova kolmapĂ€eval.”



Kremlin’s Approach to World War II Underlines Its Final Rejection of Path Democratic Russia Pursued
(Window on Eurasia)
“Moscow’s words about 1939 now are far more significant and far more depressing than many appear willing to acknowledge, as important as such acknowledgement is for the future of the country.”



Finland: Free visas introduced for certain kinds of travel to Russia
(Yle)
“(Finnish) Tourists arriving by car, bus, boat or plane will soon be able to visit the Saint Petersburg area without costly visas.”



Opinion: Why I Talked to RT
by Mark Galeotti - The Moscow Times
“If we in the West are in an information war with Russia, then why would we abandon “territory” to the other side? The usual criticism is that by going on RT I somehow legitimate it. Apart from the fact that I find it flattering but implausible to think that my participation makes any real difference, the fact is that RT already has its audience, and they are attracted to it not by the credentials of its guests but its very upstart, outsider, counter-conventional status.”
—
“The people we need to talk to are those who don’t agree with us, who don’t share our sense of the world. Maybe we can convince them, maybe not, but that is not the real issue. 
”



Russians Begin to Consider Life Without Putin
(Foreign Policy)
“The longest-serving ruler since Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin, Putin has managed to benefit from high oil prices, antagonism with the West, and his promise to restore Russia’s greatness to maintain his popularity, sideline rivals, and decimate the opposition. But after 20 years in power, the potency of these approaches has been spent, and the Kremlin appears to be struggling to find a new rallying cry as the country embarks on the road to 2024.” 
—
“This is a symptom of their other tools not working,” said Andrei Kolesnikov, a senior fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Center. “They have no new ideas.” 






__________

Tuesday 
3. September
__________


Interview: Kusti Salm
Director of the National Defense Investments Center
(Postimees)
“You cannot maintain national defense on a loan.”



Arvatav Vene allveelaeva sidepoi jÀi piirivalvuritel Hiiumaal leidmata
(ERR)
“KĂ€rdla politseijaoskonna juht Moonika Raudsepp ĂŒtles, et saadetud pildi pĂ”hjal on alust arvata, et tegu vĂ”ib olla sonarpoiga, millel vĂ”ib olla militaarne eesmĂ€rk 
”





Want a charming Nordic city? Try Estonia’s Tallinn.
(Washington Post)
“A two-hour ferry ride from Helsinki sits a port city that’s as Nordic as a city can be (except for its affordability) without being in a Scandinavian country.”



Moskva proteste saadavad linnapea ja Kremli suhete pingestumine
(ERR)
“Moskva linnaduuma ehk linnavolikogu valimiskampaania tekitas pealinnas suure protestilaine, sest vĂ”im ei lubanud valimistele opositsioonikandidaate.”



Latvian locates uncle's grave in uncharted Siberian gulag
(Latvian Broadcasting)
“More than 70 years after the June 1941 and March 1949 deportations, hitherto unknown settlements and mass graves of Latvian deportees are still being found in the vast Siberian plains.”



For these Latvian-Americans, summer is for learning about their roots
(PRI)
“For many World War II refugees, keeping the culture of their homeland alive in their new countries was critical.”


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