Estonia

List of Estonia articles

A military cadet stands in front of a billboard promoting contract army service in St. Petersburg.
A military cadet stands in front of a billboard promoting contract army service in St. Petersburg.

Russia’s Military Is Already Preparing for Its Next War 

Moscow is rebuilding its military in anticipation of a conflict with NATO in the next decade, Estonian officials warn.

A U.S. Bradley Fighting Vehicle is seen behind a U.S. flag during during a training session by U.S. soldiers in Nowa Deba, Poland.
A U.S. Bradley Fighting Vehicle is seen behind a U.S. flag during during a training session by U.S. soldiers in Nowa Deba, Poland.

NATO’s Got a New Backbone

It’s time for the United States to prioritize members of the alliance that understand the Russian threat and are taking it seriously.

Latvian President Egils Levits, Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova, U.S. President Joe Biden, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and other participants leave the podium after posing for a group photo in Warsaw.
Latvian President Egils Levits, Slovakian President Zuzana Caputova, U.S. President Joe Biden, Polish President Andrzej Duda, and other participants leave the podium after posing for a group photo in Warsaw.

Ukraine Has Shifted Europe’s East-West Fault Line

Eastern Europe is in the driver’s seat. The West should buckle up.

Soldiers of an Estonian honor guard attend a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument to the War of Independence in Tallinn, Estonia, on Feb, 24.
Soldiers of an Estonian honor guard attend a wreath laying ceremony at the Monument to the War of Independence in Tallinn, Estonia, on Feb, 24.

How Estonia Is Planning for the Worst

The small Baltic nation is learning from Sweden and Finland—and creating a system for civilians to contribute to national defense in case of invasion.

Anti-Russia and pro Ukraine banners hang on the fence in front of the Russian Federation embassy in Tallinn, Estonia.
Anti-Russia and pro Ukraine banners hang on the fence in front of the Russian Federation embassy in Tallinn, Estonia.

Estonia’s Former Spy Chief: Too Soon to Count Russia Out

Mikk Marran talks about Moscow’s intelligence failures, cyberwar, and whether Western resolve will last the winter.

Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas

Estonia’s Prime Minister: ‘We Need to Help Ukraine Win’

Kaja Kallas talks about the threat from Russia, the future of the war, and what should come next for NATO in the Baltics.

French soldiers during a NATO drill in Estonia
French soldiers during a NATO drill in Estonia

Baltic States Are Pushing NATO for More Than Just a Tripwire Against Russia

Moscow’s neighbors in NATO want larger troop deployments that could deter any more land grabs by Putin.

Tanks are shown on a snowy, barren field.
Tanks are shown on a snowy, barren field.

NATO Is Dangerously Exposed in the Baltic

Don’t listen to Russia. NATO needs to bolster, not downsize, its flimsy defenses.

Soldiers take part in the NATO military exercise "Winter Shield" in Latvia.
Soldiers take part in the NATO military exercise "Winter Shield" in Latvia.

Baltic Citizens Worry They’re Next on Russia’s Menu

Moscow’s aggression has stirred old fears in its neighbors.

Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid leaves the Élysée Palace after a Bastille Day working lunch during the visit of European leaders in Paris on July 14.
Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid leaves the Élysée Palace after a Bastille Day working lunch during the visit of European leaders in Paris on July 14.

Estonia Battles Its Elected Racists

Estonian President Kersti Kaljulaid speaks on how to stand up against the far-right.

A song and dance festival in Estonia in 2011.
A song and dance festival in Estonia in 2011.

Estonia’s Natural Experiment in Fighting Right-Wing Populism

Two models have emerged for dealing with a new nationalist government—but it’s not clear which will prove more effective.

Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech under the rain during celebrations for Navy Day in Baltiysk in the Kaliningrad region on July 26, 2015.
Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech under the rain during celebrations for Navy Day in Baltiysk in the Kaliningrad region on July 26, 2015.

Don’t Believe the Russian Hype

Moscow’s missile capabilities in the Baltic Sea region are not nearly as dangerous as they seem.

The Danske Bank building in Copenhagen, Denmark.
The Danske Bank building in Copenhagen, Denmark.

The Danske Bank Scandal Is the Tip of the Iceberg

Financial institutions and the governments that regulate them aren’t doing nearly enough to prevent money laundering.  

Then-Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves delivers a speech during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Feb. 2, 2016.  (Frederick Florin/AFP/Getty Images)
Then-Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves delivers a speech during a plenary session of the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, on Feb. 2, 2016. (Frederick Florin/AFP/Getty Images)

Europe Should Look to What the United States Does—Not What Trump Says

Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Estonia’s former president, on what to make of U.S. foreign policy toward Russia.

Leaders hold a meeting on Afghanistan during the NATO 2014 summit in Newport, South Wales, on Sep. 4, 2014. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)
Leaders hold a meeting on Afghanistan during the NATO 2014 summit in Newport, South Wales, on Sep. 4, 2014. (Saul Loeb/AFP/Getty Images)

NATO’s Little Noticed but Important New Aggressive Stance on Cyber Weapons

Not many people noticed it, but last month, NATO made a dramatic change in its cyber policy.

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