Burning a Man Alive Led to Life Imprisonment

One of the consequences of the immigration policies practiced by Western countries has been the emergence of Islamist terrorists in Europe. This naturally means a deterioration in the security situation in the West, but also an increased burden on judicial and prison systems.

This came to my mind while reading a news article stating that a "Swedish man," Osama Krayem, had participated in the murder of a Jordanian pilot in 2014 and has now been sentenced to life imprisonment for war crimes and terrorism. The same man had previously been sentenced to 30 years in prison for the 2015 Paris and 2016 Brussels terrorist attacks.

Osama Krayem grew up in Malmö, the Swedish city most affected by immigration, and became radicalized already as a teenager. When the opportunity arose, he traveled to Syria and joined the terrorist group ISIS.

According to the court proceedings, Osama Krayem led the pilot of the plane shot down by ISIS into a metal cage and guarded it until it was set on fire with the man still alive inside. Thus, the sentence handed down now is undoubtedly well deserved, though it naturally cannot undo what was done.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Activism Without Truth
Western Countries Have Neither a Reason Nor a Need to Accept Asylum Seekers from Syria or Gaza
Three Islamists Arrested in Finland on Suspicion of Belonging to a Terrorist Group

 

Hamas at a Crossroads: Are Weapons More Important Than Gaza Belonging to the Palestinians?

The Haaretz newspaper, published in Tel Aviv, has reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has announced his intention to permanently annex parts of Gaza to Israel if Hamas refuses to agree to a ceasefire. According to him, this plan has the support of the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump

The annexation of parts of Gaza is to continue as long as Hamas refuses a ceasefire – or until the entire area has become part of Israel. However, according to Haaretz, which is known for its left-wing and socially liberal stance, Netanyahu’s plan would only lead to more Western countries recognizing the State of Palestine – something France has already announced it is considering. Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s government aims to pressure Hamas into abandoning its armed resistance.

From here in Finland, it is interesting to observe how the situation unfolds. Will Hamas – and its leadership – acknowledge that it has reached a dead end, or will it continue armed resistance, thereby placing the entire population of Gaza in a situation where they permanently lose their homes?

It also remains to be seen what France and its president, Emmanuel Macron, will do if Hamas refuses to lay down its arms and recognize Israel – conditions he has previously stated are prerequisites for recognition. Or will the potential annexation of Gaza areas lead him to forgo even these conditions before recognizing Palestine?

More broadly, I find the entire recognition debate absurd. After all, Palestine does not exist as a state, so its recognition would change the very definition of an independent state. It would therefore be more of a disingenuous political gesture than a serious acknowledgment of a state-level reality.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Hamas Continues the Suffering of Gaza's Civilians
A Night at the Opera
When Demands Become Damage

AI Drones: Ukraine’s New Edge in the War?

The Financial Times reported that Ukraine is now using a new type of American-German drone, which can operate independently using its own artificial intelligence. If this information is accurate, it marks another significant step forward in the evolution of warfare.

As a consequence, Ukraine’s technological superiority over Russian forces is increasing, shifting the balance—at least to some degree—in favor of the defenders, who have so far been the underdogs. Whether this will be enough to reverse the course of events on the front lines remains to be seen.

Naturally, this news is extremely bad for Russia, and especially for its dictator Vladimir "Little Man" Putin, whose political future is closely tied to success on the battlefield. It certainly doesn't help that Putin’s war chest—namely the National Wealth Fund used to cover the budget deficit—is inevitably running dry, having shrunk from €110 billion at the start of the war to around €30 billion.

For us bystanders, the situation is undeniably fascinating, as the long-standing trench warfare reminiscent of World War I might shift into a more dynamic and mobile conflict as early as next summer. This could ultimately lead to the collapse of the Russian army—and with it, the fall of Putin from his throne.

Previous thought on the same topic:
Military Support Is Needed to Reinforce EU Sanctions
Russian Soldier in Finland – A Sign of Crumbling Morale?
Renaissance of the Finnish Defense Industry

Green Politician: "I'm Glad We Never Gained Real Political Power"

The Finnish politician Satu Hassi has served as a minister, a Member of the European Parliament, and the chairperson of the Green League. In other words, she has been one of the most prominent politicians of her generation.

Satu Hassi is known for her work in the Green Party, but as a young student, she was a member of the governing body of the Socialist Student League, the student wing of an extreme leftist and pro-Soviet faction within the Finnish Communist Party. In effect, she was involved in what could be considered the most dangerous political movement in independent Finland—one that, if it had come to power, might have led to Finland becoming part of the Soviet Union.

This group, known as the taistolaiset (after a leading figure in the movement), at its peak held 13 seats in the Finnish Parliament, making it a serious political force that enjoyed strong support from Leonid Brezhnev’s Soviet Union. One of the first political statements made by the student movement run by this faction—which included Hassi as a member—was to endorse the 1968 occupation of Czechoslovakia. That stance arguably says more about the movement’s political character than a thousand words ever could.

* * *

Now retired from active politics, Satu Hassi has returned to the public eye and spoken about her thoughts from that time. According to her, “perhaps we had heard too many wartime hero stories from our fathers and wanted to fight our own heroic war—in this case, against imperialism.”

In her interview, she also admits to having drawn “foolish conclusions” after embracing Marxist-Leninist ideology, and she reflects: “I’m glad we never gained real political power. The taistolaiset were only strong in certain cultural organizations.”

She also acknowledged noticing injustices during visits to the Soviet Union, but chose not to speak about them even with fellow ideologues. Instead, she closed her eyes to the things she didn’t want to see.

Hassi’s confession as a former Member of the European Parliament is interesting in many ways. First, admitting one's own mistakes is relatively rare—but in her case, the value of that admission is diminished by the fact that it came only after she had left politics.

Second, Hassi did not distance herself from totalitarian circles after making her observations. Instead, she joined the Green Party as a standard-bearer of its left wing, which eventually displaced the economically liberal politicians who had initially led the party. In other words, she never truly grasped the societal harm caused by the concentration of political power and centrally planned economies, and remained a supporter of a totalitarian societal model until the end of her political career.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Why Finnish Youth Are Abandoning the Green Party
Why Does the Political Green-Left Lie, and Why Does It Resonate with the People?
The Green Movement is Withering – And That’s Not a Bad Thing

Why Did Finland Remain an Independent Democracy After World War II?

During World War II, Finland and the Soviet Union fought two wars. The first of these was the Winter War, which broke out as a result of the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact. In that agreement, the foreign ministers of Joseph Stalin and Adolf Hitler agreed to divide Eastern Europe between the socialist Soviet Union and the National Socialist Germany.

Despite receiving little help from abroad, tiny Finland managed to resist the Soviet Union’s massive army. Although the peace treaty forced Finland to cede territory far west of the prevailing front lines, the Soviet Union did not succeed in conquering its neighbor. This created a strong sense of injustice among the Finnish people.

After the Winter War, Finland sought a defense alliance with the other Nordic countries, but especially Sweden opposed the idea. Eventually, the whole concept became impossible when Germany, through its blitzkrieg strategy, conquered Norway, and the Soviet Union—pursuant to the Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact—occupied the Baltic states. As a result, Finland and Sweden became isolated from the Western powers, France and Britain. Protection against the Soviet Union now had to be sought either from Germany—or vice versa. Finland chose Germany, which at the time was considered militarily superior, even though Finland did not embrace Nazi ideology and remained a democracy throughout World War II.

This led to the so-called Continuation War, whose first military actions in Finland were Soviet strikes against Finnish targets. The reason for this was Hitler’s false claim that Finland had joined Operation Barbarossa, the German invasion of the Soviet Union.

* * *

The events described above are well known in Finland. Less known is the final battle between the Soviet army and Finnish forces. This took place in the Ilomantsi region, where the Soviets launched an attack with two divisions against the Finns.

The Finnish troops were led by Major General Erkki Raappana, who accepted the challenge and launched a bold counterattack based on a double envelopment maneuver. The Finnish forces surrounded both Soviet divisions in separate pockets in the areas of Leppävaara–Lutikkavaara and Vellivaara–Lehmivaara, then broke them down and destroyed them. The battle was fought over a 40-kilometer-wide and approximately 30-kilometer-deep area.

At the same time, three Soviet marine brigades, a tank brigade, and an engineer brigade attempted to come to the aid of the encircled divisions from the east, but they were repelled. Eventually, the encircled Soviet troops saw their situation as hopeless, and the remnants of the divisions broke out eastward—effectively fleeing the battlefield.

As a result of this crushing defeat of the Red Army, the Soviets left behind heavy equipment, including over a hundred artillery pieces and nearly a hundred mortars, which became Finnish war trophies. The battlefield was left in the hands of the victorious Finns. This defeat prompted Stalin to abandon his goal of conquering Finland. He began peace negotiations and redirected his forces to the front against Germany, aiming to reach Berlin before the Western Allies.

Due to this battle, along with the earlier failed Soviet offensives at Tali-Ihantala and the Bay of Vyborg, Finland remained an independent democracy—unlike other European countries with long borders with the Soviet Union: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Belarus, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Romania, and Bulgaria.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Why the Soviet Union Failed to Break Finland—And Why Russia Won’t Succeed Today 
Fear Lurks in Vladimir Putin's Mind as He Celebrates on the Wrong Date
When the War Comes Home to Moscow

Hamas Continues the Suffering of Gaza's Civilians

The terrorist organization Hamas, which governed the Gaza Strip before the current ongoing war, has issued a response to the latest ceasefire proposal for Gaza. Unfortunately, the response was not positive; instead, the organization has demanded additional conditions related to the delivery of aid shipments, the withdrawal of Israeli forces, and security guarantees for a lasting ceasefire.

The most recent ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas have lasted for over two weeks, with no significant breakthroughs. In other words, Hamas still does not appear willing to lay down its arms to relieve the people of Gaza from the suffering caused by the war. 

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
A Night at the Opera. 
Precedent from France Opens EU Pathway for Gaza Palestinians
Activism Without Truth

Ukraine Risks Losing Western Trust by Muzzling Corruption Watchdog

The Ukrainian parliament decided yesterday to approve a law that limits the independence of the country's anti-corruption bureau and the anti-corruption prosecutor's office. The law came into force immediately with the signature of President Zelensky.

In practice, this means that corruption investigations will now fall under the authority of the Prosecutor General – who is appointed by the President – thereby stripping the investigation process of its independence from the country’s top leadership. As a result, it effectively prevents any meaningful investigation into corruption linked to Zelensky and his administration.

The change is reportedly driven by suspicions of collaboration between anti-corruption bodies and Russian operatives. If these allegations are true, the matter is of course extremely serious and cannot be ignored. This is the case even though, from an external perspective, the measures taken by the administration appear questionable.

On the other hand, it is clear that – as one of the most corrupt countries in Europe – Ukraine has no place in the European Union until its deeply rooted “customary” corruption has been thoroughly eradicated. Therefore, this decision may seriously damage the country’s aspirations to become part of the Western community. And if the new law is found to enable corruption within the top leadership, it is highly likely that it would also collapse the EU countries' willingness to continue military support for Ukraine.

For this reason, perhaps the most important domestic political task for Zelensky’s administration is to demonstrate through its future actions that the purpose of the new law was not to shield the country’s elite from corruption investigations, but solely to eliminate the identified security risk linked to Russia. To support this, it is essential that the actions of Ukraine’s top officials are closely and credibly monitored as a condition for continued Western economic and military support.

PS 21:20. It seems that Zelensky has understood the risks brought by the change, or at least is yielding to the pressure from citizens. That’s good, because – as I wrote – the risks were too great. Nevertheless, Ukrainians must figure out how to keep the Russians out of Ukrainian affairs.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Can Trump Resist the Kremlin’s Lure? 
Finnish Winter war showed the way to help Ukraine
Will an attitude lead Ukraine into EU?

A Wake-Up Call from Trump to UNESCO

The United States has once again withdrawn from the UN’s cultural organization UNESCO. The reason cited was the organization’s focus on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, as well as its promotion of socially and culturally divisive issues — and continued focus on them.

According to a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, such a globalist and ideological international development agenda is in conflict with the America First foreign policy pursued by the Trump administration.

According to UNESCO’s own statement, it operates as a global laboratory of ideas in the fields of education, science, culture, and communication, and as a catalyst for international cooperation. It declares its values as follows: "Our #SharingHumanity campaign reminds us of our global values, culture, and knowledge. By strengthening these ties, we build the foundations of peace between people and nations."

It remains to be seen what impact the U.S. withdrawal — similar to what happened during Trump’s first term — will have on the organization’s operations. Most likely, the impact will not be overwhelming, since only about 8 percent of UNESCO’s budget comes from the United States — less than what most UN agencies receive from the U.S.

Nevertheless, it would be beneficial if UNESCO — and its supporters — would also openly examine whether the Trump administration’s claims have any basis in reality. And if such a basis is found, that the organization take steps to address the issue, in order to better and more cost-effectively fulfill its missions in the future than it does at present.

Previous thoughts on the same topic: 
Finland Decides to Withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty — But What Business Is It of Guterres? 
António Guterres, You Won’t Stop Russia – But Mines Might
Iran Rejects Direct Nuclear Talks with U.S., Calls Them Pointless

Organized Vandalism in Helsinki, Finland

An office building located in Helsinki, the capital of Finland, was vandalized with red paint last night. The building houses the Finnish branch of Allianz Trade Suomi, so the incident is most likely connected to organized terrorism targeting that particular company.

This conclusion is supported by a report from Middle East Monitor in January, which stated that the pro-Palestinian group Palestine Action had already carried out similar actions against 15 Allianz offices across Europe.

The act appears to have been carried out by a group called Palestine Action Suomi, which has previously vandalized the historic and valuable Finnish Ministry of Defence building, as well as the premises of Nammo, a company manufacturing defense equipment. In the latter case, the group's justification for its reckless actions was either false or misleading.

One can only hope that the police succeed in identifying and locating those responsible for the vandalism so they can be brought to justice and held accountable for the damage caused, as well as the costs of cleaning up the paint. In this regard, I am fairly confident, as the Finnish police have proven to be highly effective in recent decades.

It is also important that Finnish media outlets prominently report the legal consequences and compensation rulings related to this politically motivated vandalism once the court has issued its decision. Such reporting would help younger generations understand how irrational it is to join organizations like Palestine Action, instead of seeking to influence political issues through legal and democratic means.

Aiempia ajatuksia samasta aihepiiristä:
Activism Without Truth 
Greta Thunberg in Search of a Greater Thrill
The demands of the vandals

A Night at the Opera

At the London opera, one performer decided to stage a protest. It involved bringing a Palestinian flag onto the stage and holding it up for the audience to see.

This demonstration had no impact whatsoever on the situation of Palestinians in their homeland, nor did it bring peace between Jews and Arabs in Palestine. It also did not undo the reasons why the Israeli army — in its search for Hamas terrorists — has extensively destroyed buildings in Gaza.

Instead, the performer in question demonstrated a lack of respect for his employer, the art form he practices, and his audience. Nevertheless, it is quite possible that he found satisfaction in getting his moment in the spotlight — at the opera, in London, in Britain, and in the global media. And even in this blog.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finnish Branch of Extinction Rebellion Faces Possible Ban 
In Finland, the Enemy Is Clear – and Now the Truth Is Emerging for the Palestinians Too
Does Germany’s Ban on Arabic-Language Posters Signal a CDU/CSU-AfD Coalition?

Military Support Is Needed to Reinforce EU Sanctions

The European Union has decided to support Ukraine in its defensive struggle against Vladimir Putin’s Russian imperialism through the following measures: 

1. The use of the Nord Stream gas pipelines will be prohibited.
2. The price cap on Russian oil will be lowered from $60 to approximately $47 per barrel.
3. Sanctions will be imposed on 105 additional vessels linked to Russia’s shadow fleet, which have been used to circumvent existing sanctions.
4. The exclusion of Russian banks from the international SWIFT payment system will be expanded into a full trade embargo.
5. An additional 22 Russian banks will be included in the trade embargo.
6. Trade bans targeting entities in third countries will continue if they are found to be assisting Russia in evading sanctions.
7. The EU proposes sanctions against the Russian Direct Investment Fund, its partners, and its investment targets.
8. The EU is proposing new export bans to Russia worth over €2.5 billion. These bans would target machinery, metals, plastics, and chemicals used in industry.
9. The export of dual-use goods to Russia will be prohibited. This includes items that could also be used for manufacturing weapons.
10. The EU has identified 22 new Russian or international companies that have supported Russia’s war economy.

This package is a good step, and hopefully it will lead to the gradual collapse of Russia’s war economy. However, what is needed right now is also more concrete military assistance for the Ukrainian army, so that the front-line situation turns in favor of the Ukrainians instead of the Russians constantly having the upper hand.

The United States – at least according to President Donald Trump – is already delivering a new military aid package to Ukraine. Therefore, now is also the right time for EU countries to do their part, so that the shift in the balance of power between the warring parties will be as significant as possible.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Ukraine’s Former Foreign Minister Warns Against Another 1939 
Warnings from Jussi Halla-aho and Igor Girkin About Europe's Near Future
Supercell’s Ban: The Sanction That Hit Russians the Hardest

A Sudanese Man Killed His Wife – So What?

A Sudanese man killed his wife in Tampere, Finland. The incident occurred when the man struck the woman in the neck with a knife that had a blade approximately 20 centimeters long while she was lying in bed.

After the crime, the man went to the police to report what had happened, which accelerated both the investigation and the judicial process. It was determined that the man was partially criminally responsible at the time of the murder, and he was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison. In addition, he was ordered to pay €3,750 in compensation to the victim’s relatives for their loss and €1,000 for funeral expenses.

* * *

The convicted individual was one of those whom the Finnish green-left has touted as a savior of Finnish society as the native population ages. However, he is not the only person with such a background who has committed serious crimes.

According to a Wikipedia article referencing official statistics, individuals with African backgrounds in Finland have been reported to commit crimes against life and health at 4.5 times the rate of individuals with Finnish backgrounds. Among these, persons from the same country as the perpetrator mentioned above are statistically overrepresented in such crimes at 10.1 times the rate compared to the native Finnish population. Additionally, individuals of Sudanese origin have been found to be overrepresented in assault offenses, with a 10.9-fold rate compared to those of Finnish background.

Furthermore, violent crime is not the only area where statistical overrepresentation has been observed. For example, robbery offenses committed by individuals of Sudanese origin have been reported at a rate 25.7 times higher per capita than among the native Finnish population.

* * *

It is important to note that these figures are statistical facts but are influenced by multiple social, economic, and integration-related factors. Therefore, they cannot be used to directly categorize different human groups. However, these caveats do not alter the reality that Sudanese immigrants commit serious crimes in Finnish society at a significantly high rate.

One might expect this to spark interest within Finland’s political green-left. However, based on observations so far, it is likely futile to anticipate such a shift, as the belief in the woke culture is so deeply ingrained in their worldview that even statistical data cannot change it. Consequently, they continue to advocate for the continuation and even expansion of humanitarian immigration, justifying it with factors such as Finland’s low birth rate, human rights, and cultural enrichment (Left Alliance,  Greens).

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
EU Citizens Don’t Want More Migrants – But How Can the Flow of Asylum Seekers Be Slowed? 
Warnings from Jussi Halla-aho and Igor Girkin About Europe's Near Future
Can Peace Emerge from Horrific War Crimes?

The Strike Made Finnair the Worst Airline in the World – But the Strike General Doesn’t Care

Finland’s national airline, Finnair, has – at least according to the Germans – become the worst airline in the world. The reason for this is the high number of flight cancellations caused by employee strikes.

I won’t take a stance in this piece on whether the strikes were justified or not, but I would like to draw your attention, dear readers, to what the chairman of the union behind the strikes, Juhani Haapalehto, bluntly stated when asked what he would like to say to the at least one hundred thousand passengers whose travel plans were disrupted by the strikes.

Haapalehto said: “It’s not worth it for me to comment one way or another. It would be misunderstood. After all, air passengers are not our customers – our members are.”

His comment has been met with astonishment in Finland. For example, the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce, Juho Romakkaniemi, wondered how “the union (and apparently its members) seems to have no understanding of who ultimately pays their salaries. It’s sad, all in all.”

Unfortunately, this case reflects a broader trend of Finnish union leaders becoming increasingly detached from the everyday lives of ordinary people and wage earners. Their only apparent goal seems to be preserving their own positions and perks, and – as happens in every election in Finland – funneling union membership fees into the campaign efforts of left-wing parties.

For now, the strikes have ended, but the actual dispute between the unions and Finnair’s management remains unresolved. As a result, the rights of passengers and the future of the airline are likely to hang in the balance once the current agreement expires.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finnair Pilots' Actions Spark Employer Countermove 
Why Can't Finland Find Workforce?
History of Finland XIII: The far-right's rebellion

Precedent from France Opens EU Pathway for Gaza Palestinians

The French National Asylum Court has issued an important precedent-setting decision, stating that a Palestinian from Gaza must be granted asylum. This is based on the court's opinion that the military operations carried out by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip are now sufficiently severe to be considered a form of persecution.

This sets a legal precedent according to which every Palestinian from Gaza — from infants to Hamas terrorists — is entitled to settle in France. And thereafter, under the Schengen Agreement, they would be able to move freely throughout the EU.

It remains to be seen, however, how many Palestinians will take advantage of this newly opened opportunity and seek to move from Gaza to France — and how many will actually succeed in doing so.

From Israel's perspective, the possibility is extremely tempting, because if moving to France becomes popular, it could be a way to empty the Gaza Strip and repurpose it for use by its own population. On the other hand, this very possibility might limit the willingness of Palestinians to leave the area.

Previous thoughts on the same topic: 
When Demands Become Damage 
Gambling Addiction and the Shadowy Instigator
Western Countries Have Neither a Reason Nor a Need to Accept Asylum Seekers from Syria or Gaza

Activism Without Truth

Politically left-wing Palestine activists seem to have an exceptionally poor grasp of facts. The latest example of this came yesterday, when Palestine Action Finland defaced the office of the Norwegian-Finnish ammunition and weapons manufacturer Nammo with red paint, claiming that the company had participated in Israel’s actions in Gaza by supplying weapons and ammunition to its army.

In reality, Nammo has not supplied weapons or ammunition to the Israeli army since it began its operations in Gaza to root out Hamas terrorists. The Nammo products currently in Israel originated from the United States, to which they were sold in 2008. About 15 years later, they made their way from the U.S. to Israel.

This raises the question: what should we think of people who resort to acts of terror without even bothering to check whether their so-called justifications are true? Not to mention that through their actions, these activists effectively showed support for the very terrorist act that started the war.

Likewise, this group of people seems unaware—or fails to grasp the significance—of the fact that Western countries have supported the Palestinians with massive sums of money over the years, much of which has been used to support terrorist activities, such as the construction of an extensive tunnel network in Gaza. For that reason, they cannot be considered blameless in the current suffering of the region’s inhabitants.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
UN Security Council Resolution Draft Risks Encouraging Terrorism
Why Hamas Is Unwilling to Give Up Its Weapons
Palestinians: acknowledging facts is the beginning of wisdom!

Can Europe Learn from Finland´s and Spain’s Contrasting Immigration Policies?

The immigration issue in Finland became a normal political process when the government programme of Petteri Orpo's (NCP) cabinet was agreed upon — or at the latest, when those decisions started being implemented into legislation.

In Spain, by contrast, power is held by a socialist government that pays no attention to the problems of immigration. Instead, it is planning to grant residence and work permits to a large number of migrants who have entered the country illegally. In other words, the government led by Pedro Sánchez has decided to ignore the elephant in the room.

Naturally, this failure to address the problems has led to a backlash. A serious sign of this was seen in the municipality of Torre-Pacheco, where a 68-year-old man was attacked by three North African men.

This prompted frustrated Spaniards to take matters into their own hands and engage in outright illegal actions — namely, physically attacking immigrants. Reportedly, no one has died in these incidents, but five people have been injured.

It remains to be seen what the consequences of this unrest will be, as those who have taken justice into their own hands — described as far-right individuals — are to be arrested and prosecuted. All this is taking place in a municipality where as much as one third of the population has an immigrant background.

* * *

The developments I described above should prompt reflection all across Europe. In particular, it would be worthwhile to compare the immigration policies of Spain and Finland. And to examine what they have led to — and what they are likely to lead to in the coming years.

For my part, I believe — in the spirit of former president Paasikivi — that the recognition of facts is the beginning of wisdom. But how on earth can this simple truth be understood by Sánchez's government? Or by the Finnish green-left?

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
The Left Wants to Grill a Swedish Minister Over His Son’s Past – What’s Really Behind It? 
EU Citizens Don’t Want More Migrants – But How Can the Flow of Asylum Seekers Be Slowed?
EU Commission Should Take Migration and Related Crime Seriously

Climate Warning Signs Were There 130 Years Ago – If Only We Had Noticed

Today, climate change is a scientific dogma—questioning it is no longer seen as acceptable. But this wasn’t always the case. According to a recent American study, the effect of carbon dioxide on the atmosphere’s ability to retain heat wasn’t understood until the mid-19th century.

At the same time, the use of fossil fuels began rapidly increasing atmospheric CO₂ levels, but it would still take a long time before the phenomenon even became a subject of scientific concern—let alone the broad societal issue it is today, influencing a vast range of topics.

The study in question explored when climate change could have been detected if 19th-century scientists had access to today’s climate models and observational networks. To do this, the researchers assumed that by the year 1860, it would have been possible to make precise measurements of atmospheric temperature changes. They then determined when a human-caused climate signal would have become detectable.

According to the report, significant cooling of the middle to upper stratosphere—primarily caused by rising levels of CO₂ from human activity—would have been clearly detectable by around 1885. That’s during the height of European imperialism, and well before the invention of gasoline-powered cars.

These findings could have been made based on the favorable signal-to-noise ratio in the mid- to upper stratosphere, where the human-induced cooling is strong and displays distinct patterns that differ clearly from natural variability.

The researchers noted that atmospheric measurement capabilities in 1860 were far from global; high-quality stratospheric temperature measurements would have only existed for mid-latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Nevertheless, human-caused stratospheric cooling still would have been detectable by 1894—nearly a decade before the Wright brothers’ first flight.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
National Identity in Stone: Finland’s Ancient Crust Meets Canada’s Hadean Record 
Why Did the Cause of Pierce’s Disease in Grapevines Spread to Europe Only in 2013?
Availability of coffee in a warming world

Russian Soldier in Finland – A Sign of Crumbling Morale?

A former fighter who served with the Russian-aligned Wagner Group in Ukraine has appeared in Finland as an asylum seeker. He has previously participated in Russian war propaganda but has recently harshly criticized Russia for its treatment of its own soldiers and for lying to their families.

The man could, of course, be a genuine asylum seeker—or alternatively, a Russian agent. This is a matter Finnish authorities will undoubtedly investigate. At this stage, however, the most interesting aspect is what he has revealed about Putin's army.

The soldier, who has now arrived in Finland, published a video last February in which he denounced the Russian military leadership and accused it of mistreating Russian soldiers. He also threatened to track down those responsible.

In June, the man released another video in which he accused Russian commanders of being traitors who "leave soldiers to rot in the fields." At the time of this video’s release, he was already in Finland. On the other hand, he has continued publishing Wagner propaganda until quite recently.

In Finland, any possible involvement by the Russian soldier in war crimes will be investigated, and if necessary, he will be prosecuted. For that, the judiciary will need information about his actions in Ukraine, so cooperation with the local authorities there is essential.

At the same time, it is clear that he will not be extradited to the warring Ukrainians for prosecution; rather, he will be investigated specifically in Finland. For now, however, he is not suspected of committing war crimes.

It remains to be seen what will happen to the Russian soldier next, but his appearance in Finland may signal a decline in the fighting morale of Russian troops. And that would not be to the benefit of Vladimir Putin or his administration, but – in contrast – good news for the Ukrainian army.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Suicide and Sudden Death in Russia – What's Really Going On? 
Russians in Finland Include Both Putin’s Supporters and Loyal Citizens
Russian Aircraft Violated Finnish Airspace – But What’s the Point?

The Left Wants to Grill a Swedish Minister Over His Son’s Past – What’s Really Behind It?

Swedish society is famously in disarray as a result of its immigration policies. Sweden has climbed to the top of the Western world in areas such as sexual crimes, shootings, and explosions. As a result, the Swedish police have warned their Finnish colleagues to prevent a similar development in Finland.

In this context, it was interesting to note the recent controversy in Sweden involving the Minister for Migration. It emerged that the minister's son has participated in activities of the far-right martial arts group "Active Club" and has also had connections with other far-right groups. Consequently, the political left in the country has demanded the minister’s resignation.

The minister himself has stated that he has no intention of resigning and that his son is no longer involved with far-right circles. However, the minister had previously emphasized the responsibility of parents for criminal and violent youth—something that appears to be unforgivable in the eyes of the political left, as it can easily be interpreted as criticism of the parents of violent immigrant youths.

As the Swedish parliament's summer session ends, the entire political left in Sweden is seeking to summon the minister for a hearing on the matter. This seems to be an attempt to gain public visibility and local support among the immigrant-origin population.

The latter motive would be logical, as although immigrants from developing countries have traditionally voted for left-wing parties, an increasing number of them have turned to support the party Nyans—that is, an Islamic party that now threatens the left’s dominant position among so-called "new Swedes".

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
EU Commission Should Take Migration and Related Crime Seriously 
Police to Finnish Graduates: Leave Fireworks, Blades, and Booze at Home
Why Integration Policy Must Confront Cultural Conflicts

Estonians Have Learned from Their History — and Defend Accordingly

One of the countries that regained its independence following the collapse of the Soviet Union was Estonia—the northernmost and smallest of the Baltic states. It has a population of just under 1.5 million people, of whom 68.5 percent are ethnic Estonians, 21 percent Russians, 5.4 percent Ukrainians, and the rest people of other ethnic backgrounds.

This nation has built a prosperous state, where GDP per capita has risen from $2,685.90 in 1993 to an impressive $31,170. In other words, it has grown more than elevenfold—or by 1,160 percent.

Estonia was independent from 1918 until 1940, when the Soviet Union occupied it along with the other Baltic states, based on the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact it had signed with Nazi Germany. Incidentally, Stalin also issued ultimatums to Finland on similar grounds and eventually launched a full-scale military invasion. However, the Finns did not yield and managed to preserve their independence.

Having learned from all this, Estonians have taken national defense seriously since regaining independence. As a sign of this commitment, Estonia joined NATO as quickly as possible, and the country’s defense minister, Hanno Pevkur, has stated that Estonia allocates five percent of its gross domestic product to actual military spending.

Unlike in many other countries, high defense spending enjoys broad public support in Estonia. Among Estonian speakers, 41 percent believe defense spending should be increased to five percent of GDP, and 34 percent support a defense budget of 3.5 percent. Even among Russian speakers, 17 percent favor 3.5 percent, and five percent support increasing it to five percent.

This strong public backing allows Estonia’s defense forces to develop their capabilities further. In practice, this has included the acquisition of HIMARS air defense systems and long-range missiles capable of striking deep into Russian territory. The rationale behind the latter is the principle that if Russia attacks Estonia, the war must be taken immediately to Russian soil.

I believe that Estonia’s perspective is worth listening to not only in neighboring countries that share a border with Russia but also in Central Europe—and even along the Atlantic coast.

This is because people in those countries can only remain secure if the whole of Europe sends a clear signal that Russia has no chance of success—neither in the borderlands nor further west—thanks to overwhelming support available to frontline countries like the Baltics, should it ever be necessary.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Did Russia Realize the Risk Was Too Great?
Did a Finnish Fighter Jet Rush to Intercept a Russian Sukhoi Yesterday?
Shifting U.S. Foreign Policy Sparks Concerns in Estonia

Renaissance of the Finnish Defense Industry

Now that Finland has withdrawn from the Ottawa Treaty banning anti-personnel landmines, it is time to take practical action. This means starting Finnish production of anti-personnel mines for both domestic use and for Ukraine.

The reason for this is, of course, the military threat posed by Russia—something that can no longer be ignored since Putin’s “special operation” initiated the attempt to conquer Ukraine. This is true even though the Russians have been unable to bring the operation to completion; instead, it has become more like a Moloch’s maw, fed with the lives of Russian soldiers.

The Finnish arms industry is currently doing quite well in general. A sign of this was, for example, the clear growth in both turnover and operating profit for the defense equipment manufacturer Patria in the January–June period.

Turnover increased by around 12 percent and operating profit by as much as 35 percent. In addition, the company’s order backlog showed a modest increase. In the future, most of the growth is expected to come from the armored vehicle sector, but the company has also recently invested—based on lessons from the war in Ukraine—particularly in drone technology.

It remains to be seen whether the Finnish defense industry is experiencing a renaissance now that the country is a member of the Western defense alliance NATO and has the best preparedness in Europe to take advantage of a networked economy—something that will be a key factor in high-innovation sectors like defense in the coming years.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Finland Decides to Withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty — But What Business Is It of Guterres?
The Poor Can't Afford to Buy Second-best
Finland Boosts Military Self-Sufficiency and Support for Ukraine

Suicide and Sudden Death in Russia – What's Really Going On?

A strange epidemic seems to be spreading within Russia’s Ministry of Transport. First, it was reported that Transport Minister Roman Starovoit, who had been dismissed from his post, had committed suicide. Soon after, it was announced that another official from the same ministry, Aleksei Korneichuk, had died suddenly in the middle of a meeting.

This raises the question of whether there is something behind these events that the Putin administration does not want to reveal. And if there is, could it be related in some way to the prolonged war in Ukraine, which continues to strain Russia’s economy and population?

Unfortunately, it is highly unlikely that we will ever get an answer to this question. However, that does not mean these cases don’t strongly point to the growing troubles faced by Putin’s administration.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
The Price of a Dictator’s Stupidity and Megalomania
Putin Faces a Heavy Price for His Hesitation
Number of Predators is Increasing in Russia

Instability Returns to the Balkans

I begin this blog post with a look back 111 years. At that time, on June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife Sophie were assassinated in Sarajevo, Bosnia, which was then part of Austria-Hungary.

The reason behind the assassination was that the Bosnian Serbs wanted to join Serbia and pursued this aim through political murder. As a result, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on July 28, 1914.

Serbia soon gained Russia as an ally, while Austria-Hungary was supported by Germany. In an effort to avoid a two-front war, Germany attacked France through Belgium. This, in turn, led to Britain entering the conflict — and thus the First World War began. Around 16 million people lost their lives in that war.

* * *

In his recent column, retired Major General Harri Ohra-aho warned Finns about the smoldering powder keg of the Balkans. According to him, Bosnia and Herzegovina is teetering on the brink of a deep crisis, with the actions of the President of Republika Srpska, Milorad Dodik — the leader of the federation’s Serbian entity — at the core of the issue, as he pushes for Serbian independence.

Under Dodik’s leadership, Republika Srpska has passed laws that prevent federal authorities from operating within its territory. In addition, his administration has demanded a separate constitution for the Serbs — a step toward splitting Bosnia and Herzegovina into two separate states.

Behind this lies the strong support of Serbia itself and, lurking behind Serbia, that of Russia. Unfortunately, Hungary — an EU member state — and its president Viktor Orbán have also joined in, sending special forces to conduct joint exercises with the Serbs. In other words, this is part of Vladimir Putin’s broader strategy to shift Western Europe’s attention from Ukraine to the Balkans.

For now, however, the situation remains calm, and most Bosniaks, Croats, and Serbs hope for stability and envision their future in the EU. Even within Republika Srpska, Dodik does not enjoy unanimous support. But as we well know, people’s opinions can be easily influenced by the right kind of propaganda.

* * *

For us Finns, the matter is significant in several ways. First, every military-political victory for Putin increases the risk that Russia might test the military readiness of a NATO border country through a suitably crafted special operation. Perhaps not on Finland’s border specifically, but quite possibly somewhere in our neighborhood.

Second, Bosnia and Herzegovina has served as one of the routes for humanitarian migration, and if it falls into chaos, it could lead to an increase in the number of people arriving in the EU. This, in turn, could further destabilize the internal situation in the EU countries most affected by such flows — such as Germany, France, the Netherlands, or Sweden.

For these reasons, Ohra-aho ended his column with the following hope: "Europe must therefore act wisely but decisively. Words must be followed by actions: more support for constructive forces in Bosnia, a clear message against separatism, and concrete steps toward NATO and EU integration. Stability does not arise by itself, and in the Balkans its value is often only recognized once it has already been lost."

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Russians in Finland Include Both Putin’s Supporters and Loyal Citizens
Ukraine’s Justified Exit From the Ottawa Convention
NATO Sounds the Alarm on Illegal Immigration

When Demands Become Damage

Yesterday I wrote that the demands of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in particular might prevent peace from being achieved in Gaza. However, according to recent news, it may in fact be Hamas’s far more limited demands that are already doing so.

At the same time, Israel has continued its military operations in the area, causing immense suffering to Palestinian civilians. This raises the question: whose interests are the aforementioned Palestinian organizations actually serving? Their own—or those of ordinary civilians in Gaza?

The answer is not difficult to find, provided one is able to put the facts in order. The first fact is that neither Hamas nor any other Palestinian organization is capable of challenging the Israeli military. The second is that, for this reason, their attempts to present demands to Israel are unequivocally harmful from the perspective of Palestinian civilians.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Will Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Demand Block Peace in Gaza?
UN Security Council Resolution Draft Risks Encouraging Terrorism
How Hamas Exploited Aid and Lost the Support of Many Palestinians

Will Palestinian Islamic Jihad’s Demand Block Peace in Gaza?

The terrorist organization Hamas is ready to begin negotiations on implementing a proposed 60-day ceasefire. It accepts the main points of the agreement but seeks some minor additions to the deal.

The Palestinian Islamic Jihad organization has also announced its support for the ceasefire plan in Gaza but demands guarantees that the negotiation process will indeed lead to a permanent ceasefire. At the same time, it wants to ensure that Israel will not resume military operations in Gaza after the hostages held by Hamas have been released.

The Israeli leadership, which has accepted the original text of the ceasefire proposal drafted by Qatar and the United States, is currently considering how to respond to the terrorists’ suggestions. U.S. President Donald Trump, for his part, has previously told the Palestinian organizations that they will not be getting a better deal.

It thus remains to be seen whether Gaza's exceptionally bloody war is finally coming to an end, or whether it will continue after the currently debated two-month truce concludes. However, the Islamic Jihad’s precondition for a permanent ceasefire may in itself prevent the ceasefire from materializing at all, as Israel is unlikely to commit to permanently halting its military actions in Gaza before terms for lasting peace have been agreed upon.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Some University of Helsinki Employees Demand End to Collaboration With Israeli Universities
UN Security Council Resolution Draft Risks Encouraging Terrorism
Gambling Addiction and the Shadowy Instigator

The Finnish Stabber Has a Long Track Record of Violence

I wrote yesterday about the mass stabbing that took place in Tampere, in which a Finnish man injured four people. Over the course of today, more information about the case has come to light, prompting reflection on the fairness of the Finnish justice system.

The Finnish Broadcasting Company (Yle) has reported that the man arrested for the crime has previously been convicted of multiple violent offenses. He was charged with attempted manslaughter for an incident in June 2023, in which he stabbed a sleeping acquaintance in the stomach.

However, in January 2024, he was only convicted of aggravated assault, assault against another man, illegal threats, two cases of property damage, and obstruction of an official. According to the verdict, he was supposed to serve a total of two and a half years in prison.

Last month, the stabber also received another six-month prison sentence for assaulting a victim in the fall of 2021. In that case, he had repeatedly struck the victim in the head, strangled them, and beaten them in the upper body with a metal pipe. At the time, he was on probation. He was sentenced to only six months in prison, as his previous conviction for aggravated assault was considered a mitigating factor.

In addition, the man was sentenced to three years in prison for three robberies committed in 2020, when he was 18 years old.

In light of all this, we must ask how the justice system intends to respond to the man's actions from yesterday when the case eventually goes to court. Will he again be granted sentence reductions and be allowed to endanger others’ safety after serving only a short prison term?

Or will the court finally recognize that this is a person who, with near certainty, will sooner or later end up killing one of his victims, and who therefore must be kept behind closed doors for the rest of his life? And if it doesn’t, is it prepared to take responsibility for the death of an innocent person?

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Multiple Stabbings Reported in Tampere, Finland
The Stabber Killed Three People in an Extremely Multicultural City
Why Were Violent Protests Acceptable for George Floyd but Not for the UK Child Murders?

Multiple Stabbings Reported in Tampere, Finland

According to the police, several people have been stabbed near a shopping center located in the city of Tampere, Finland. The victims are receiving first aid, and one person has been taken into custody following the incident.

So far, no motive for the stabbing has been reported, but the police are investigating the matter in any case. It remains to be seen whether this was, for example, a clash between gangs or a terrorist act targeting bystanders. At this stage, even mental illness as a motive cannot be ruled out.

PS 17.45. The police have cordoned off the area and are currently questioning eyewitnesses.

PS 19:54. According to the police's current information, there is no reason to suspect that the act had a terrorist or racist motive. The stabbing has not resulted in any fatalities, but four people have been injured. The police have not released a description of the stabber.

PS 4.7. 8:07. The suspected perpetrator is an adult Finnish man. As a result of the act of violence, four people were injured. All the victims are adults. No fatalities occurred, and according to current information, none of the victims are in life-threatening condition.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Will Tomorrow’s Elections in Germany Be a Turning Point? 
Gun Violence in Brussels After Swedish Massacre
The stabbing of the 12-year-old led to political revelry among the left in Finland

Russians in Finland Include Both Putin’s Supporters and Loyal Citizens

The European Parliament has affirmed the self-evident truth that Finland has the right to close its eastern border with Russia. This occurred because a representative of the pro-Russian Freedom Alliance party living in Finland—and, judging by the name, a Russian national—Alexey Bulavtsev, had appealed for the borders to remain open.

Naturally, this was an unnecessary bureaucratic twist, since Finland would have kept the border closed in any case—regardless of the EU Parliament’s decision. This is because it is the country’s legitimate right to defend itself against a military threat.

Nevertheless, the case is significant, as it demonstrates that there are individuals of Russian background in Finland who aspire to positions of power in society and who act on behalf of Vladimir Putin against the Finnish people. This is, of course, not beneficial for Finnish-Russians, many of whom are descendants of émigrés who fled to Finland during the Russian Revolution, or individuals who have escaped the current Russian regime and are well integrated into Finnish society.

Therefore, it is to be hoped that Bulavtsev’s actions will not be generalized to all people of Russian descent living in Finland, but that they too will be evaluated as individuals and as members of society. At the same time, care must be taken to ensure that Russian immigration does not, now or in the future, form a fifth column in Finland, should Russia, for any reason, challenge the country’s independence.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Expert Statement Highlights Russian Hybrid Threat Over Migration Across the Mediterranean
Human Rights Judge Pauliine Koskelo Questions Asylum Interpretation That Ignores the Threat of Hybrid Warfare
A Finnish MP Resigned After Straining Finland-Russia Relations