Cuba’s Crisis and the Lessons of Socialism

In many European countries, relatively little has been reported about events in Cuba, the longest-lasting and strongest communist stronghold in the Western Hemisphere. Therefore, it was interesting that yesterday or today many Finnish media outlets published a news report stating that “a group of protesters vandalized the regional office of the ruling Communist Party during the night leading into Saturday.”

Video footage of the incident could also be found, confirming the statement that “a group broke into the party office, carried furniture out onto the street, and set it on fire.” The police had also fired shots at the scene.

Following the events described above, Cuba’s current dictator, Miguel Díaz-Canel, has announced his willingness to discuss the future of his country with the United States. His counterpart will likely be Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who, as a Cuban émigré, probably has very little sympathy for the difficulties of the country’s communist government.

It therefore remains to be seen whether the situation has finally been reached in which Cuba frees itself from the yoke of communism and its people regain their freedom and the opportunity to raise their miserable standard of living. This would of course be a fine thing, but as the collapse of the European socialist states in the 1990s showed, the outcome could be either success or failure, as illustrated by the figure below showing the economic development of Poland and Moldova.

It remains to be seen, then, what Cuba’s future will look like—and how it will affect the lives and prospects of ordinary Cubans.

Of course, at a time when support for the political green-left is still strong among many European citizens, it would be desirable if the difficulties of Cuban socialism and its possible collapse would also increase understanding of the harmfulness of socialism. Or will there still be a large share of European voters who believe that applying Marx’s ideas leads to something good?

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Venezuela, Antonio Guterres and the Nature of Great Powers
Pedro Sánchez Sides with Europe's Fifth Column on Russia
Marx in the Classroom: How Ideological Education Shaped Careers and Values

The original blogpost in Finnish: 
Onko Kuuban kommunistihallinto kaatumassa?

Iran Exposes the Finnish Green-Left as Intellectually Dishonest or Lacking Values

A young Finnish conservative politician, Binga Tupamäki (National Coalition Party), recently expressed her astonishment on social media, asking: “Why is the Finnish left defending an Islamist state that, in the name of jihad, is seeking to develop nuclear weapons?” It’s a valid question—so let us take a look at the values of the Finnish left.

According to the Left Alliance's party platform, the party's "core values are freedom, solidarity, and equality." The Social Democratic Party of Finland lists the same values, albeit in a slightly different order: "Our core values are freedom, equality, and solidarity."

Each reader can decide for themselves how well those words describe the actions of Iran’s Islamist government—or how those principles could possibly lead to the conclusion that such a regime is in any way worth defending by members or supporters of these parties.

And what about Finland’s value-liberal Greens? They don’t have a concise list quite like the Left Alliance, but their platform includes the following description: “We work to stop climate change and the sixth wave of extinction... we fight for an equal, safe, and just future. We defend nature and people.”

Nothing in that list seems even remotely compatible with the defense of Iran’s Islamist regime. On the contrary, based on these statements, one would expect the Greens to be pleased that someone—anyone—is actively trying to stop Iran’s mullahs from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Altogether, it appears that when comparing their stated values with their actual behavior, many Finnish green-leftists are not living up to their principles. In other words, they are either intellectually dishonest or, in practice, lack values. Perhaps even both.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Why Does the Political Green-Left Lie, and Why Does It Resonate with the People?

Hezbollah Uses Human Shields While the Green-Left Looks Away
The European Parliament elections were a celebration for the far-left in Finland

Will Power Change Hands in Iran?

After Israel attacked Iran few days ago, it didn't take long before Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announced his willingness to discuss the nuclear deal aimed at preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. The reason for this is most likely the Jewish state's military superiority compared to Khamenei’s forces.

So far, Western countries have not, at least publicly, responded to the Iranians' announcement, instead choosing to watch from the sidelines as an uneven struggle unfolds, in which Israel demonstrates that it is militarily and technologically vastly more capable than Iran. This is the case even though Iran has managed to launch some missiles into Israel.

For the world at large—and especially for the Iranian people—it would likely be best if Iran’s Islamist regime were to collapse as a result of the war and be replaced by a religiously neutral government that would free its citizens from the religious terrorism imposed by the current regime. However, this would require a sufficiently strong force to emerge from within Iran, one capable of channeling public dissatisfaction into a revolution.

Another possibility for regime change could be the use of force by Israel or Western nations. However, I strongly doubt that anyone has the will to undertake such an operation, even though, for example, many Iranian refugees in Finland (an example and another) would undoubtedly wish for it.

It remains to be seen what consequences this ongoing and likely very short-lived war will have for the Iranian regime. Will it manage to maintain its position even in defeat, or will the Iranian people finally gain their freedom?

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
A Quick Israeli Success in Iran Would Be Crucial for Ukraine
Iran Rejects Direct Nuclear Talks with U.S., Calls Them Pointless
Israel’s Strike on Iran: Ripple Effects for the Middle East, Russia, and Global Stability

Should the Dutch Do Something About the Fact That Immigrants Don't Tolerate Visiting Jews?

One of the greatest public secrets of our time is that not all people and cultures are the same. We received a tangible example of this yesterday, when groups carrying Palestinian flags attacked Jewish supporters of the visiting team after a football match in the Netherlands, causing significant harm. Even non-Jewish tourists found themselves in difficult situations.

Naturally, Dutch police intervened and detained at least 60 rioters, and ultimately the Israeli government planned to send planes to bring Israeli football fans home from the Netherlands. The question, of course, is how such incidents are possible in a country that, just a few decades ago, was known for its exceptional freedom and liberal values.

I’m confident that my esteemed readers understand the answer to this question even without my explanation. However, I’m less certain whether this understanding extends to the decision-makers in politics. And whether they’ll reach the consensus that similar incidents will recur if immigration policies in the EU are not significantly altered.

So, we’ll see whether, in this case as well, the event will be lamented for a while, the attackers of Jewish people will receive minor punishments, but the real issue will be left unaddressed. Or will the Dutch government show the resolve that voters expected from it in the 2023 elections? And take actions that would halt the growth of problematic immigrant groups in the Netherlands, in the EU, and thus also in Finland.

That is at least what Geert Wilders demands, as he wrote on social media, "A pogrom in the streets of #Amsterdam. We have become the Gaza of Europe. Muslims with Palestinian flags hunting down Jews. I will NOT accept that. NEVER. The authorities will be held accountable for their failure to protect the Israeli citizens."

Never again.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Palestinian Youth Require More Understanding, Less Aggression
A woman's logic, Putin's test, and the Netherlands' change
The Rwanda Law of Britain paves the way for the future of Western Europe

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

History of Finland IV: The bleakest time in Finnish history

This is the fourth part of a blog series where I delve into the significant phases of Finnish history. In the previous post, I discussed the rebellion of the peasants who feared becoming serfs but ultimately lost their battle, resulting in the permanent weakening of their previously strong position in relation to the nobility.

Following the Cudgel War, Charles, Duke of Södermanland, ascended to power in Sweden after defeating King Sigismund in the Battle of Stångebro. As King Charles IX, he successfully curbed the nobility's thirst for power during his reign. However, after his sudden demise in 1611, the situation underwent a transformation.

This presented an opportunity for the high nobility to place the underage Gustaf Adolph on the throne, whose decisions were heavily influenced by the dominance of the nobility itself, the ruling Council of State, and the Estates General, all of which were effectively controlled by the high nobility. Consequently, the king found himself compelled to advocate for the privileges of the nobility, resulting in his position being somewhat like the first of his peers. As a result, the king also had an interest in promoting the interests of the high nobility.

As a result of this development, approximately 63 percent of the kingdom's land came under the ownership of the nobility. Consequently, the position of ordinary peasants and even lower nobility further deteriorated. However, they still served a purpose as representatives in the Estates General, which was established to endorse the privileges of the high nobility.

Soon, the nobility acquired exclusive rights to the highest positions, which were rapidly created. Consequently, power, legal authority, and wealth in the country shifted into the hands of the upper echelons of nobility, while the significance of local parish meetings, which were closer to the people, diminished.

Nevertheless, the peasants in the northern regions were spared from serfdom due to the sparse population. Unlike the southern European cities that attracted the surrounding rural population, the small settlements in the north lacked the same appeal, eliminating the need to bind peasants to the land.

Consequently, the Finnish and Swedish peasants were formally allowed to maintain their free status. However, the decrease in the number of farms and cultivated areas between 1570 and 1660, instead of growth, clearly indicates their actual distress. Moreover, the common people bore the burden of conscription by the great power, directed by the nobles towards difficult people in their own fiefdoms and neighboring estates, seeking to redeem them for their own control when their own men became depleted.

Simultaneously, the common people endured an unprecedentedly stringent discipline, resulting in various side effects such as witch hunts in the wealthiest peasant regions, religious revivalist movements, and devastating famines that claimed the lives of at least a quarter, if not a third, of Finland's population. The destructiveness of these famines was not only caused by the well-known Little Ice Age but also by rural poverty, which eroded people's ability to withstand years of poor harvests.

Furthermore, even during the worst famine years, Finland, under the rule of the nobility, saw the exportation of grain instead of utilizing it to feed the starving population. Meanwhile, cities on the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea decayed due to the mercantilist ideology centered around a Stockholm-dominated trade system.

The position of the peasants was further weakened not only by the Swedish conscription that transformed Finland into a massive military camp but also by the constant need for funds to sustain a military perpetually engaged in warfare. This necessity stemmed from the fact that approximately half of the state's income was allocated to military endeavors. The nobility benefited from these wars, as they provided various advantages to the military class, from advancing their own careers to amassing land.

Overall, the era of the aristocracy represented the darkest period in Finnish history for the common people. However, it also sowed the seeds of its own destruction, as the nobility's insatiable thirst for power and wealth, coupled with their incessant warfare, gradually weakened the entire kingdom and ultimately left it vulnerable and defenseless in the face of external threats.

The original blog post in Finnish: Suomen historian kurjin aika

All the blog posts in this series:
History of Finland I: How did Finland become culturally part of the West?
History of Finland II: From a hinterland of the Union into a modern state
History of Finland III: The legal and economic weakening of the position of the people
History of Finland IV: The bleakest time in Finnish history
History of Finland V: The pursuit of economic profit saved the country
History of Finland VI: Age of freedom and utility
History of Finland VII: The dictator of the era of Enlightenment promoted capitalist economy
History of Finland VIII: Joining of Finland to Russia led to an increase in crime
History of Finland IX: Enlightended dictator initiated economic growth
History of Finland X: The birth of Finnish identity
History of Finland XI: Finnish democracy and gender equality for women
History of Finland XII: Bloody civil war
History of Finland XIII: The far-right's rebellion
History of Finland XIV: The end of the first Finnish Republic
History of Finland XV: Paasikivi-Kekkonen doctrine
History of Finland XVI: Through rise and fall to a new kind of future

A gift from the free world to Ukraine

Germany finally allowed Leopard battle tanks to be given to Ukraine. And even promised to send them itself. 

This all is excellent and shows that the free world is ready to defend itself against brutality and tyranny represented by Vladimir Putin´s army in Ukraine. And I am happy that my home country, Finland, will participate in this movement by adding some Leopards into the common effort.

As normal, our tanks are in a great shape and may be provided as soon as they will have a trained crew. Unfortunately, the number of these armored gifts is restricted due to our position as a neighbor of Russia and yet unaccepted application to join NATO - in this situation we simply cannot risk our own defensive ability.  

Anyway, I am sure that this day will be remembered as one of the most important turning points in the process of getting invaders out of Ukraine. And my only advice to the Zelenskiy´s army is: please, use the Leopards efficiently, and push you enemies to there, where they belong! 

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Is the moral of Russians collapsing
Military advice: Ukraine needs modern tanks
Good news from Ukraine

Ayatollahs in Iran demonstrated their ridiculousness

Freedom of speech is a serious matter in France. This was demonstrated e.g. eight years ago after the terrorist attack to Charlie Hebdo magazine, when the French didn't even listen to the Muslims' instructions to close the magazine.

Now the same magazine has published excellent caricatures of Iran's religious leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The reason for the pictures was the violent treatment and even killing of women - and many men - asking for human rights in the Islamic theocracy. According to the Norwegian-based Iran Human Rights organization, almost 500 protesters have been killed.

Stung by the publication of the satirical pictures, the fanatic Iranian leadership decided to close a French research institute. The reaction was not completely unexpected, but it is very enlightening. This is because it confirmed the inability of Islamic fundamentalists to understand the freedom of speech in Western countries.

It is clear that France will not listen to Ayatollahs stupid demands. As a legacy of the Great Revolution, the country is exceptionally strongly stuck to the freedom of speech. So the ayatollahs only made themselves and their ideas ridiculous - although their own existence is a deadly serious matter for Iranians who yearn for their freedom.

So serious, that the collapse of their regime would be a great gift to the whole world. And not least to all sensible Iranians.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
Independence day of Finland now and 83 years ago
Sweden already in trouble - Finland following
Riots in Sweden: what next?

Independence day of Finland now and 83 years ago

Finland became independent in December 6th, 1917. Or in other words: 105 years ago. 

This independence of my country was challenged by dictator Josif Stalin of the Soviet Union in 1939 by a massive attack against its small neighbor. The Red Army reached the Finns' main defense line on the Isthmus of Karelia by 6th of December - the 22nd Independence Day of Finland. A Soviet division attacked over the Taipaleenjoki-river and by evening the Russian battalion had crossed Taipaleenjoki.

On the isthmus, the last part of the protective force (aiming to slow down the enemy´s attack) in front of the main station had retreated to Kiviniemi, north side of the main river in the area, Vuoksi. The battles ended for the night.

The battle of Taipaleenjoki was going to result in more than 10 000 dead Soviet soldiers and 2 250 dead and wounded soldiers of Finland before the war ended in Spring 1940. But that was not yet known during the Independence Day.

The Russians advanced also towards Suomussalmi in northern front. Finns quickly decided to clear the village and burn the buildings down. The situation in Suomussalmi was quickly developing into a threatening one. The headquarters formed a military group named a group under the lead of colonel Talvela to secure the southern direction of Tolvajärvi-Ägläjärvi.

The battles in Suomussalmi were going to result in a loss of more than 11 000 Russian soldiers as dead or wounded by the end of the war. In addition, a bit less than 1 000 Finnish soldiers were lost. But this was not known during the 22nd Independence day of Finland.

Foreign Minister Väinö Tanner organized an Independence Day reception for the diplomatic corps in the banquet suite of Hotel Kämppi. The traditional reception at the Presidential Palace was not organized.

Eighty notable Swedish public figures presented a petition in favor of helping Finland. No military help was, however, obtained from the Government of Germany nor from those of the Western powers UK, France and USA before the war ended. 

With these memories I remind my international readers about the value of independence for free people! And wish Ukrainians faith and strength in their defense against the aggression caused by the successor of the same persecutor we had to face 83 years ago in Finland. Especially I want to thank western countries and my own Government for their military help to Ukrainian people.

In addition, I hope that brave women of Iran would get back their freedom taken by religious fanatics of the country after the Islamic revolution in 1979. And hope, that they would receive all support needed from the rest of the world to make that dream come true.

Previous thoughts on the same topic:
The Finnish army is respected by Russians
It takes heroes to avoid genocide
Why a journalist was unaware on the number of Stalin´s victims?