Democracy Versus Nation Branding in Estonia 

- By Joseph M. Ellis, FPRI - 10. Dec. 2020

“For years, the international attention paid to the “tiny Baltic nation” of Estonia was overwhelmingly positive. After pulling itself out of the doldrums of their Soviet past, Estonia embarked on a new direction, emphasizing open markets, liberal democracy, technological expertise, and a Western-oriented, pro-European outlook. …”

—

The news coming from Estonia in the last few weeks, however, has been more a source of heartburn for much of the country rather than a source of pride. Following the election of Joe Biden as incoming president of the United States, Mart Helme of EKRE — a right-wing populist political party and current member of Estonia’s coalition government — remarked on a radio program in Estonia that Biden was a “corrupt scumbag.” Helme went on to say that incumbent US President Donald Trump “will win eventually … maybe even bloodshed but justice will win in the end.”

—

“Until the arrival of EKRE on the political scene four years ago, Estonia had a fairly consistent messaging centered around markets, education, and technology and innovation. … Estonia wanted desperately to escape its Soviet past, and settled on education, computing, and technology in the mid-1990s. It helped, of course, that one of the greatest champions of such a program — Toomas Hendrik Ilves — would go on to be president of Estonia.”

—

“But nation branding, like any good marketing campaign, is built around a consistent message. What happens if the message you want to distribute is being buried by less than flattering portrayals of your country? This is the space where democratic politics confronts nation branding.”

https://www.fpri.org/article/2020/12/democracy-versus-nation-branding-in-estonia/

Latest COVID cases in Baltics: 

- 358 in Estonia

- 680 in Latvia

- 3,066 in Lithuania

(BNN)

https://bnn-news.com/latest-covid-19-cases-in-baltics-680-in-latvia-3-066-in-lithuania-358-in-estonia-219719

“Estonia COVID Info | Eesti Koroonakaart.”

“Koroonaviiruse andmestik.” - Eesti Terviseamet

“Uuest nädalast suletakse kõik koolid.” - Postimees

“The Geopolitics of COVID-19.” - Spiegel International

“Leedu jõudis nakatumisnäitajaga Euroopa tippu.” - ERR

“The Dangers of Vaccine Disillusionment.” - Foreign Affairs

“Vaid pooled soomlastest on valmis end koroonaviiruse vastu vaktsineerima.” - ERR

“Krista Fischer koroonapiirangute ootuses: kas me tõesti ootame plahvatust? - Postimees

“Kommunikatsiooniekspert: valitsus politiseerib viirust puudutavad teemad.” - ERR

“Estonia's infection rate surpasses UK, France and Germany.” - ERR

“Distrust of the government is so widespread that 59 percent of Russians say they have no intention of getting a shot.” - New York Times

“I definitely recommend continuing with distance learning, says Estonian Education, Research Minister.” - BNN

“Koroonamudeldaja: positiivse stsenaariumi järgi on jõuludel haiglas 350 inimest.” - ERR

— Friday 11. December —

Doktoritöö uurib suure põgenemise väikeseid paate

(Novaator - 17. november)

“Ehkki mitmed Teise maailmasõja põgenikelainega kaasnevad teemad on uurijatelt tähelepanu saanud, pole protsessi käigus tekkinud ainelise pärandi kohta kuigi palju teada. Mirja Arnshavi tõukaski tegudele soov selgitada välja, kui palju põgenikepaate Rootsis veel alles on, millises seisundis need on, kus neid leida võib ja kas neil on ka mingi roll põgenemisega seotud mälukultuuris.”

https://novaator.err.ee/1159898/doktoritoo-uurib-suure-pogenemise-vaikeseid-paate

President Kaljulaid applying to become the chief executive of OECD

(ERR)

“The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is an intergovernmental economic organisation with 37 member countries, founded in 1961 to stimulate economic progress and world trade.”

https://news.err.ee/1204747/kaljulaid-s-hearing-for-oecd-top-job-takes-place-friday-afternoon

EU leaders sign off on higher 2030 climate goals

(Politico | New York Times | Guardian)

“The agreement calls for European Union countries to cut their collective greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent from 1990 levels, a more substantial reduction than previously proposed. … Agreeing to boost emissions cuts to 55 percent was mostly unthinkable just a year ago.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-leaders-agree-to-cut-emissions-55-percent-by-2030/

—

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/world/europe/eu-climate-emissions.html?action=click&module=Latest&pgtype=Homepage

—

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/11/eu-leaders-reach-deal-to-cut-emissions-by-at-least-55-by-end-of-decade

“Experts say the Paris agreement changed the climate on climate.” - CBC

Russian Disinformation in Latvia

(Warsaw Institute)

“Moscow’s propaganda is not limited to the Russian language channels, nor is it just a Latvia’s problem. In fact, it is a threat to the whole NATO’s Eastern flank.”

https://warsawinstitute.org/russian-disinformation-latvia/

Mysterious monolith pops up in Savonlinna, eastern Finland

(Yle)

“The monolith was first noticed on Thursday on a rocky hillside above the city's iconic 15th-century Olavinlinna Castle. Similar gleaming columns have appeared and disappeared since November 13 in the US states of Utah, California and Texas as well as in France, Romania and on England’s Isle of Wight.”

https://yle.fi/uutiset/osasto/news/mysterious_monolith_pops_up_in_savonlinna_eastern_finland/11691927

Russian Communist Party Is Now Following the GOP Playbook on COVID

By Anna Nemtsova, Daily Beast

“… the rank-and-file in Russia’s Communist Party, the direct successor of the once giant Soviet party, have become the most visible coronavirus deniers and anti-vaxx agitators in Russia. Rising leaders in Russia’s largest opposition party have taken up the issue refusing to wear masks, downplaying social distancing, dismissing quarantine plans and even insisting they will not take Russia’s own vaccine.”

https://www.thedailybeast.com/russian-communist-party-is-now-following-the-gop-playbook-on-covid?ref=author

— Thursday 10. December —

PPA kriisireserv hakkab formeeruma

(Postimees)

“Järgmise aasta lõpuks tahab riik PPA kriisireservi värvata 300 inimest.”

https://leht.postimees.ee/7130694/ppa-kriisireserv-hakkab-formeeruma?_ga=2.32178110.1853410567.1607489437-2077899856.1606795789

Valitsus on viiruse teises laines totaalselt läbi kukkunud

(Jevgeni Ossinovski - ERR Arvamus)

“Ossinovski (SDE) nimetab Eesti valitsuse tegevust koroonakriisi teises laines süsteemituks sussilohistamiseks ja totaalseks läbikukkumiseks.”

https://www.err.ee/1200346/jevgeni-ossinovski-valitsus-on-viiruse-teises-laines-totaalselt-labi-kukkunud

“Estonia's response to virus second wave criticised by former health minister.” - BNN

Pro-Kremlin ‘RT’ Mocks Estonian Border Fence

(RT)

“From what the fence might be providing protection, the minister didn’t make clear. On Tuesday, Moscow announced that it would imminently receive the first batch of Armata T-14 main battle tanks, described as among the most advanced in the world. According to media reports, it can withstand freezing temperatures, evade enemy missiles and is even potentially capable of operating on Mars. However, its manufacturers don’t state whether its fearsome advance would be foiled by a fence. …”

https://www.rt.com/russia/509137-estonia-builds-wire-fence-russia-border/

Latvia and Russia discuss possible Kaliningrad to St. Petersburg rail route

(Latvian Broadcasting - 27. November)

“… crossing the territory of Latvia.”

https://eng.lsm.lv/article/economy/transport/latvia-and-russia-discuss-possible-kaliningrad-to-st-petersburg-rail-route-via-latvia.a383261/

“Officials in Russia’s Kaliningrad region deny rising numbers of coronavirus cases.” - Meduza

“Kaliningrad Named Top Emerging Tourist Destination.” - The Moscow Times

“Lithuania to eliminate border guard zone along part of border with Kaliningrad.” - Baltic Times

Drones and satellites will be used to study plastic pollution in the Baltic Sea

(Delfi)

“Consumer trends and the closed nature of the Baltic Sea are making the problem of plastic pollution in water more and more acute.”

https://en.delfi.lt/business/drones-and-satellites-will-be-used-to-study-plastic-pollution-in-the-baltic-sea.d?id=85960529

“Countries have failed to protect Baltic Sea.” - Helsinki Times

How Finland's female-led government fared in its first year

(Euronews)

“Finland made international headlines a year ago when then 34-year-old Sanna Marin became the world's youngest serving prime minister. But that wasn't all that drew global attention: she was in a coalition government made up of five parties all led by women. Stepping into the new government with Marin was Li Andersson (Left Alliance), 32; Maria Ohisalo (Green League), 34; Anna-Maja Henriksson (Swedish People's Party of Finland), 55; and Katri Kulmuni (Centre Party), 32. …”

https://www.euronews.com/2020/12/10/how-has-finland-s-female-led-government-fared-in-its-first-year

“Soome teatas häireolukorrast Olkiluoto tuumajaamas.” - ERR

EU's €1.8 trillion budget 'approved' after Hungary / Poland removed their vetoes

(Euronews)

“Hungary and Poland blocked the adoption of the EU's next seven-year budget last month over a rule of law conditionality that would see EU funds cut to member states deemed to be breaching core European values. Both countries are the subject of an Article 7 procedure — the EU's so-called "nuclear option" which allows for member states to be sanctioned if they are believed to be undermining democracy and the rule of law.”

https://www.euronews.com/2020/12/10/eu-s-1-8-trillion-budget-approved-after-hungary-and-poland-had-earlier-blocked-it?fromBreakingNews=1

“EL jõudis eelarvekokkuleppele Poola ja Ungariga.” - Postimees

The Future of Polish Democracy

By Chelsea Michta, CEPA

“The emergence of a new “democratic generation” of voters who are fed up with the political status quo.”

https://cepa.org/the-future-of-polish-democracy/

“Rule of law fears remain in Poland despite EU compromise.” - The Guardian

New Path Forward for NATO and Russia

(National Interest)

“Relations between NATO member states and Russia are complex and troubled. It will take concerted efforts by both sides to move their interaction to a more positive plane.”

https://nationalinterest.org/feature/new-path-forward-nato-and-russia-173952

“Kristi Raik: Venemaa kardab USA poliitika karmistumist.” - ERR

“Nato needs more than brave words to survive.” - The Times, login required

“NATO Needs Continuous Responses in Cyberspace.” - CEPA

“NATO Expert Report: How to Efficiently Stop Russia.” - Warsaw Institute

How the EU Can Kick-Start a New Trans-Atlantic Era

(Foreign Policy)

“The European Union’s foreign minister explains his vision for a new U.S.-Europe partnership for the next four years.”

https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/12/10/how-to-kick-start-a-new-trans-atlantic-era/

Moscow Splitting Finno-Ugric Languages to Promote Assimilation to Russian

(Window on Eurasia)

“Moscow is currently promoting the division of the Mari language into two – the Lugo Mari and the Gorno Mari -- to reduce the number of speakers in each and make the assimilation of all Maris more rapid, … experts on Finno-Ugric languages are declining in number both in the Russian Federation and in the Finno-Ugric countries abroad. The pioneers of the past are passing from the scene, and the younger generation is not producing replacements for them. As a result, not only are fewer Finno-Ugric nations speaking their own languages inside the Russian Federation; but fewer people around the world know about this, something that makes it easier for Moscow to act against them.”

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2020/12/moscow-splitting-finno-ugric-languages.html

“Moscow Retaining GULAG Features Even in Newly Designed Prisons”

By Paul Goble

“… despite the shining new buildings, the Russian prison system retains many of the features of the Stalin-era GULAG – and that pattern may even increase given plans to shift detention centers out of city centers to more isolated places, expert critics say. Indeed, prisoner right groups suggest that if incarceration facilities are placed outside of population centers as Moscow now plans to do, it will be easier for guards to torture prisoners in order to get them to confession or to demand payments from them and their families not to do so.”

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2020/12/moscow-retaining-gulag-features-even-in.html

— Wednesday 9. December —

Jürgen Ligi: Euroopa kõige halvem eelarve

(Postimees)

“See on nüüd ametlik: Eesti saab endale Euroopa kaugelt kõige halvema ja vastutustundetuma riigieelarve. Ja jutt, mida valitsejad selle põhjenduseks toovad, näitab, et nad ei saa aru ega hooli, mida teevad. Meie rahvusliku vastutustunde traditsioonidega võrreldes on see nagu elu Marsil.”

https://leht.postimees.ee/7128650/jurgen-ligi-euroopa-koige-halvem-eelarve?_ga=2.69286032.1853410567.1607489437-2077899856.1606795789

US Army’s V Corps Forward Command Inaugurated in Poland

(Jamestown Org)

“The establishment of the HQ-F in Poznań is a part of the US and North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) continued effort to reinforce the Alliance’s eastern flank—a strategy initiated in reaction to the Ukrainian crisis and Russian military pressure in the region. A large share of those activities is being conducted by the US independently, on the basis of bilateral agreements with its Central and Eastern European partners. The HQ-F is expected to coordinate the activities of US Land Forces operating along NATO’s eastern flank as well as facilitate the interoperability of the US Army deployed in the region with NATO allies, including, crucially, Poland.”

https://jamestown.org/program/us-armys-v-corps-forward-command-inaugurated-in-poland/

Majority in the Swedish parliament open to a 'NATO option’ in future

(Reuters)

“The introduction of a “NATO option” would not mean Sweden would apply for membership of the U.S.-led Western alliance but rather that Sweden would consider it down the road if deemed necessary for security.”

https://www.reuters.com/article/sweden-nato-idUSKBN28J1UL

— Tuesday 8. December —

Uuring: Eesti rikkad on Euroopa ühed suuremad õhusaastajad

(ERR)

“Kümnendik Eesti kõige rikkamaid inimesi on teiste riikide jõukatega võrreldes ühed kõige suuremad saastajad - Eesti rikastest rohkem tekitavad CO2 emissioone ainult Luksemburgi ja Belgia rikkad. …”

https://www.err.ee/1200715/uuring-eesti-rikkad-on-euroopa-uhed-suuremad-ohusaastajad

“Confronting Carbon Inequality In The European Union.” - Oxfam

EL hakkab inimõiguste rikkujate puhul rakendama oma Magnitski seadust

(ERR)

“Euroopa Liidu mehhanism sarnaneb Ameerika Ühendriikides 2012. aastal vastu võetud Magnitski seadusega, mis lubas alguses karistada Venemaa ametnikke. USA laiendas hiljem Magnitski seadust ka teiste riikide kodanikele.”

https://www.err.ee/1200562/el-hakkab-inimoiguste-rikkujate-puhul-rakendama-oma-magnitski-seadust

Estonia, UK, USA reject Russia's attempts to present itself as mediator

(Baltic Times)

“… in the Ukraine conflict at the UN Security Council, the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday.”

—

"Russia held a meeting at the UN today on what Russia claims is the status of the implementation of the Minsk agreements. This meeting was a transparent attempt to present a false and misleading narrative regarding the conflict in eastern Ukraine. We strongly reject Russia’s premise that it is acting as a mediator within an internal conflict. Russia is an active participant that trains, arms, and leads armed formations in areas outside of Ukrainian government control, supplementing these proxy forces with military personnel and equipment. It instigated and continues to fuel a conflict which has resulted in approximately 13,000 deaths, appalling human rights abuses, and a deteriorating humanitarian situation for the civilian population," the statement reads.”

https://www.baltictimes.com/estonia__uk__usa_reject_russia_s_attempts_to_present_itself_as_mediator_in_ukraine/

Putin’s FSB Accused of Persecuting Scientists as Spy Paranoia Grips Russia

By Anna Nemtsova, The Daily Beast

“More than 30 academics, including specialists who spent decades on strategically important research, have been prosecuted for espionage in the Putin era. The list of scientific “traitors,” accused of passing classified information to unfriendly foreign parties, grew longer when investigators of Federal Security Service (FSB), the successor to the KGB, arrested and accused a 62-year-old expert on aerodynamics, Anatoly Gubanov, of high treason. Lawyers acting on behalf of these maligned scientists say their clients face trumped up charges for simply doing their jobs and collaborating with fellow scientists across borders.”

https://www.thedailybeast.com/putins-agents-accused-of-persecuting-scientists-as-spy-paranoia-grips-russia?ref=author

Thieves target Russia's nuclear war mobile command ‘doomsday’ plane

(Guardian | Moscow Times)

“The robbery of the Ilyushin-80, a mobile command post specially designed to keep officials alive and in command of the military during a nuclear conflict, took place at an airfield in southern Russia, state media reported. The thieves managed to open the highly classified aircraft’s cargo hatch and make off with 39 pieces of radio equipment.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/dec/08/thieves-target-russia-nuclear-war-doomsday-plane

—

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2020/12/09/kremlin-sounds-alarm-over-doomsday-plane-robbery-a72291

“Venemaal varastastati "viimsepäeva" sõjalennukilt raadioseadmeid.” - ERR

“Russia's ‘Doomsday’ Plane Robbed During Upgrade.” - Moscow Times

Can Russia's Incredibly Unlucky Aircraft Carrier Make a Comeback?

(National Interest)

“The Admiral Kuznetsov is notoriously unlucky. Since the ship’s commissioning in 1990, numerous accidents have befallen Russia’s only aircraft carrier. In 2017, the ship belched black smoke as it transitioned through the English Channel en route to Syria, and was widely derided in the news and on social media. … In October of 2018, the ship’s large PD-50 floating dock sank, damaging the Kuznetsov’s flattop when a large crane collapsed on top of it. … And just last year, a deadly fire broke out inside the carrier thanks to sparks caused by routine welding work, damaging the interior, killing two, and injuring fourteen. Repairs were estimated to cost between $1 billion and $1.5 billion. It may even have been possible that spare parts and other repair material burned in the blaze as well …”

—

“Tass, the Russian state-owned news agency, recently reported that change is in the wind: ship repairs, to be completed in Murmansk, at Zvezdockha’s shipyard No. 35.”

https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/can-russias-only-aircraft-carrier-make-comeback-174052

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