Several events this fall highlighted the interest shown among multiple Washington circles in matters concerning Estonia and the Baltics. Visiting officials included Estonian ministers, parliamentarians, and cyber security experts, while think tanks hosted Baltic and Scandinavian panels, and members of Congress met with their Baltic counterparts to discuss security issues in the region.
- CSIS panelists (from left) Marina Kaljurand, Merle Maigre, Juhan Lepassaar and Tanel Sepp discuss strategies for securing cyberspace.
In October, the American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC) and the Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) held discussions centered around Russian influence in the Baltic region and how the West should respond. Russia’s explicit agenda to change the European security order from rules-based to interest- based was noted. Strong democratic institutions don’t suit Russia’s interests, so the Kremlin is actively working to undermine them in the Baltic nations and elsewhere. NATO’s enhanced forward presence in the region has bolstered overall security while Russia has overstretched its military capabilities, but information warfare remains a threat that Western powers have not yet addressed effectively. Russia especially excels at using high-quality entertainment to subtly propagate its agenda in Russian-speaking communities, a capability not fully recognized or understood in the West. Recommendations included being more proactive in the information space, framing requests for U.S. support in terms of U.S. national interests, and putting more focus on deterrence in the air and sea domains.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) hosted panels to review the progress Estonia has made in cyber security since the first attacks against its government in 2007. Former president Toomas Hendrik Ilves shared his remarks by video while former foreign minister Marina Kaljurand and other distinguished experts held lively discussions on their roles in analyzing and responding to the attacks, along with lessons learned and developing strategies for deterrence, protection against future attacks and fostering stability in cyberspace. The full video of the event is available on the CSIS website, www.csis.org, under Events > Past Events > November 6, 2017.
Later in November, Estonian Interior Minister Andres Anvelt was in Washington to attend the EU-U.S. Justice and Home Affairs Ministerial meeting. The Atlantic Council also hosted a roundtable discussion that included several senior current and former State Department officials, and featured Anvelt’s views on countering Russian disinformation. The take-aways from the meeting stressed the importance of exposing lies in the media, promoting open and transparent governance, and upholding the principles of freedom and democratic values.
From left: MP Anneli Ott, EANC’s Karin Shuey, EANC President Marju Rink-Abel, MP Hannes Hanso, MP Ants Laaneots and MP Madis Milling met at the Estonian embassy to talk about relations between Estonia and the diaspora in the U.S.
Finally, members of the Estonian parliament (MPs) were in DC to meet with counterparts in the Senate and House Armed Services, Appropriations, and other committees. They also made time to sit down with EANC President Marju Rink-Abel and Washington, DC Director Karin Shuey, along with officials from the Estonian embassy. Topics discussed included U.S. and Estonian security policy, the growing U.S. government interest in Estonia, Estonian government relations with the diaspora community, and areas for future cooperation.
EANC very much values its good relationship with the embassy and the resulting opportunities to meet with Estonian officials when they visit Washington. We will remain engaged in all levels of the DC foreign policy community and keep our constituents informed on policy and events. Please also make regular visits to our website at estosite.org to stay current on news of interest to the Estonian American community.
Estonian American National Council 