Liberal Estonia is Back - but hard lessons have been learned

By Dr. Kristi Raik - ERR Opinion

“Coincidence or not, the Estonian government collapsed on January 13, soon after the presidency of Donald Trump in the US made its violent turn towards an ugly end. During the past year and eight months, Estonia experimented with a coalition including radical right-wing populists. The experiment damaged Estonia's international reputation and its relations with allies, put pressure on its democratic institutions, and increased polarization within society.”

—

“The push for conservative values was spearheaded with the plan, promoted by EKRE, to hold a referendum on whether marriage should be between a man and a woman. No matter what one thinks about marriage, the referendum campaign served to normalize harassment of minorities and brought into question the government's respect for human rights and dignity.”

—

“Formally, the Estonian government collapsed due to corruption allegations against the Centre Party, which are indeed a matter of serious concern, but the accumulation of tensions between the coalition partners undoubtedly contributed to Prime Minister Jüri Ratas' decision to resign. …”

https://news.err.ee/1608081061/opinion-liberal-estonia-is-back-but-hard-lessons-have-been-learned

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EstoNews was supposed to return on the 8th of January 

… but the organized storming, looting, and spilling of blood at the U.S. Capital on the 6th was such a shocking event that it was impossible to concentrate on any other news stories happening in the world. Still processing this event in my mind. 

—

What if Trump had actually walked with the protesters into the Capital and entered the Senate chamber with the entire mob right behind him? No one had the authorization to stop the President of the United States from doing so. The Capital police would have stepped aside. I believe a real leader would have taken that opportunity in a heartbeat. Democracy might have died then and there. ‘We were lucky’ is an understatement. 

Millions of Americans sympathize with the Capitol insurrection. - The Atlantic

Propublica has gathered hundreds of snippets of videos taken by Trump supporters from the now-defunct social media service Parler, all taken between 12 noon and 6pm that day. “Taken together, they provide one of the most comprehensive records of a dark event in American history through the eyes of those who took part.” It’s worth a look.

https://projects.propublica.org/parler-capitol-videos/

 

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Latest COVID cases in Baltics: 

- 490 in Estonia

- 876 in Latvia

- 1,032 in Lithuania

(BNN)

https://bnn-news.com/latest-covid-19-cases-in-baltics-902-in-latvia-1-274-in-lithuania-669-in-estonia-221098

“Koroonaviiruse andmestik.” - Eesti Terviseamet

“Estonia to begin vaccination of non-risk population in May.” - BNN

“Sputniku vaktsiin üritab saada ELis müügiluba. Mida otsustab Eesti?” - Postimees

“AstraZeneca Estonia to participate in VaccineGuard pilot.” - MobiHealthNews

“Viiest Euroopa riigist tulijad ei pea Eestis karantiini jääma.” - Postimees

“Estonia's coronavirus infection rate falls below 1.” - ERR

“Soome piirab alates kolmapäevast piiriülest liikumist.” - Postimees

— Friday 22. January —

Uus valitsus sihib töö alustamiseks teisipäeva

(Postimees)

“Uus valitsus plaanib tegevuskava tutvustada riigikogus algaval nädalal, sihiks on esmaspäev, ning tööga alustada teisipäeval, teatas peaministrikandidaat Kaja Kallas.”

https://poliitika.postimees.ee/7161966/uus-valitsus-sihib-too-alustamiseks-teisipaeva?_ga=2.159351411.852628064.1611082990-327364366.1609992026

How do Russians see Baltics today?

By Aliide Naylor, LRT

“Decades after thousands of Muscovites marched for Baltic independence, the mood in Russia today is a far cry from the outpouring of support in 1991. What has changed? Over the past two decades, perceptions of the Baltics in Russia have shifted towards the negative.”

https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1326435/from-outpouring-of-support-to-hostility-how-do-russians-see-baltics-today

“The Shadow in the East: Vladimir Putin and the New Baltic Front”

A new book by Aliide Naylor

“Based on her extensive research and work as a journalist, Aliide Naylor takes us inside the geopoltitics of the region. Travelling to the heart of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania she explores modernity in the region that birthed Skype, investigates smuggling and reports of troop movements in the borderlands, and explains the countries' unique cultural identities. Naylor tells why the Baltics matter, arguing persuasively that this region is about to become the new frontline in the political struggle between East and West.” - Amazon | Bloomsbury UK

https://www.amazon.com/Shadow-East-Vladimir-Putin-Baltic/dp/178831252X/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

—

https://www.bloomsbury.com/uk/the-shadow-in-the-east-9781788312523/

“An Interview with the author Aliide Naylor.” - Deep Baltic

Arstide puudus Eestis seab elusid ohtu

(Postimees)

“Koroonapandeemia juhtis tähelepanu sellele, et Eesti vajab rohkem meditsiinitöötajaid. Enim on puudus psühhiaatritest, sisehaiguste ja erakorralise meditsiini arstidest ning patoloogidest.”

https://leht.postimees.ee/7161712/arstide-puudus-eestis-seab-elusid-ohtu?_ga=2.240134730.852628064.1611082990-327364366.1609992026

Number of suicides in Estonia has dropped threefold in 25 years

(ERR)

https://news.err.ee/1608082879/number-of-suicides-in-estonia-has-dropped-threefold-in-25-years

Eesti talupojad said topeltnimed mõisa ja kiriku hõõrumise tõttu

(Novaator)

“Miks on meil huvitavaid topeltnimesid, nagu näiteks Sal-Saller, Aaslav-Kaasik või Kont-Kontson?”

https://novaator.err.ee/1608080602/eesti-talupojad-said-topeltnimed-moisa-ja-kiriku-hoorumise-tottu

The USSR Could have Been Saved had Gorbachev Backed the OMON in Riga

By Paul Goble

“The barricade movement in Riga in January 1991 was a far more serious challenge to the Soviet system than the demonstrations in Vilnius …” 

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2021/01/the-ussr-could-have-been-saved-had.html

— Thursday 21. January —

RMK tõmbas andmenõudjad sõnamänguga haneks

Ülle Harju, Postimees

“Riigimetsa Majandamise Keskus (RMK) pidi eile avalikustama kõik inimestele oluliste metsade asukohad, kus raiumise peab kohalikega kooskõlastama, aga selle asemel defineeris oluliste metsade mõiste ümber.”

—

“RMK on KAH-alade määramise ideoloogia täielikult ümber teinud.” - RMK peametsaülem Andres Sepp.

https://leht.postimees.ee/7158904/rmk-tombas-andmenoudjad-sonamanguga-haneks

“RMK metsatööde kaart.” - RMK

“RMK jätkab raieohus olevate kogukonnametsade salastamist.” - Postimees, November 2020

“Arvamus: Kuskil peab keegi kinni maksma ka need kulud, millega loodust kaitsta.” - ERR

How the race for renewables is burning Estonian and EU forests

(The Guardian)

“Kalev Järvik stands on a bald patch of land in the heart of Estonia’s Haanja nature reserve and remembers when he could walk straight from one side of the reserve to the other under a canopy of trees. Järvik has lived in the Haanja uplands in the southern county of Võru for more than 10 years. His closeness to the forest has shaped his life as a carpenter and the fortunes of the surrounding villages …

—

“But in 2015, the Estonian government allowed what is known as clear-cutting in some parts of the Haanja nature reserve. The practice involves stripping entire areas of mature forest and removing whole tree trunks. “

“Sometimes I can’t bear to go outside,” Järvik says, standing by the stumps left on land stripped by the logging company Valga Puu (https://www.valgapuu.ee). The firm is a subsidiary of Graanul Invest Group (https://www.graanulinvest.com/eng/frontpage), Europe’s biggest producer of the wood pellets which are burned on an industrial scale as biomass for heat and light in many of Europe’s former coal-fired power stations.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jan/14/carbon-neutrality-is-a-fairy-tale-how-the-race-for-renewables-is-burning-europes-forests

“Estonian firm seeks finance from forests.” - Reuters

Kaljulaid kohtus Kadriorus Svjatlana Tsihhanovskajaga

(ERR)

“President Kersti Kaljulaid kohtus neljapäeval Kadriorus Valgevene opositsiooni liikme Svjatlana Tsihhanovskajaga. Kaljulaid ja Tsihhanovskaja rääkisid kohtumisel Valgevene poliitilisest olukorrast ja rohkem kui viis kuud kestnud protestidest.”

https://www.err.ee/1608081004/fotod-kaljulaid-kohtus-kadriorus-svjatlana-tsihhanovskajaga

“Tsihhanovskaja Valgevenesse naasta ei kavatse.” - ERR

“President Kersti Kaljulaid met with Belarus’ Svetlana Tikhanovskaya.” - ERR

“Intervjuu: Svjatlana Tsihhanovskaja.” - Delfi (paywall)

“Tikhanovskaya awarded Estonian foreign ministry's Order of Merit.” - ERR

“Russian diplomat calls on Estonia to look in mirror before calling UNCS meeting on Belarus.” - Pro Kremlin TASS

USA ajutine asjur: Eesti ja USA suhted tihenevad

(ERR)

“… sest Bidenil on plaanis üle vaadata suhted kõigi Euroopa liitlastega, ütles USA ajutine asjur Eestis Brian Roraff”

https://www.err.ee/1608080134/usa-ajutine-asjur-eesti-ja-usa-suhted-tihenevad

“Europe reacts to Joe Biden’s inauguration.” - Politico-Europe

“World watches as Biden assumes office.” - Washington Post

“Eesti uueks saadikuks USA-s võib saada Kristjan Prikk.” - ERR

“EU officials are cautiously optimistic about post-Trump US.” - DW

“EU leaders have repeatedly expressed their readiness to restart the partnership after four years of dismay and rivalry with Donald Trump.” - CEPA

“Eesti eurosaadikute hinnangul teatud erimeelsused EL-il ja USA-l jäävad.” - ERR

“How the EU is preparing for Biden.” - Euronews

“US Returns to Paris climate accord.” - The Guardian

“Biden moves to halt US exodus from World Health Organization.” - The Hill

“Eesti Suursaadik USA-s: Biden panustas kõnes ühtsusele ja demokraatiale.” - ERR

“MEPs expect new US president to bring dawn in transatlantic ties.” - Baltic Times

“Former Soviet leader calls on Joe Biden to reach out to the Kremlin.” - Politico

— Wednesday 20. January —

Eesti mees, kes lendas parun Münchhausenina tuumapommil

(Postimees)

“Eestilgi on omalaadne seos Ameerika kohverpommiga. Praegu ühe meie esimese päikesepargi kõrval Kagu-Eestis pensionipõlve pidav Viido Polikarpus (snd 1947) oli üks neist eriüksuslastest, kes sai sellise pommi kohaletoimetamise ja kasutamise kohta eriväljaõppe.”

https://leht.postimees.ee/7159829/eesti-mees-kes-lendas-parun-munchhausenina-tuumapommil?_ga=2.163128309.852628064.1611082990-327364366.1609992026

Tuntud reisiportaal nimetas Tallinna parimaks kaugtöölinnaks maailmas

(Delfi)

“Hong Kongi päritolu rahvusvaheline reisiportaal Big 7 Travel koostas edetabeli 50 maailma parimast kaugtöölinnast aastal 2021. Suureks üllatuseks maandus esimesele kohale meie oma armas Tallinn.”

https://reisijuht.delfi.ee/artikkel/92311855/ootamatu-tunnustus-eestile-tuntud-reisiportaal-nimetas-tallinna-parimaks-kaugtoolinnaks-maailmas-aastal-2021?

Viis müüti eesti rahva kujunemisloost ja selle uurimise köögipoolest

(Novaator)

“Uued leiud vihjavad, et läänemeresoome keeled saabusid Eesti aladele samas ajavahemikus, kui Siberi rahvastega seotud geenivariandid.”

https://novaator.err.ee/1608078721/viis-muuti-eesti-rahva-kujunemisloost-ja-selle-uurimise-koogipoolest

Why the U.S. Should Support Arctic Council Observer Status for Estonia

(Heritage Foundation)

“On May 19 and 20, 2021, the 12th Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting will take place in Reykjavík, Iceland. Among other issues, the eight council member states will consider the applications of non-Arctic countries and organizations seeking observer status in the Arctic Council. Estonia is one of the applicants and meets the requirements for observer status. Estonia is a valuable NATO ally, and Estonia’s growing interest in Arctic matters will serve to advance transatlantic interests in the region.”

https://www.heritage.org/global-politics/report/why-the-us-should-support-arctic-council-observer-status-estonia

Navalny’s Fearless Return to Russia

By Masha Gessen, The New Yorker

“Many protest organizers, threatened with criminal prosecutions, left the country. Many of those who failed to stay away have been killed. And then there was Alexey Navalny. Navalny has managed to subvert every one of the regime’s mechanisms of control.”

https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/alexey-navalnys-fearless-return-to-russia

Putin's palace: History of world's largest bribe

(BNE Intellinews)

“Russian anti-corruption blogger Alexey Navalny released a two hour documentary with new revelations entitled “Putin's palace. History of world's largest bribe” that has been viewed 15mn times in less than a day. … video shows a Black Sea palace with an ice rink and “aquadisco.”

https://www.intellinews.com/jailed-russian-opposition-activist-navalny-drops-putin-corruption-investigation-bomb-on-his-second-day-home-200719/?source=russia

“Navalnõi: Putinil on Musta mere ääres oma kuningriik.” - Postimees

And on YouTube - In Russian with English Subtitles

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipAnwilMncI&feature=emb_logo

Alexey Navalny escalates battle with Putin as EU officials demand his release

(Politico-Europe)

“Alexei Navalny isn’t waiting for the West to come to his rescue.”

—

“As top EU officials noisily demanded his release but took no concrete action, Navalny, the Russian opposition leader who was immediately arrested upon his return to Moscow after recovering in Germany from an assassination attempt, escalated his battle with President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday. With Navalny jailed for at least 30 days in the notorious Matrosskaya Tishina prison, he and his anti-corruption foundation released a searing exposé about a lavish palace on the Black Sea that they allege was built for Putin by his cronies using the proceeds of decades of corruption, in what they labeled “the biggest bribe in history.” 

https://www.politico.eu/article/imprisoned-alexei-navalny-escalates-battle-with-putin-as-eu-officials-condemn-arrest-and-demand-release/

“Alexey Navalny issues statement from Moscow prison.” - Meduza

“FSB Officer Inadvertently Confesses Murder Plot to Navalny.” - Bellingcat

“Activists in More than 20 Russian Cities Demonstrate for Navalny and against Putin.” - Window on Eurasia

“Don’t Look for Political Logic in the Kremlin’s Treatment of Navalny.” - Carnegie Moscow

“Russia Seeks to Divert Youths From Lure of Navalny Protests.” - New York Times

— Tuesday 19. January —

Latvia marked 30 years since the Barricades

(Latvian Broadcasting)

“In January 1991 people flowed into the capitals of the Baltic states and erected makeshift barricades around strategic locations like the parliament and the national radio station to protect them against Soviet troops that wanted to crush the Baltic nations' independence drive.”

— 

“At one point, around 700,000 demonstrators had gathered on the streets of Rīga in a remarkable show of solidarity characteristic of the times of change.”

https://eng.lsm.lv/article/culture/history/latvia-marks-30-years-since-the-barricades.a389655/

“During the events of January 1991 an important mission was entrusted by Lithuania to an Estonian.” - Lithuanian Tribune

“Soviet State Terrorism in Riga in January 1991 Must Not Be Overlooked or Forgotten.” - by Paul Goble

“Video: The defense of freedom during the time of the barricades.” - LSM

Kaliningrad: The Tiny Russian 'Ham' Inside An EU ‘Sandwich'

(RFERL)

“Seventy-five years have passed since the German city of Koenigsberg and its surrounding area became Kaliningrad …”

https://www.rferl.org/a/kaliningrad-russia-crazy-borders-mad-maps/31027202.html

2020 Marked Solar Energy Breakthroughs in Estonia

(Baltic Times)

“… state-owned Eesti Energia group alone established close to 300 solar power plants for its clients with a total capacity of eight megawatts.”

https://www.baltictimes.com/2020_marked_breakthrough_in_estonia_in_solar_energy/

Discourse of fear in strategic narratives: The case of Russia's Zapad war games

(Academia Org. - 2019)

“The authors look at the largest recent Russian war games on NATO’s eastern borders, the ‘Zapad 2017’ military exercise, as an example to show how to interpret fear narratives.”

https://www.academia.edu/39734150/Discourse_of_fear_in_strategic_narratives_The_case_of_Russias_Zapad_war_games_Media_War_and_Conflict_2019_?email_work_card=view-paper

Why the Swedes love paying their taxes

(BBC)

“The Swedish attitude towards tax contrasts sharply with many countries where taxes can be a deeply divisive issue.”

https://www.bbc.com/reel/video/p09312qg/why-the-swedes-love-doing-something-that-americans-hate

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