On the front line of Estonia’s multi-million euro defence build-up
Estonia is one of Nato’s smallest members, but its experience of Russian occupation has contributed to high spending on defence and preparedness for attack.
Security
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Putin identifies with the founder of the Cheka. In some ways, his regime is more brutal, Russian historian said
From sentencing a citizen to 13 years for a bus stop graffiti and erasing court records to rehabilitating the architect of the ‘Red Terror,’ Felix Dzerzhinsky, Russia is rapidly backsliding into its most brutal Soviet-era habits. Russian historial Sergei Lukashevsky contends that Putin’s regime has adopted certain methods of governance that are historically familiar to the Russian bureaucracy, while appealing to Soviet nostalgia.
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![Kaupo Rosin, director general of the Estonian foreign intelligence service: 'Most [Russian] soldiers have a low IQ level; they are convicts from the lowest strata of society. This is not an army you could use for sophisticated operations. Instead, they keep sending in troops blindly, sending them to their deaths'](/criselda-https-static.euobserver.com/2026/04/1.webp)
[Interview] Estonia’s spy chief: Russia cannot replenish fallen soldiers – they have a serious battlefield problem
Estonia’s foreign intelligence service chief Kaupo Rosin reflects on a whole-of-society approach to defence, one unexpected threat to Europe, and what he realised at 16.
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Europe must prepare for the age of nuclear weapons, expert warns
Michal Onderčo, a nuclear weapons expert from the University of Rotterdam who recently published the book Europe’s Nuclear Umbrella, warns that due to the threat from Russia and the US pivot away from Europe, the era in which European leaders did not have to worry about the issue of nuclear deterrence has ended.
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British firm to guard EU diplomats in Beirut
The EU has hired G4S, the world’s largest security company, to guard its diplomats in Lebanon, amid increasing violence.
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MEPs voice worry on security deals at EU embassies
MEPs have voiced concern about security arrangements at EU embassies, amid a “surprising” new decision on bodyguards in Kabul.
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Controversial British firm wins EU security job in Gaza
The EU diplomatic service has confirmed that British company PPS will guard its people in Gaza and the West Bank despite the firm’s poor track record.
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Very private security
Influential. Investigative. Independent. EUobserver is a online non-profit news outlet reporting on the European Union.
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EUobserver investigative reports
Influential. Investigative. Independent. EUobserver is a online non-profit news outlet reporting on the European Union.
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EU men with guns: A comedy of errors
Influential. Investigative. Independent. EUobserver is a online non-profit news outlet reporting on the European Union.
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Security firm wins EU contract despite tax problem
Influential. Investigative. Independent. EUobserver is a online non-profit news outlet reporting on the European Union.
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About Andrew Rettman
Influential. Investigative. Independent. EUobserver is a online non-profit news outlet reporting on the European Union.
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EU bins security contract, annoys Libya
Influential. Investigative. Independent. EUobserver is a online non-profit news outlet reporting on the European Union.
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EU to spend €50mn on private security in Afghanistan
Influential. Investigative. Independent. EUobserver is a online non-profit news outlet reporting on the European Union.
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Question marks over EU contract for Libya security firm
The EU’s foreign relations service has awarded a juicy contract to British security firm G4S in Libya despite the fact it has no permission to work there.
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Ashton to spend €15mn on private security firms
Influential. Investigative. Independent. EUobserver is a online non-profit news outlet reporting on the European Union.
