Human Security Archives - ICDS

Human Security

Distance is Not a Shield. Russia’s Transnational Repression in Wartime

The transnational repression toolkit that the Kremlin employs to target its citizens abroad is wide, and the international connections exploited are many. The latent threat of repression even while abroad means that distance is no barrier against the Kremlin. While cases of assassination remain controversial, cases of Russian transnational coercion, delegitimisation, blacklisting, coerced returns, and surveillance are routinely documented by human rights organisations and the press.

Publications

Reining in Autonomous Weapons. Impact on Military Innovation – An Estonian Perspective

Robotic platforms, artificial intelligence, and weapons with autonomous functions have become central to defence innovation. Major powers rely on emerging technologies to achieve and maintain strategic advantages over their potential adversaries. Yet more developed AI-based solutions produce not only more sophisticated technologies but also a not-less-sophisticated set of problems.

Commentary

Putin’s Contracting Matrix

Determined to ensure that in retreat, he imposes the maximum pain on others, Russia’s president, Vladimir Putin is making the most of the increasingly unforgiving constraints of his environment.

Commentary

Chronology and Consequences of Russia’s Postponement of Its Constitutional Amendments and Victory Parade

Covid-19 started to spread in China in December 2019. The health authorities in Wuhan (Hubei province) reported the disease on New Year’s Eve. The suspected source of the disease – the Huanan wet market – was closed down on the 1st of January.

Commentary

Hungary’s “Coronavirus Law”: How Power Becomes Unlimited?

On 30th March 2020, the Hungarian Parliament adopted a so-called “coronavirus law”, by claiming that efficiently combating the coronavirus pandemic would require extraordinary measures and the ability to make rapid decisions, should that become necessary.

Commentary

First Steps towards the Estonian Media Space

ETV+, the Estonian National Broadcast’s TV-channel targeting Estonia’s Russian minority, was launched in 2015 after the occupation and annexation of Crimea as it became evident that letting Estonia’s Russian minority live solely in the Russian media space would pose a security risk.

Commentary

The Closure of Talsinki

In Southern Europe, the EU seems to be getting a lot of attention in the context of the coronavirus crisis. Italy has been decrying the lack of European solidarity and French president Emmanuel Macron has made strong appeals for more of it. Following the debates in the north-eastern corner of Europe, one rather gets the impression that people are forgetting about the EU. In Estonia and Finland—countries that I follow the closest—Brussels is not expected to help countries out of the crisis—national leaders are.