Geo-politics, Estonia's Position in these Troubled Geo-political Times, EU, NATO, & Transatlantic Relations

With Associate Professor Stefano Braghiroli Earned his PhD in Political Science from the University of Siena, ItalyHe works in the Faculty of Social Sciences at the prestigious Johan Skytte Institute of Political Studies within the University of TartuDr. Braghioli is the Associate Professor of European Studies, Teaching Excellence Ambassador, and the Programme Director for European StudiesThe song "Ei ole üksi ükski maa" (No Land Is Alone) is an Estonian patriotic song created in 1987 by Alo Mattiisen. The lyrics were written by Jüri Leesment. The song was created to support the movement against phosphorite mining in Virumaa during the Phosphorite War. It has been performed at various music festivals in Estonia, reflecting its significance in the country's cultural and political history. 

Today, we have  Joel Burke the author of Rebooting a Nation: The Incredible Rise of Estonia, E-Government and the Startup Revolution. Joel is also a fellow at fp21, a think tank focused on transforming the process and institutions of U.S. foreign policy using evidence. Previously, Joel was an AI fellow in the office of Senator Mike Rounds and served as Head of Business Development for the Republic of Estonia's e-Residency program.Music intro is: Arvo Pärt- Spiegel im Spiegel

Satellite Imagery Analysis: “What’s going on in Putin’s military bases behind the Estonian Border and how big a threat they really pose?” Satellite imagery analysis. What’s going on in Putin’s military bases behind the Estonian border and how big a threat they really pose us - Eesti Ekspress Holger Roonemaa, leads an investigative team at Delfi Estii Ekspres. His investigations have focused on money laundering and corruption, espionage and national security, and Russia's disinformation campaigns in the Baltic countries. Roonemaa's investigations have been published by, and he is also an editor of OCCRP, an acronym for The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, a global network of investigative journalists who expose crime and corruption; he has also been published in ICIJ, which stands for International Consortium of Investigative Journalists, The Daily Beast, Vsquare, BuzzFeed News, and Re:Baltica, among other outlets. He has been repeatedly awarded the Journalist of the Year title at Estonia's national journalism awards and won the National Investigative Journalism Award in 2021. Holger is currently studying and working as a Knight-Wallace Journalism Fellow at the University of Michigan. There, he is developing an investigative journalism hub designed to bridge resource gaps, make use of high-tech investigative methods, and bolster data-driven regional partnerships.

In this episode, we are incredibly fortunate to have General Martin Herem, the overall commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, with us. We discuss the Forest Brothers in Estonia after World War II. We are publishing this episode on March 29, 2024, which is the 20th anniversary of Estonia's accession to NATO. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j2xs06NpGzE

The Russian Factor in Baltic History in the 19th & 20th C with Professor Karsten Brugemann  Educational Credentials He earned the prestigious Dr. habil. (2013) from the University of Gießen(geesan, Germany (History Department) which is the highest academic degree in Germany He received his Dr. philosophy. (1999) also from the University of Hamburg,  (History Department) He received his M.A. in History and Slavic Philology (1993) from the University of Hamburg As far as his Professional Experience is concerned: Professor of Estonian and General History at Tallinn University, Institute of History since September 200 Research Assistant at Nordost-Institut Lüneburg (Germany) from September 2005 to August 2008  Elected Docent for General History at Narva College of Tartu University, where he also served as Head of the Humanities Department  Visiting Lecturer in History and German Studies at Narva College of Tartu University from September 2002 to August 2004 Research Assistant at the Archive of the Institut Nordost-deutsches Kulturwerk, Lüneburg (Germany) from April 1998 to December 2001 Contract Lecturer (Eastern European History) at the History Department, University of Hamburg, from 1999 to 2001 Contract Lecturer (Baltic Studies) at the Institute for Finno-Ugric Studies, University of Hamburg, from 1996 to 2002 He began his career as a Research Assistant at the Department for Education Science, Institute for History (Eastern European History) at the University of the Federal Armed Forces Hamburg from January 1994 to March 1998 Karsten Brüggemann’s expertise spans the history of the Baltic states and Russia, cultural history, transnational history, and the historical dimension of sports, tourism, and music.

In this episode, we discuss the National Committee of the Republic of Estonia and its importance to the Estonian State's claim of the continuance of government during the Soviet occupation. Calendar of Events in February 1944 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdS96R6WuaI Anthem of the Estonian volunteer regiment in the Finnish Army 1943- 1944

We start off the new year by following the calendar that I picked up at The Estonian War Museum which follows important events and dates in the tumultuous year of 1944. We go on to discuss Zelensky's Trip to Tallinn and Estonia's pledge to support Ukraine with .25% of GDP.

In this episode, I sit down with Toomas Hiio, the Associate Director at The General Laidoner Estonian War Museum. This is the first in-person interview of the Podcast. Toomas Hiio, born on June 1, 1965, is a distinguished Estonian historian known for his significant contributions to the study of Estonia's history during crucial periods. He completed his education at Tallinn 32nd Secondary School in 1983 and earned his degree in history from Tartu University in 1991. Hiio is highly regarded in academic circles and holds the esteemed position of research director at the Laidoner Museum. Additionally, he serves as the research manager at the Estonian Memory Institute, showcasing his expertise and dedication to preserving Estonia's historical legacy. Apart from his academic pursuits, Hiio is also a respected reserve officer, having attained the rank of second lieutenant in 1998. Recognizing his contributions to historical research and Estonian society, he was awarded the Order of the White Star IV class in 2002. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLLGtOOkPpA Peeter Tooma - Mässajate Laul

MacFarlane, John M. (2011) Rear–Admiral Sir Johan Pitka – An Unlikely British Columbian Who Founded the Estonian Navy. Nauticapedia.ca 2012. http://nauticapedia.ca/Gallery/Admiral_Pitka.php

Vicarious Sovereignty - Becoming European The Estonian Way: With Professor Maria Mälksoo Professor Maria Mälksoo, a leading scholar of international relations, security studies, and memory politics. She is currently working at the Department of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen, where she leads several research projects on the politics of memory and deterrence in Europe. She has a PhD in International Studies from the University of Cambridge, and has previously taught at the University of Kent and the University of Tartu. She is the author and co-author of several books and articles on the politics of becoming European, remembering Katyn, and the uses of ‘the East’ in international studies. She is also an Associate Editor of Review of International Studies, and has previously served as the President of the Central and East European International Studies Association. The following is a link to the music video from the band Vennaskond, the song it titled: Jumal Kaitse Kuningat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7abXZsiurLs