Ukraine’s Situation Mirrors Finland in 1944

According to Pasi Paroinen, an analyst from the Finnish Black Bird Group, Ukraine's attack on Kursk has resulted in Russian forces advancing approximately ten kilometers in the Donetsk region. Therefore, Ukrainians should consider repositioning their troops from the Russian side to the Donetsk area.

This reminded me of Finland’s situation in 1944. At that time, the Finnish Army controlled vast areas north of Lake Ladoga in Russian East Karelia, and there was reluctance to relinquish these territories, as they were thought to have potential as bargaining chips in peace negotiations to end World War II.

As a result, Finland's military strength on the front south of Lake Ladoga—in the Karelian Isthmus—was left insufficient. This became evident when the Soviet Union launched a massive offensive from the direction of Leningrad (St. Petersburg) on June 9.

Consequently, Finland’s defensive lines quickly collapsed, and the Russians advanced about a hundred kilometers within ten days. Simultaneously, the Finns hastily shifted their forces from East Karelia to the area between Lake Ladoga and the Baltic sea.

With this repositioning—and support from the German air force—the Finns ultimately managed to halt the Soviet strategic offensive in the battles of Tali-Ihantala, Äyräpää-Vuosalmi, and the Bay of Viipuri. They even stopped the Red Army’s attack north of Lake Ladoga in the Battle of Ilomantsi, where the Soviets were eventually forced to retreat in panic.

As a result of these battles, Finland retained its independence and a Western societal structure after World War II, unlike other Soviet border states. By the 1970s, Finland had developed into a so-called welfare state, following the model of its western neighbor, Sweden.

So, it remains to be seen how the war in Ukraine will unfold. Hopefully, history will not repeat itself in such a way that the Russians advance in Donetsk as they did on the Karelian Isthmus in 1944. However, if history does repeat itself, Ukrainians must do as the Finns did in 1944: reposition their forces into new positions and decisively defeat the Russians.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Ukraine Plans to Recruit 160,000 Soldiers, but Will It Turn the Tide of the War?
Estonia is Arming its Military, but Does the Nation Have the Will to Defend Itself?
Turning Points in the War in Ukraine and the West's Responsibility

Ukraine Plans to Recruit 160,000 Soldiers, but Will It Turn the Tide of the War?

In Finland, one common question surrounding the war between Ukraine and Russia has been why Ukraine has not declared a general mobilization, despite having too few men on the front lines. However, this perspective is somewhat too Finnish.

This is because mobilization is only useful if the summoned forces have received military training. In Finland, this is not a problem, as men are subject to universal conscription, and women can receive military training if they wish.

In Ukraine, however, there is no universal conscription, so a general mobilization alone would not be of any benefit. Instead, it would be wise for Ukrainians — and it would have been wise long ago — to start training both men and women as soldiers.

Secondly, soldiers need to have proper equipment to be effective. This has apparently not been the case for Ukraine, which is why mobilization has not been timely — nor have Ukrainians been hunters in the same way as Finnish soldiers during the Winter War, who were able to bring their own clothing and other "Model Cajander" supplies and, at least in the case of those in the Civil Guard, their own rifles.

* * *

However, the situation has now changed, as it was yesterday reported that Ukraine intends to expand its army by 160,000 soldiers. The recruitment of new soldiers is planned to take place over the next three months, and if successful, the recruits will apparently be given some form of military training and necessary equipment.

On paper, 160,000 soldiers is a considerable force. For comparison, the wartime strength of the Finnish army is 280,000 combatants, so Ukraine’s additional recruitment could potentially be equivalent to more than half of Finland’s wartime forces.

However, it remains to be seen whether recruitment will succeed. And if it does, what will the fighting capability of these new Ukrainian forces be?

In this regard, the composition of the forces is crucial — in other words, will Ukrainians succeed in recruiting motivated, fit, and healthy individuals, or more or less problematic ones? Secondly, it’s essential to remember that the quality of the training provided will significantly impact the forces' ability to carry out their assigned tasks.

Thirdly, it’s worth noting that even a well-prepared military unit is not fully ready before its first battle. It needs what is known as a successful baptism by fire, during which the soldiers overcome their natural fear and maintain their operational capability in a situation where the danger of death is immediate due to the enemy.

A fourth critical factor is equipping the recruited soldiers. That is, can Ukraine, in its current situation, ensure its forces’ weaponry and supply so that they can operate effectively under the enemy’s constant pressure? My esteemed reader might recall the Ukrainians’ past complaints about shortages of arms supplies.

If — and when — Ukraine successfully navigates all the challenges mentioned above, their decision may indeed lead to a significant shift in the battle situation. This could mean putting the Russian army on the defensive or even driving it into a cycle of defeat.

Of course, this is to be hoped for, but it’s still too early to jump to conclusions. We must wait and see how well Ukraine manages to strengthen its forces.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Western Countries Must Stay United Against the Russian Threat
Bad News for Vladimir Putin and His Imperialistic Dreams
General Pekka Toveri, the Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for Ukraine

Nordic Nations Unite Against the Growing Threat of Cross-Border Organized Crime

Organized crime, which primarily seeks financial gain through drug trafficking, has become an increasing problem in the Nordic countries. It no longer respects national borders but instead spreads from one country to another. For these reasons, during the Nordic Council meeting in Reykjavik, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Iceland announced that they would strengthen their cooperation to combat organized crime.

According to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, "In Norway, we can see parts of these networks coming from Sweden in all of our police districts. We must fight them together. When crime begins to cross borders, the police, government, and judicial systems must also engage in cross-border cooperation."

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen also highlighted the organized crime coming across the border from Sweden, stating, "We cannot accept this. We are working closely with Sweden to address this issue."

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo likewise described gang crime and cross-border crime as a serious problem. He cited the cooperation between Finnish and Swedish police in the northern Baltic region as a good example of cross-border collaboration.

The roots of Nordic gang crime are in Sweden—likely because Sweden has practiced an even more generous immigration policy than the other Nordic countries. Only time will tell, however, whether the Nordic countries will succeed in reversing this trend or whether they will gradually transform into more closed societies in which people's basic security is slowly eroded.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finland’s Minister of Finance Believes Not All Cultures Are Equally Good
Immigration-Specific Violent Crime Increases as Humanitarian Immigration Continues
Sweden's Gang Crime Recruits Children – Is It Time for the EU to Reevaluate Asylum Policies?

Finland’s Minister of Finance Believes Not All Cultures Are Equally Good

According to Finland’s Minister of Finance, Riikka Purra (Finns Party), “No single tradition, attitude, or practice alone constitutes the core of Finnish culture. Finnishness is a unique combination of language, customs, values, symbols, and other elements". 

She also added that "This Finnish way of life has guaranteed progress here in the North. Year after year, research has shown that we Finns are among the happiest people in the world—even though there are fewer than six million of us. Probably not despite Finnish and Nordic culture, but rather because of it.”

Of course, this was a celebration of Finnish culture based on facts, yet it’s likely that Finnish media will give more attention to her statement that “when we evaluate things from the perspective of equality and non-discrimination, not all cultures and ways of life are equally good.” This claim aligns poorly with the currently popular DEI and woke ideologies, that often suggest that while cultures may be different, they are equally good.

In this sense, it will be interesting to see how Finland’s generally left-leaning mainstream media reacts to the Finance Minister’s views. Will her comment spark what is colloquially called a “shitstorm,” or will it prompt a reasoned discussion on different cultures and how they should be considered in Finnish immigration policy?

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Mistreatment of Women at the Olympics?
The stabbing of the 12-year-old led to political revelry among the left in Finland
A Finnish police officer is afraid to speak about the problems of immigration

Elections in Georgia and Japan: The Future of Democracy on Different Paths

In Georgia, it is very likely that the elections were rigged. At the same time, the country's attempts to distance itself from Russia seem to be coming to an end—unless a popular uprising or some other unexpected event occurs in the future.

Another set of elections is also underway, where power may change hands. This time it's Japan, and there is no doubt that the election results can be trusted—not even by the politicians who lose the election.

There are two major differences between Georgia and Japan. First, their political positions are entirely different. Japan has been a stable democracy supported by the United States since the end of World War II. Georgia, on the other hand, has experienced at least a tumultuous path since its liberation from the Soviet Union, colored by Russia's presence.

However, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, for example, also freed themselves from Soviet rule in the early 1990s, and a significant portion of their populations are Russian. In these countries, the native populations—Estonians, Latvians, and Lithuanians—quickly took control of the state apparatus and shut down Russian attempts to influence.

Even the Russian minorities in these countries no longer wish to be under Russia's control—although they may not fully adapt to the majority ways of life in their own countries either. In any case, all three countries share a strong consensus among their citizens that Russia will not be allowed to interfere in their affairs.

For this reason, it is important to note that all the Baltic states, after gaining their independence, integrated as quickly as possible both economically and militarily with Western nations. Accordingly, they shaped their societies to meet the standards required for such integration.

This has not been the case in Georgia, where a large portion of the population wishes to keep the country within Russia's sphere of influence. Even by conservative estimates, around 40% of the population supports this view. 

As a result, Georgia's future does not seem very promising. At best, the country appears to be on a path that will lead to the loss of its true freedom and its transformation into a Russian vassal state, much like Belarus.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Estonia is Arming its Military, but Does the Nation Have the Will to Defend Itself?
Putin´s Russia got mad about the Finnish chairman of the Parliament
Daniel Freund demanded a ban to Viktor Orbán

Changing the Clocks Reduces Trust in the European Union

The European Union will once again switch to standard time tonight. This happens despite the fact that 84 percent of Europeans would prefer to completely abandon the foolish and costly practice of changing the clocks twice a year.

I call it costly because it has been proven to cause fatigue, impair memory, concentration, and attention. In addition, people’s reaction times slow down, increasing their likelihood of making mistakes. This raises the risk of accidents and mishaps—and these errors don't improve work quality either.

On the other hand, there is no demonstrated benefit to the clock changes themselves. To understand this, one must be able to distinguish between the act of shifting the clocks back and forth and the impact of time zones on people. Even though daylight saving time might suit people well, its benefits could be achieved simply by a permanent shift to a later time zone—meaning the abandonment of the shift back to standard time.

Despite all these well-known facts, the clocks are still being adjusted. And the reason is none other than the inability of the European Union and its member states to implement a decision that has already been made in 2019.

Therefore, I would like to ask Ursula van der Leyen and the other members of the Commission, as well as the Members of the European Parliament, how they think this inability fosters people’s trust in the Union or its effectiveness in promoting the well-being of its citizens.

And yes. I am well aware that my question is rhetorical, and that every single European knows the answer. And the real answer to my rhetoric certainly doesn’t help promote the good things for which the EU was created.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
The EU Is Suffocating Under Double Bureaucracy
EU Decision-Makers Did the Bear a Disservice
During the Eurovision song spectacle, the incompetence of EU officials was revealed

Immigration Policy Must Take Artificial Intelligence and Robots into Account

Birth rates have declined rapidly in nearly all industrialized countries. This is said to cause sustainability gaps and labor shortages, which has sparked much discussion in East Asia and Europe, including in Finland.

Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo (NCP), announced yesterday that his government will implement measures to promote labor-based immigration while simultaneously tightening humanitarian immigration laws to a Nordic level. He also stated, “labor-based immigration is what we need to promote and what we want to promote. We need it.”

Another representative from a major governing party, Jani Mäkelä, chair of the Finns Party’s parliamentary group, also weighed in on the matter. According to him, the forecast’s fulfillment is uncertain since recent increased immigration primarily stems from Ukrainians, whose influx into Finland is unlikely to continue for long.

Despite this, he too noted that “the government is taking the right actions regarding labor-based immigration, tightening the requirements for entry and work eligibility. Those who remain in the country under these conditions are likely to contribute quite positively to the national economy.”

* * *

I can largely agree with these views, but I also want to remind everyone that while the government may be setting our immigration policy on a clearly more sensible path, this approach should hold after the 2027 parliamentary elections as well. I don’t believe the election results will be determined so much by the immigration policy pursued but rather by the general economic policies in place.

For this reason, the government should ensure that Finland and its public finances turn towards growth by early 2026 at the latest, so that this will have a tangible impact on people’s lives before the spring of 2027 when elections are held. Otherwise, we risk a return to power by the left, leading to the dilution of the reforms made now and a shift toward economically and domestically unsustainable immigration policies.

* * *

In this context, we should also note that technology is currently advancing at an exceptionally rapid pace. It is practically certain that robots guided by artificial intelligence will replace an increasing number of workers every day.

For instance, I am fully confident that if I ever end up in a nursing home, I will be cared for there—following Japan’s example—by robots. Their use won’t be limited to elderly care; robots and AI will replace various types of workers during my lifetime.

AI is already being used today, for example, in programming or determining the spatial structure of proteins. I see no fundamental obstacle to AI-driven robots in the future building opera houses or managing the entire agricultural production chain—from grain cultivation to animal slaughter, meat packaging, and delivery to stores.

It’s also virtually certain that AI robots will, at some point, be handing out ski poles by day and serving beer to vacationers at ski resorts by night. I wouldn’t be surprised to one day see a company whose owner selects an AI as its CEO or a research team with independent AI and robotic members—first steps toward this have already been seen.

In other words, the labor market will undergo radical changes within this century. Thus, there’s no need for sudden demographic policy panic reactions, even if it is currently wise to invest somewhat in labor-based immigration to address the acute labor shortage and, of course, to make it feasible for young people to have children if and when they wish to.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
The difficult times for Finland's economy are coming to an end
A caliphate was demanded in Germany
The change in the demographic structure of Helsinki

Highlights of the BRICS Meeting in Kazan, Russia

BRICS is an intergovernmental organization comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia, and the United Arab Emirates. It is a geopolitical bloc, with governments meeting annually at formal summits to coordinate multilateral policies.

This year's meeting in Kazan, Russia, has brought up some interesting developments, which I would like to present to you, my esteemed reader.

The Portuguese UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, attended a summit hosted by Vladimir Putin, a man who did not participate in the previous BRICS meeting to avoid being arrested under an international arrest warrant. I wonder whether the UN Secretary-General is unaware of the political implications of this or if he knowingly chooses to support the Russian dictator.

In any case, I do not believe his visit enhances the respect for the UN among people in Western countries. However, I am certain his popularity will rise in some other parts of the world.

President Vladimir Putin presented a symbolic BRICS currency proposal. However, the head of Russia's Central Bank, Elvira Nabiullina, was not in favor of the idea.

I can’t help but wonder how long it will take before Nabiullina's body is found under a window somewhere in Russia. That seems to be the fate of Russians who disagree with Mr. Putin.

Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro declared that “Venezuela is part of this BRICS family. We apply the principles of BRICS with historical conviction. The time has come for a balanced world, which is multipolar and multicentric. BRICS can count on Venezuela and on the full revolutionary strength of our historical project.”

Given the collapse of the Venezuelan currency - the Bolivar - it is clear that anything would be an improvement in terms of stability. On the other hand, Venezuela's inclusion could have a highly negative effect on any new currency. It will be interesting to see if, for example, China would be willing to join a currency shared with Venezuela.

Finally, it is worth noting a prime example of a kind of transparent dishonesty heard at the meeting. It was said by Putin, who, without batting an eye and without acknowledging his own guilt, rambled on that "unfortunately, there are many armed conflicts on our planet, including at Russia's borders. It is truly unfortunate that there is this armed conflict in Ukraine."

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Resisting Putin’s Foolish Dreams
Does China prove the superiority of market economy?
Lessons from Venezuela

Resisting Putin’s Foolish Dreams

Russia is hosting the BRICS summit in Kazan, Russia. The host nation's president, Vladimir Putin indirectly acknowledged his secondary role by referring to China's president, Xi Jinping, as his dear friend.

According to Putin, cooperation between China and Russia is one of the most important factors in "balancing the world". This claim is, of course, at the very least, interesting given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s posturing toward Taiwan and Japan.

Putin also wanted to paint visions of the future, like something out of a sci-fi movie. He stated that "we will continue to work with China to establish a new fair world order." A sentence somewhat reminiscent of how Adolf Hitler and Benito Mussolini might have phrased things in the late 1930s.

The positive aspect, however, is that Putin does not have the power to reshape the world order. And China likely has no desire even for a trade war now, considering its own economic struggles. Sure, some other BRICS countries—like South Africa or Iran—might be willing to side with Putin, but they don't hold significant weight in the bigger picture.

In this situation, it's important that the major Western nations stay united, both after the U.S. presidential elections and as anti-immigration parties in Europe grow more influential with each election, while also avoiding unnecessary provocation of China despite staying tough. Only by doing so can we ensure that BRICS leaders don’t get any ideas about pursuing Putin’s foolish dreams. 

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Vladimir Putin is Leading Russia into an Economic Ruin
Western Countries Must Stay United Against the Russian Threat
Rising Trade Tensions Between the EU and China

A Homosexual Rape Underscores the Need for Change in Immigration Policy

A strange case occurred in Finland, for which the Court sentenced Muhammad Yusri Bin Jaafar, 34, to three years in prison for rape and unlawful threats. The crime took place at the end of November 2023 in Helsinki.

The victim, a man, had been partying exuberantly with his friend at a nightclub and met someone there whom he assumed to be a woman. This person lured the victim to their home, where both undressed.

At that point, the victim realized that the "woman" was actually a trans man and stated that he was not interested in having sex with him. Despite this, Bin Jaafar pulled him into the bedroom and forced him to perform sexual acts.

The victim was distressed, groaned, and begged the perpetrator to let him leave. Eventually, he managed to push the rapist off and ran back to the nightclub to tell his friend about the incident.

The rapist had also demanded 200 euros from his victim, threatened him with sexual acts and violence, and said he would call attackers if he did not receive the money. The newspaper article reporting the incident did not specify at what point this threat was made.

* * *

I wrote about this case because it shows that immigrants pose a sexual threat not only to women but also to men. After all, there are naturally homosexual individuals among them, just as there are in other population groups.

And based on this case, they do not seem to behave any differently from their heterosexual counterparts, whose - immigrants' - share of rapes in Finland in 2021 was as high as 30.6%, while their share of the population at the time was around eight percent.

For this reason, it is great that 17 EU countries have demanded a change in the Union’s immigration policy, so that those who have unjustly applied for asylum can be effectively deported back to their home countries. Finland has signed the initiative.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
The Role of Ukraine Aid in the Elections of Thuringia and Saxony, Germany
Sweden's Rapid Demographic Shift Causes Challenges
A Finnish police officer is afraid to speak about the problems of immigration

Vladimir Putin is Leading Russia into an Economic Ruin

Finland's Minister of the Interior, Lulu Ranne (Finns Party), stated that there are clear indications of sabotage organized by Russia in Finland, even though there is no conclusive evidence. However, there are circumstantial signs of Russia's involvement, such as breaches in Finland's water supply systems.

That said, Finns have no need to worry, as the country's authorities are prepared for a wide range of threats. Additionally, the police have been strengthened to face and counter armed attacks, which might target the police rather than soldiers.

Such attacks could include terrorist strikes or sabotage organized by Russia. To combat these and other destructive actions, Finland's police have acquired armored vehicles since the mid-2010s.

It is unfortunate that Putin's Russia has proven to be an unfit neighbor, acting in international relations like a pig in its pen. As a result, it misses out on the benefits that international trade and cooperation could offer—and once did offer during the Soviet era.

At that time, as much as a quarter of Finland's foreign trade was conducted with the Soviet Union. And in the later stages, when socialist technology fell behind that of the West, oil and other raw materials were used as “currency” to purchase Finnish technological products. These resources were then refined in Finland and sold on the international market.

However, those good times are now over, and Vladimir Putin is leading his country deeper into economic ruin. As a result, he will eventually be ousted from his position as one of the world's leaders—sooner or later.

* * *

Finally, a slightly different matter. I was very pleased today when I noticed that, despite his efforts, Putin failed to prevent Moldova from aligning itself more closely with a free Europe.

I am, of course, referring to the referendum on whether Moldova's constitution should include a commitment to seeking membership in the European Union. At the time of writing, it has become clear that this will happen, albeit with only a small majority of votes. This is yet another defeat for Putin on his and Russia's path to destruction.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Russia Pays the Price for Its Foolishness
Russian Tax Overhaul: Citizens to Bear the Burden of War Losses
History of Finland XV: Paasikivi-Kekkonen doctrine

North Korea's Military Support to Russia: A Dangerous Escalation in Global Conflict?

According to South Korean intelligence, North Korea has sent 1,500 special operations forces (SOF) soldiers to Russia, with more expected in the near future. In total, North Korea has decided to send 12,000 soldiers to Russia, according to the intelligence service.

The soldiers have been provided with Russian military uniforms, weapons, and forged identification documents. The documents are forged in order to conceal the fact that the soldiers are from North Korea.

If and when these Korean soldiers reach the front lines, it would represent a dangerous escalation of the war, shifting from a conflict between two states to an alliance-based attack on a single nation. This would be somewhat similar to the origins of World War I, where more and more countries became involved in a fight that initially started between two nations — Serbia and Austria-Hungary. However, the timeline is longer in this case.

That’s why it’s interesting to see how leading Western countries - especially USA - and NATO will respond to North Korea’s involvement in this situation. Will Putin's army be allowed to strengthen with the help of an ally, or will there be countermeasures? And if there are countermeasures, what will they be?

Personally, I find it more likely that the U.S. will agree that Ukraine may use the weapons it has received from them for strikes on Russian territory if it wishes. It is also quite possible that Western nations will declare a no-fly zone over Ukrainian airspace and shoot down any military equipment that enters it.

However, I do not consider it even remotely possible that any Western nation would deploy its own military forces for combat operations in Ukraine, let alone direct military threats at North Korea. But I could be wrong.

So, we are living in tense times right now. It’s not entirely impossible that the situation could spiral out of control for both Putin and the leaders of Western nations, turning into something that no one really wanted.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Western Countries Must Stay United Against the Russian Threat
Putin's understanding and the battle between the gods
Military advice: Ukraine needs modern tanks

Estonia is Arming its Military, but Does the Nation Have the Will to Defend Itself?

The Estonian Defense Forces have begun to significantly develop their naval combat capabilities. One example of this is that the northernmost Baltic country has acquired Blue Spear anti-ship missiles this year, which can also be used against land-based targets. The range of these missiles extends from Estonian territory to areas off the coast of St. Petersburg and as far as the northern parts of Kaliningrad. Additionally, the missile's guidance system cannot be electronically disrupted.

Estonia is also accelerating its weapons, ammunition, and drone production. To facilitate this, it plans to build a defense industry park, which is expected to attract €150 million in investments within just a couple of years.

Estonia already has Korean K9 Thunder howitzers, and more are on the way. Furthermore, it has ordered Caesar howitzers from France and HIMARS rocket systems, which have proven extremely effective in Ukraine.

However, Estonia's navy is very small, and the country also lacks a proper air force. For this reason, the effectiveness of its defense forces depends heavily on the support of other NATO countries in the event of a crisis. In this regard, Finland is likely to play a key role.

Nevertheless, Finnish military historian Martti Turtola has expressed doubts about the Estonians' willingness to defend their country. This was also lacking in 1939 when the country, under pressure from the Soviet Union, signed an agreement that gave the Red Army free access to Estonia.

As a result of this decision, the Soviet Union occupied all of Estonia without resistance in 1940, and after World War II, it remained a part of the "workers' paradise" ruled by Stalin and his successors for five decades. In this sense, one can only hope that Turtola is wrong and that Estonians have learned something from their history. One would hope they would defend their country as resolutely as the Finns did in the Winter War of 1939–1940, thereby preserving their independence and Western way of life.

Aiempia ajatuksia samasta aihepiiristä:
NATO's Northern Europe Headquarters to be Established in Mikkeli, Finland's Former Military Command City
Will Russia Test NATO's Article Five?
Estonias voted for economic liberalism

Western Countries Must Stay United Against the Russian Threat

According to Finland's former ambassador to Washington, Mikko Hautala, Russia poses both an acute and a long-term threat to Finland. He also does not believe in a democratic future for Russia.

Instead, Putinism will continue in Russia even after the current leader, Vladimir Putin, leaves his position, which will likely happen within the next ten years. As a result, Finland’s eastern border will remain closed for years—if not decades—according to the ambassador.

For this reason, Finland should be prepared for a full-scale and prolonged war. At the same time, to deter Russia’s potential aggression, Finland must strengthen its military deterrence and create sufficient force to stop a possible Russian attack.

This would mean enhancing the current—already strong—army’s responsiveness and combat capability. For example, by creating a "semi-professional" reserve of approximately 50,000 soldiers who train annually and are well-armed, expanding the military fortifications along the eastern border, and significantly increasing defense spending. Additionally, Finland’s economy must remain stable, and the country's domestic defense industry should be developed into as significant an exporter as possible to ensure it can produce sufficient arms for the military in a crisis.

Ambassador Hautala also estimates that Russia’s military industry and economy will be able to continue producing enough military material to compensate for the losses in Ukraine. Nor does he believe that the Russian people will rise against the war, despite the heavy casualties.

This also applies to those who do not necessarily support the war, as even they do not accept defeat or the reparations for the war’s destruction. According to Hautala, "for the majority of Russians, taking responsibility for the war is almost impossible... In reality, public opinion supports the war of aggression."

The ambassador also reminds us that completely defeating a nuclear power is not possible. On the other hand, using nuclear weapons in Ukraine would be highly risky, even if Zelensky's army—with Western support—were to gain the upper hand in the war against Russia.

The views expressed above are serious and should be considered by decision-makers in Finland and other countries. Especially, it should be clear in all situations that neither Vladimir Putin nor the Russians, in general, should be given the impression that Russia could win a war against the Western world. Therefore, Western countries must remain united against the threat it poses—especially now, in Ukraine.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Bad News for Vladimir Putin and His Imperialistic Dreams
General Pekka Toveri, the Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for Ukraine
Finland Must Avoid Ukraine’s Fate

Managing Societal Change with a Growing Muslim Population

Of the "vulnerable" refugees who have come to Sweden, 79 percent have returned to vacation in the country they fled from due to distress and persecution. Additionally, 81 percent of those who have arrived from outside Europe intend to remain in Sweden for the rest of their lives, regardless of how the human rights situation develops in their home countries.

There are no similar statistics for Finland, but I believe they would be quite comparable. Thus, it is clear that both Sweden and Finland - as well as most other European countries - will have to continue living with a growing Muslim population that tends to avoid adopting the Western way of life.

It would be wise for the political leaders of these countries to recognize this issue, so they can take corrective measures. In my view, key steps include reducing the pull factors for those considering coming from Muslim countries and improving the conditions for societal success for those who have already arrived in the Nordic countries.

In this regard, I consider the most important issue to be reducing the prevalence of consanguineous marriages - which are typical in many immigrant groups - through education and legislation. This is because it would reduce the mental and physical health problems that - due to recessive gene traits - occur more frequently in immigrant communities than in the general population.

It is also important to ensure that special attention is paid to women’s rights and status in the education of immigrant children. This should start in preschool and continue in schools, making it clear that all people are equally entitled to the same rights.

As a sign of this, the wearing of face-covering garments should be banned, and there should be no special services for women, such as separate swimming times, which are in reality aimed at Muslim women. These services are specifically rooted in gender inequality.

Third, I would address immigrant crime by ensuring that any immigrant convicted of a crime with a maximum sentence of over a year in prison is always and without exception deported back to their country of origin. This should be done even if the person has already acquired citizenship in their new home country. This could reduce the disproportionately high rates of drug, sexual, violent crimes and homicides among immigrants.

Fourth, I raise the issue mentioned at the beginning of this article about refugees vacationing in their home countries. Such behavior should naturally be seen as an indication that the person no longer needs refugee status, and it should be revoked. 

This is especially important if children have been taken back to their former home country to learn the customs of their own culture — and, in fact, to experience violence and/or be married off to a relative. In these cases, however, I would not send the child back to their home country, but would instead arrange for the parents themselves to return to their childhood homeland.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Society, Genetics, and the Impact of Consanguineous Marriages: At the Intersection of Education and Heredity
Drugs, Zombies, Girls, and Killers, as well as Swedish Deportation Flights
Important Changes Ahead: What You Need to Know About Finland’s Quota Refugee Selection

Did You Know That 1952 Was a Turning Point in World Eras?

My dear reader surely knows that dinosaurs disappeared from Earth at the end of the Cretaceous period, after which the Cenozoic and subsequently the Quaternary period began. The last epoch of the Quaternary is the Holocene, which is officially ongoing in our time.

However, many researchers would like to name a new geological era for the time dominated by humanity. This era has been proposed to be called the Anthropocene. There has been some disagreement about when exactly this era began, although it is generally thought to represent the time when the cumulative impact of human activity began to significantly affect Earth's systems.

The problem lies specifically in the fact that the spatial and temporal variations of human impact are quite significant. That is why it was interesting to read an article by the Japanese researcher Michinobu Kuwae and colleagues, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the USA, in which they compiled data on human impacts from 137 locations around the world over the past 7,700 years.

The researchers identified three periods during which human influence increased significantly. The first period occurred between 1855 and 1890, when significant changes related to the Industrial Revolution took place, such as increases in soil lead concentrations and shifts in the nutrient balances of lakes.

Between 1909 and 1944, changes were observed in pollen compositions, increases in black carbon concentrations, and widespread changes in stable isotopes. The third shift identified by the researchers occurred between 1948 and 1953, which saw a significant increase in organic pollutants and microplastics, as well as the emergence of plutonium and modern carbon-14 from nuclear explosions.

According to the researchers, the period between 1948 and 1953 represents the most significant global increase in human impact, leading to rapid changes in natural systems and important geochemical indicators. Therefore, they propose that the beginning of the Anthropocene should be placed in 1952.

I myself support this year, as many other significant events happened then beyond those mentioned in the study. I am, of course, referring to the fact that the Helsinki Olympics were held that year, and Finnish beauty, Armi Kuusela, was crowned Miss Universe.

Additionally, the beginning of the Anthropocene in 1952 is strongly supported by the fact that it was the year when Finland made its final war reparations payment to the Soviet Union, and Coca-Cola began to be imported and sold in the country. Unfortunately, Finland's first jet fighter was introduced only the following year, but it was still on January 22nd, so let's count that too as a sign of the beginning of a new era in world history.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
The Historical Merging of Human Groups
History of Finland IX: Enlightended dictator initiated economic growth
Human curiosity altered an orbit of an asteroid

Iranian Surge to Finland

The Finnish Wrestling Federation has been seeking a head coach. A total of around 80 applicants expressed interest in the position, of which as many as 50 turned out to be Iranian. This is surprising, even though Iran is among the strongest countries in the world in both wrestling styles.

However, the chairman of the Finnish Wrestling Federation, Pekka Paavola, speculated that not every applicant's motivation is driven by a burning passion for developing Finnish wrestling. Or even for working in wrestling at all.

Instead, he noted, "Iran is certainly known as a country where wrestling is a huge and successful sport, and of course, there are many good coaches as a result. I can't definitively assess their reasons for applying, but perhaps access to the Schengen area is an attraction for some applicants."

This may be hinted at by the fact that some of the Iranian applications were written in Iran's own languages, such as Farsi or Arabic, which naturally gave the recruiters an indication of the applicant's ability to use English as a working language in Finland. Therefore, they are unlikely to secure the position in my northern homeland.

It remains to be seen who will eventually be selected. However, in advance, the current executive director of the Wrestling Federation, Pasi Sarkkinen, can be seen as the frontrunner. Sarkkinen previously served as head coach of Greco-Roman wrestling from 2001 to 2004. During that time, Finland won five senior-level championship medals and its most recent Olympic medal was brought home by Marko Yli-Hannuksela from Athens in 2004.

Aiempia ajatuksia samasta aihepiiristä:
Immigration-Specific Violent Crime Increases as Humanitarian Immigration Continues
Everyone has the right
The human rights of immigrant women are not important in Finland

Message to Palestinians Who Want to Burden Finland's Healthcare System

A little over a year ago, the Palestinian Hamas organization decided to carry out a spectacular strike on Israel. However, after the initial celebrations, joy turned to sorrow when the target of the attack decided to utterly destroy the organization itself.

Now, the Palestinian government has asked Finland to take care of those wounded in the war of Gaza, as well as others in need of assistance. According to the organization's Minister of Health, "the children should come first. Especially children with cancer and those who have lost limbs. Additionally, there would be those to whom we wouldn't be able to provide surgical care, even if our hospitals were operational."

However, they failed to mention what would come after the medical services were up and running with the help of the children. Would terrorists, innocent women, or war criminals be next?

The Palestinian representative also forgot to mention that there have been many civilian casualties - at least partly because the terrorists of Hamas have operated from hospitals and hidden among civilians, such as in schools.

Despite all of this, support for the Hamas terrorists among the Palestinian population has not decreased—as one might expect from reasonable people—but has instead increased, even among the population of the West Bank of the Jordan River, which is typically more peaceful than Gaza. As a result, there are now even more supporters of violence among them than those who favor peaceful activities.

Based on what I’ve written above, I do not support transferring Palestinians—not even their otherwise innocent children—into the already resource-strained Finnish healthcare system. Instead, I urge the Palestinians to lay down their arms, hand over the Hamas terrorists to be judged by the courts, and direct their efforts toward peacebuilding and the creation of well-being in the areas they govern. In doing so, they can also eventually help the victims of the catastrophe started by Hamas.

Finally, I repeat the message I’ve already sent to all Palestinians, one whose significance they should consider very carefully. It’s a saying that goes, "a foolish head makes the whole body suffer." This, in a nutshell, explains why the Palestinians—and their children—are currently in such a poor situation.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
What will Happen Tomorrow, on the Anniversary of the Attack by the Terrorists on October 7th Last Year?
Palestinian Youth Require More Understanding, Less Aggression
A Fair Peace Proposal for Gaza

Society, Genetics, and the Impact of Consanguineous Marriages: At the Intersection of Education and Heredity

Many immigrant groups in Europe are known for having a high occurrence of consanguineous marriages, or incestuous unions. The issue with this can be summarized as follows: children born to closely related parents have a lower degree of heterozygosity because a significant portion of their genes comes from the same individual—for example, from a grandparent in the case of cousins. In other words, these individuals inherit identical gene variants more frequently than others.

As a result, genes that usually appear in humans as a single copy without affecting their outward characteristics, or phenotype, become visible. Among these genes, there are often many defective variants in one way or another.

The rarity of these recessive genetic defects is due to natural selection, which works against them. It operates in such a way that individuals with an observable genetic defect tend to have fewer offspring than others. Consequently, their genes do not pass on to future generations as effectively as those of other individuals.

It’s important to note that recessive genetic defects are not always clearly visible diseases. Often, they are only mildly harmful and thus primarily affect an individual’s vitality—for example, by impairing physical or mental performance—and are not considered outright diseases.

Since recessive gene variants only affect people when inherited from both parents, children born from consanguineous marriages are more likely to have disabilities. Even the seemingly healthy offspring of such unions tend to have, on average, fewer abilities than other people.

This is likely one of the most significant reasons why certain immigrant groups have struggled to succeed in Western societies, and it strongly influences the poor learning abilities observed in their children.

For this reason, consanguineous marriages should not be a taboo or off-limits topic in an increasingly diverse society but, rather, the opposite. And because this is a growing issue, the public—especially those from cultures that favor consanguinity—must be educated on the negative consequences of this tradition.

In other words, incestuous unions and their harmful societal effects must be openly discussed!

This should also be addressed—especially in schools—even if some students are themselves the offspring of cousin marriages. It is essential for them to understand this issue, break the harmful tradition of their culture, and choose spouses from outside their family.

It’s worth emphasizing that the hereditary harms caused by consanguineous marriage disappear entirely within a single generation. Therefore, even the descendants of the most inbred members of the most incestuous cultures are not doomed to the bottom of society—provided they understand the importance of not procreating with a relative.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finnish Society Adopts Medieval Characteristics
Freudian slip, 9-year-old girl and cultural appropriation
Cousin is not just a delicacy, but also a hindrance to social success

Drugs, Zombies, Girls, and Killers, as well as Swedish Deportation Flights

According to Chief Superintendent Jarmo Heinonen, "international criminal organizations operate in Finland, responsible for moving drugs from one country to another. We now have increasingly multicultural environments where people have connections, for example, to their former homelands. The number of such networks is growing rapidly."

A man named Jouni from Helsinki's Kallio, on the other hand, says that some drug users walk "as if in a zombie-like state, in a strange hunched posture." The reason for this is the synthetic drug alpha-PVP, which can cause anxiety, paranoia, and in the worst cases, psychosis.

Jouni has also noticed that "there are very young girls among the users. Some are of high school age."

Meanwhile, in a café-restaurant in Helsinki's Puhos, an area known for its Muslim population, organized crime activity has been uncovered. Tens of kilograms of cocaine were imported and sold to addicts. Police estimate that the group has distributed nearly 30 kilograms of cocaine over several years. The suspects in the crime are mostly Turkish and Syrian nationals.

According to the Finnish Broadcasting company Yle, a 44-year-old man who received a suspended sentence had been in debt to the apartment owner and attacked him, only to realize that another man in the apartment was bleeding. This was because Billah El Mouatez Zegadin, a 36-year-old man sentenced to ten years in prison for manslaughter, had slashed the victim with a knife that had a 20 cm long blade.

But every cloud has a silver lining. Sweden, which has served as a model for Finland’s previous governments, has reportedly started deporting criminal immigrants back to their home countries, according to social media.

In the first batch, a plane full of Iraqi criminals was sent back. Hopefully, Finland will follow Sweden's example in this matter before we too have neighborhoods where the reach of the national law no longer extends.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Immigration-Specific Violent Crime Increases as Humanitarian Immigration Continues
Sweden's Rapid Demographic Shift Causes Challenges
Will an ongoing trial open the eyes of politicians?

The EU Is Suffocating Under Double Bureaucracy

The European Union was originally established to ensure that Germany would no longer cause a catastrophe like those in 1914 and 1939. In this sense, the project has been highly successful.

The Union has also been successful in another way, as it has attracted – and continues to attract – new members for decades. For example, my own country, Finland, joined through a referendum at the beginning of 1995.

However, as the Union has grown, we have also witnessed a development that is all too familiar to my generation. I mean the uncontrolled growth of bureaucracy, much like what happened in the Soviet Union.

This issue was raised by former MEP and current member of the European Court of Auditors, Petri Sarvamaa (National Coalition Party). According to him, “our biggest concern is precisely that the authorities of the member states are no longer even able to properly manage this complex jungle of rules related to the EU budget and budgeting.”

Although the growth of bureaucracy in the EU has been ongoing for a long time, it has been discussed relatively little in public. Therefore, it was good that Sarvamaa brought it up, and one can only hope that his remarks gain visibility across the entire EU and are taken seriously by the Commission, so that it can start working to reduce bureaucracy.

It is quite clear that the EU will not be able to compete with the world's other economic powers if its operations are hindered by double layers of heavy bureaucracy – one at the Union level and another at the national level. In line with the principle of subsidiarity, the first should be limited to only necessary EU-wide regulations.

Otherwise, the EU will suffocate in its own bureaucracy, eventually withering into a second-rate player in global politics. And with that, it will begin a slow but steady decline, eventually culminating in the breakup of the entire Union.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Rising Trade Tensions Between the EU and China
General Pekka Toveri, the Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for Ukraine
EU Decision-Makers Did the Bear a Disservice

How to Increase Fertility Rates: A Finnish Solution

According to an article in Helsingin Sanomat, birth and total fertility rates have declined in Finland, much like in other Western countries. The development has been rapid, as in 2011 the total fertility rate for women was still 1.87, but by 2023 it had dropped to 1.26, the lowest figure ever recorded in the country.

The reason for this worrying trend is not a reluctance to have children, as 80 percent of Finns still want to have two or more children. Instead, one of the main reasons for the low number of children is that Finnish women are postponing childbearing to a relatively late stage in life due to the demands of education and careers, and likely also due to a societal climate that idealizes youth and singlehood.

Unfortunately, female biology is such that fertility declines rapidly after the age of 30. As a result, the choices made in life often lead to unwanted childlessness.

The Finnish government has not remained inactive on this issue. It has commissioned a population policy report that proposes a financial incentive for having the first child before the age of 30.

According to the proposal, the incentive could range from €10,000 to €30,000 and could be tied, for example, to a mortgage or student loan. Alternatively, it could be used to reduce taxes.

The report also suggests increasing education about fertility in schools and investing in fertility treatments by providing more resources to the public sector, reducing waiting lists, and thereby ensuring the highest possible effectiveness of the treatments.

In regard to the latter, the government has already made a proposal that would provide state support for fertility treatments in the future. However, it remains to be seen whether the other proposals in the report will also be implemented in Finland.

In my view, this matter is becoming urgent, as the Finnish population is aging rapidly with the rising median age, and immigration to Finland does not seem to attract enough people whose skills would be useful in a knowledge-based society. On the contrary, it seems to be increasing the proportion of the population that needs to be supported rather than leading to effective employment of the newcomers.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Humanitarian immigration does not provide a solution to Finland's demographic dependency ratio
The Finnish Government is Unanimous on Fixing the Country's Economy
Why Can't Finland Find Workforce?

Important Changes Ahead: What You Need to Know About Finland’s Quota Refugee Selection

Yesterday, I blogged about how Finland plans to enhance the use of its development aid funds. Additionally, two weeks ago, I wrote that even in the long term, Finns do not benefit from humanitarian immigration from developing countries.

Today, Finland's largest newspaper reported that the second main party in Finland's government, the Finns Party, plans to reduce the proportion of Muslims among the quota refugees. This would mean, for example, that Venezuelans would be prioritized over Afghans when selecting newcomers.

In practice, Finland will take 500 quota refugees next year. This happens in such a way that the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) presents a group of individuals, from which Finnish authorities ultimately select the quota refugees for Finland, based on the government's defined regional allocation.

The decision-making process in Finland proceeds as follows: under the leadership of the responsible minister from the Finns Party, a draft proposal is prepared and will be discussed by the government's Ministerial Committee on Internal Security and Justice at the end of October. Finally, the parliament will decide on the refugee quota based on the government's proposal toward the very end of the year.

One can hope that the Finns Party's proposal goes through, and that fewer individuals with a poor assimilation outlook will arrive in Finland this year. As a result, the societal burden related to quota refugees will hopefully decrease – or even turn into a positive outcome. 

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Responsible Development Aid and New Priorities: Finland's Development Cooperation Reforms
The attractiveness of Finland to welfare-seeking economic migrants reduces
Humanitarian immigration does not provide a solution to Finland's demographic dependency ratio

Responsible Development Aid and New Priorities: Finland's Development Cooperation Reforms

Finland's development cooperation will be reformed during this government term. This means that the private sector will play a larger role in delivering development aid, and limited resources will be more carefully targeted to countries that genuinely seek growth and prosperity. These changes aim to increase the effectiveness of the aid provided.

Finland will also not cooperate with countries that support the current Russian administration. Additionally, development aid will not be provided to countries that refuse to accept their citizens when they lack the necessary conditions to reside in Finland.

At the same time, the amount of development aid will be significantly reduced and focused on the rights of women and girls, as several studies have shown that countries are more stable and prosperous when there are fewer restrictions on the rights of girls and women in education and the workforce. Of all the countries in the world, Ukraine will be the largest recipient of Finland's development aid.

In my view, these policies are excellent, although one could always question whether it is wise for a heavily indebted country to take on more debt to give money to others. However, this has been the practice in Finland and will undoubtedly continue in the future.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
New aid package keeps Finland as one of Ukraine's biggest supporters
The Finnish Government is Unanimous on Fixing the Country's Economy
Getting asylum in Finland becomes significantly more difficult

Bad News for Vladimir Putin and His Imperialistic Dreams

The Russians have recently received multiple pieces of bad news. The latest, which surfaced through social media, reports that in September, Russia experienced the highest average wartime losses: 1,271 soldiers killed or wounded daily.

Additionally, also according to information from social media, the Russian army has lost the equivalent of five divisions' worth of armored equipment in the Pokrovsk area of Eastern Ukraine over the past year. This information was gathered by compiling all recorded instances of Russian equipment destruction for which there is video evidence: a total of 539 tanks and around 1,020 armored vehicles.

If losses continue at this pace, it is possible that the Russians will eventually have to abandon their gradually successful offensives in the Pokrovsk area and retreat to defensive positions.

* * *

Another drawback for Putin comes from the Russian economy. Namely, Russia's state budget for next year includes a 12% increase, mainly due to a quarter rise in military spending from this year.

Military expenditures will amount to 6.3% of the country’s GDP. Additionally, it is likely that more military expenses have been concealed, related to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

However, Russia’s economy has not developed, as the government has simply shifted more costs onto citizens and businesses. For example, the corporate tax rate is rising from 20% to 25%, and personal taxes will become progressive. In addition, the costs of housing, services, and public transport will also be increased.

As a result, inflation is expected to accelerate to at least 5.5%. Therefore, Russia’s central bank was shocked by the budget and plans to raise the key interest rate from the current 18% to 20%, but even this is considered insufficient to keep inflation in check.

Thus, next year’s Russian budget brings three pieces of bad news: the budget growth comes solely from businesses and citizens’ pockets, despite structural balance, the budget will increase inflation, and there is no end in sight to the negative trends as the invasion continues.

However, it remains to be seen how all of this will ultimately affect Putin's army's ability to wage war in Ukraine. The possible loss of its fighting ability would be really bad news for Vladimir Putin and his imperialistic dreams.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
General Pekka Toveri, the Chair of the European Parliament's Delegation for Ukraine
Putin Set a Goal — Failure Would Be an Embarrassment
Turning Points in the War in Ukraine and the West's Responsibility

What will Happen Tomorrow, on the Anniversary of the Attack by the Terrorists on October 7th Last Year?

Tomorrow, on October 7th, 2024, it will be exactly one year since the terrorist attack carried out by Palestinian Hamas, during which Jews were killed, raped, and tortured in large numbers, and hostages were taken. The attack resulted in the deaths of 1,139 people, and approximately 250 hostages were taken by the terrorists. The brutal war that followed is still ongoing.

Therefore, I am very interested to see what will happen on this anniversary. Actually, I consider it possible that Israel has chosen tomorrow as the date for its retaliatory strike against Iran due to the missile strike last week.

At the very least, this would be an easily understandable message to Iran that their actions will be met with responses on multiple levels. At the same time, it would serve as a reminder to all Palestinians eager for war that their evil deeds will not go unpunished.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Iranian Missile Attack was Followed by Humorous Flowers

Mentally Elementary-School-Aged Were Attacked, But Will Iran Come to Their Aid?
An Iranian Student's Fantasy of Two Missiles and a U.S. Aircraft Carrier

Palestinian Youth Require More Understanding, Less Aggression

According to recent information, support for the terrorist organization Hamas has grown among young Palestinians. This is because they favor armed resistance against Israel, as they do not remember the previous intifada or the heavy toll that previous wars have exacted on the Palestinian people.

This is, of course, a development that will not bring peace to the Holy Land in the foreseeable future. On the contrary, it ensures that Israel will not grant Palestinians even the freedoms they have previously enjoyed—the most significant being the potential transfer of the Gaza Strip to direct Israeli military control.

Thus, two conclusions can be drawn from this development. First, as has already been stated, the lack of understanding among Palestinians will only harm them and their people. This is best demonstrated by Gaza's miserable fate over the past year.

Secondly, we must recognize that the increasing orientation towards violence among Palestinian youth pushes the dream of Palestinian independence even further away. It is clear that Israel has no intention of continuing to be a target for Palestinian rocket attacks now, or especially in the future, if support for armed resistance continues to grow among Palestinians.

Finally, I note that if the Palestinians truly wanted peace, they would need to understand that Israel, due to its hostile surroundings, can never afford to lose a war. Therefore, it will continue to defend itself with excessive rather than minimal force, both against Palestinian uprisings and the aggressions of neighboring states.

Thus, the only realistic path to peace for the Palestinians would be to build trust with Israel. And to wait patiently, as this would eventually lead to an improvement in the status of Palestinians, either as part of Israel or as an independent state that does not threaten Israel’s security.

In this sense, there is still hope, as there are still moderate people among the Palestinians — including among the youth. Perhaps they will eventually form a majority that adopts a peaceful approach toward the existence of the Jewish state, following the example set by Egypt and Jordan.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Hassan Nasrallah Has Been Killed, but Lebanon Is Unlikely to Become the Switzerland of the Middle East Again
A Fair Peace Proposal for Gaza
Two out of three Palestinians support October 7 attack