Conservative US lobbyists try to get their hooks into the Czech Republic
Betsy DeVos and Donald Trump with students, March 2017. Source: wikimedia commonsA robust conservative organization close to Donald Trump is nurturing ties with Czech counterparts who try to lobby politicians and advance anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ+ agenda in the Central European country.
How Estonia’s Military Intelligence Secretly Helped Ukraine
Source: Kiur Kaasik / Delfi EstoniaIf the war were to stop today, it would take Russia between three to five years to restore its military might and capabilities to the level they would need to strike the next neighboring country, says colonel Margo Grosberg, outgoing chief of Estonia’s military intelligence in a rare interview, published in English on VSquare.
Companies linked to Hungarian anti-immigration governing party profit from the recruitment of migrant workers
Recruiters taking advantage of a recent legislation include a business partner of MEP Tamás Deutsch’s brother and the vice-president of the publicly funded cultural organization.
Imam, Soldier, Diplomat, Interpreter: Meet the Hungarian NewsFront’s Propagandists
Source: VSquareHungarian NewsFront is active again, but has been unable to achieve great reach. There might be no need, as Hungarian state propaganda willingly serves as a mouthpiece for the Kremlin.
NOTES FROM THE REGION
Vicious attacks force journalists to self-censor across the eastern part of the EU

Journalism is under attack worldwide. The trend, worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic and the anger surrounding it, has been amplified by politicians inciting hate against those who criticize them.
No clean air in sight: Europe’s worst-affected cities

With the EU voting on new air quality rules, satellite data shows 98% of people face pollution above limits recommended by the World Health Organization.
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