23.05.25 OPINION ... Restoring the hydrology of the Kikepera Nature Reserve and Soomaa National Park does not mean destroying nature. What's being restored are ecosystems tied to peatlands — rich in biodiversity and characteristic of the Estonian landscape, writes Jüri-Ott Salm.

23.05.25 OPINION ... In his Vikerraadio commentary, Harri Tiido's focus is on Russia's war veterans. One distinctive feature of Russian veterans, Tiido notes, is that many were sent to the front straight from prison — and a large number of them have known no other life than the prison camp or war.

23.05.25 OPINION ... Increases in income tax, value-added tax and excise duties — along with the introduction of a car tax — are piling up, making it increasingly difficult for people in vulnerable situations to get by. Just because a tax hike is applied uniformly doesn't mean its impact is equally bearable, writes Christian Veske.

21.05.25 OPINION ... If everyone, including women, contributes to Estonia's defense according to their abilities and skills, we will not only deter the enemy but also boost public confidence, reduce fear and make our society more self-assured and our national defense stronger, writes Lavly Perling.

21.05.25 OPINION ... We can confidently say that conservatism and rational politics are undergoing a revival in Europe — and judging by recent poll results, similar developments can be expected in Estonia as well, write Riho Terras and Jüri Ratas.

21.05.25 OPINION ... At the end of the last century, the explanatory notes for detailed plans and construction projects were just a couple of pages long. Procedures ballooned explosively once authorities began responding on a case-by-case basis, writes Ike Volkov.

20.05.25 OPINION ... The interplay of domestic and global forces — shaped by political realism and features of the market state — forms the basis for national security policy and strategy, which must be directed toward protecting the state's core interests, writes Meelis Kiili.

20.05.25 OPINION ... Kikepera in Saarde Municipality is one of Estonia's key capercaillie habitats, where the birds are thriving. Whether large-scale peatland restoration work fiercely protested by locals will ensure them the same success is unclear — but the EU-funded work is set to move quickly, writes Kadri-Aija Viik.

19.05.25 OPINION ... In a sense, this is the darkest hour for Estonian democracy in recent times. A government with such low support inevitably struggles to govern effectively, since whatever it does is likely to go against the will of the majority of voters, writes Martin Mölder in his Vikerraadio daily commentary.

19.05.25 OPINION ... I believe it is time to establish a tradition in which the heads of internal security institutions present a joint annual internal security briefing to the government — one that would logically complement the military advice provided by the commander of the EDF, writes Igor Taro.

17.05.25 OPINION ... Europe is undefeated economically and politically, but now, more than ever, Europe has to become strong militarily as well. A strong NATO with a strong Europe will be credible, confident and therefore at peace, President Alar Karis said in his speech at the opening dinner of the Lennart Meri Conference 2025 on Friday night.

16.05.25 OPINION ... Wednesday's test of Estonia's public warning system can be seen as either a failure or a valuable learning experience — but one thing's for sure: everyone had something to say about it, notes journalism researcher Marju Himma in Friday's daily comment on Vikerraadio.

16.05.25 OPINION ... In theory, Estonia can certainly dream up all kinds of energy solutions, but a reality check must begin with the question of whether paying for them is economically sensible and feasible, writes Lauri Laats.

15.05.25 OPINION ... It is irresponsible to use costly human resources for traffic enforcement tasks that could be handled by machines and artificial intelligence, writes Kristian Jaani, director of the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences' Police and Border Guard College.

15.05.25 OPINION ... On Wednesday, Estonia tested its emergency alert sirens and sent out test messages to the public. We bring you the stories of seven Estonians — whether the alerts reached them or not, and what they did (or didn't do) when they did (or didn't) receive them.

14.05.25 OPINION ... Estonia is rapidly developing its defense capabilities, with key efforts focused on swift procurement, personnel development and the simultaneous integration of modern wartime experience, writes Alar Laneman.

12.05.25 OPINION ... The "dead internet theory" may still be filed under conspiracy theories — for now — but likely not for much longer, as the rot has already become plainly visible, writes Tristan Priimägi, originally in Sirp.

12.05.25 OPINION ... We must not let hurray-patriotism drive Estonia's transition to Estonian-language education, Rene Kundla writes. Instead of slogans, we need to find a balance between ideals and practical realities.

09.05.25 OPINION ... Preserving nature and our living environment isn't about locking values away like museum pieces. The goal is to ensure the continuity of our surroundings and conduct ourselves in a way that sustains us as a people and a culture, writes Tiit Maran.

09.05.25 OPINION ... The focus of the debate on foreign labor in Estonia should shift from the question of whether to allow it to under what principles it should be brought in, write OSKA analysts Silja Lassur, Andres Viia and Yngve Rosenblad.

09.05.25 OPINION ... The rise in the meaning and messaging of May 9 came with Vladimir Putin's propaganda-fueled imperial ambitions — and today, May 9 has also become a day of threats, notes Raul Rebane in his daily commentary on Vikerraadio.

08.05.25 OPINION ... The goals of the Tallinn merged hospital threaten the University of Tartu's medical education and international standing. The solution lies in creating smaller merged hospitals, fostering healthy competition and increasing the University of Tartu's collaboration with the merged hospitals, writes Kristjan Vassil.

08.05.25 OPINION ... The transport sector faces major challenges, including how to reduce emissions and dependence on private cars. Part of the answer lies in vehicle sharing, writes a doctoral student at Tallinn University of Technology.

07.05.25 OPINION ... It is high time to carry out Tallinn's major hospital reform — something the Center Party never really wanted to tackle. Merging Tallinn's hospitals would improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services both in the capital and across Northern Estonia, writes Pärtel-Peeter Pere.

07.05.25 OPINION ... China doesn't need to conquer Siberia. It's simpler and more profitable to strip Russia's Siberia and Far East of all available resources, Aimar Ventsel notes in his Vikerraadio commentary.

06.05.25 OPINION ... Since 1991, the Baltic states have risen from Soviet obscurity to become some of Europe's most dynamic democracies. But as Russia returns to imperial aggression and Western unity fractures, the postwar order that once safeguarded their freedom is crumbling. Today, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania face their most precarious security environment in a generation.

05.05.25 OPINION ... By following bloggers and speaking with friends and acquaintances living in Russia, it appears that the majority of Russians are trying to live as though nothing has happened. Some manage this surprisingly well, notes Aimar Ventsel in his Vikerraadio daily commentary.

05.05.25 OPINION ... In a world where geopolitical tensions are rising and freedoms are coming under pressure in many countries, it is increasingly important for Estonia to stand up for the values of democracy and an open society. A strong civil society is not merely an ideal but a cornerstone of our shared security and well-being, writes Mall Hellam.

04.05.25 OPINION ... Many believe that the green-woke ideology has already demonstrated its inability to address major challenges in a way that resonates with the majority of voters and avoids provoking Trumpist and Orbanist backlash, writes Tõnis Saarts in a commentary originally published in Sirp magazine.

04.05.25 OPINION ... Party ratings clearly show that Estonians can no longer be swayed by even the most polished slogans. The Estonian people will not — and should not — settle for anything less than a thoughtful and credible action plan, writes Mihhail Kõlvart.

02.05.25 OPINION ... Claiming that prices rise independently of us and that there is nothing we can do is false. We surely can, Bigbank economist Raul Eamets writes.

30.04.25 OPINION ... In today's world — where trade wars are rattling stock markets and uncertainty about economic growth is on the rise — it is crucial for the financial system to function smoothly and for banks to remain resilient. At the heart of this lies a key question: what role does bank profitability play in this process, writes Jaak Tõrs.

30.04.25 OPINION ... In economics, morality lies not in avoiding debt but in the skillful and responsible use of resources. When capital is cheap and backed by productivity, putting it to use is wisdom, not weakness. Ignoring this is not ethical — it's harmful, writes Peep Kuld.

30.04.25 OPINION ... Greater emphasis should be placed on relations with Poland. First, the country has played a key logistical role in supplying weapons to Ukraine, and second, it has a historically sober understanding of what Russia truly represents, writes Peeter Kaldre.

29.04.25 OPINION ... Although there are already attempts to present the increased military presence as an unprecedented development, Estonian fighters — including Russian-speaking patriots — have been a normal part of life in Narva for decades, Meelis Oidsalu notes in his Vikerraadio daily commentary.

28.04.25 OPINION ... Russians, like other peoples, have been shaped by many events and processes — especially Orthodoxy and a history of constant territorial expansion. As a result, expansion is often associated with national glory in Russia, writes Jaak Valge.

28.04.25 OPINION ... Defending freedom of religion means defending the rule of law, based on the constitution and universally recognized human rights. What is alarming is the application of the principle of collective threat or guilt to a religious community, writes Andres Põder.

28.04.25 OPINION ... Can Kristen Michal shift gears when necessary and swap the gray technocrat's cloak for the much brighter suit of a visionary and inspiring leader, Tõnis Saarts asks in his daily commentary on Vikerraadio.

25.04.25 OPINION ... Even if Europe now has the money to rapidly produce ammunition, we lack the raw materials. The ash hills of Ida-Viru County could serve as a raw material bank for Europe's defense industry — but we've entangled ourselves in a vicious cycle of bureaucracy and busywork, writes Alar Saluste.

25.04.25 OPINION ... The government's policy is promoting an economy built on cheap labor. Employers would no longer be required to guarantee working hours or income — and if an Estonian isn't willing to work for a minimal wage, they'll be replaced by labor brought in from abroad, writes Lauri Läänemets.

24.04.25 OPINION ... Defense spending has been set to rise to at least 5 percent of the country's GDP. This is a necessary step for military deterrence and for repelling armed aggression. However, it is a mistake to assume that military capability alone equals national security, writes Kristian Pärt.

23.04.25 OPINION ... As climate minister, I put together a series of legislative amendment proposals to reduce administrative burdens. Protecting biodiversity and maintaining a clean environment are essential goals that must be pursued effectively, writes Yoko Alender.

22.04.25 OPINION ... The trade war presents Europe with an opportunity to leverage the situation for a strategic edge and a push to reduce its dependence on the United States — whether in the areas of technology, energy, defense or raw materials, writes Erkki Keldo.

22.04.25 OPINION ... Because the products and services offered by technology companies are closed-source or protected by intellectual property rights, they are neither transparent nor open to public auditing, Oliver Laas notes in his daily commentary on Vikerraadio.

22.04.25 OPINION ... Loneliness is such a widespread issue at every age that we may need a dedicated social response unit focused solely on recognizing relevant vital signs and listening, writes Karin Bachmann after a few months as an ambulance trainee.

21.04.25 OPINION ... In this episode of Vikerraadio's "Harri Tiido taustajutud," the focus is on Oliver Moody's perspective on the countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. According to Moody, the Baltic region spent years on the fringes of the Western imagination — even though it is in fact at the very heart of Europe.

18.04.25 OPINION ... As the EU grapples with growing instability at its periphery, Estonia has strong reasons to pay closer attention to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Though the two countries may seem worlds apart, both face pressures from rising illiberalism and Russian influence — embodied in Republika Srpska's separatist leader Milorad Dodik, writes Toni Cerkez.

17.04.25 OPINION ... In the current security landscape, technological innovation is vital to maintaining strategic advantage in great power competition, especially in responding to modern security threats posed by Russia. AI-driven initiatives are increasingly shaping military strategy, surveillance and resilience in a rapidly evolving and volatile environment, writes Louis Wierenga, University of Tartu researcher for Horizon Europe project "REMIT" (Reignite Multilateralism via Technology); Baltic Defense College lecturer for international relations

16.04.25 OPINION ... The transposition of the EU Energy Performance of Buildings Directive will bring significant changes, the full impact of which has so far received little public attention. At stake are investments totaling billions of euros that will affect every major property owner and, ultimately, consumers, writes Jaan Linnas.

16.04.25 OPINION ... How much longer can we preserve museum collections for future generations without taking action? A new heritage repository might sound like an expensive project in concrete, but in reality, it is something far greater and more important, writes museum expert Mirjam Rääbis.