In a world filled with tanks and troops, Iceland stands out for its complete lack of a standing military. This North Atlantic nation – a founding member of NATO – has no army, navy, or air force of its own. How does a country thrive without soldiers? The answer lies in Iceland’s unique history, strategic decisions, and a culture that prizes peace. From its early independence choices to modern-day defense agreements, Iceland has charted a peaceful path that trades battalions for alliances and coast guards.

As Russia intensifies its hybrid pressure on Europe, Estonia and Latvia—two of NATO’s smallest members—find themselves once again on the front line of history. Decades after regaining independence from Soviet rule, both nations are confronting a new wave of influence from Moscow, targeting their sizable Russian-speaking populations through propaganda, cyberattacks, and political manipulation. In response, Tallinn and Riga are tightening language laws, curbing Kremlin-linked organizations, and reinforcing social unity as a matter of national survival. For Estonians and Latvians abroad, especially in North America, these developments are more than headlines—they’re reminders of why their parents fled, and why safeguarding their homelands remains a shared mission across oceans.

When most of Europe’s thrones fell to revolution, the crowns of the North quietly endured. While the monarchies of France, Germany, and Russia crumbled, Denmark, Sweden, and Norway redefined royalty itself—transforming kings from rulers into national symbols. Their Nordic neighbors took different paths: Finland’s brief monarchy faded before it began, Iceland voted its king away, and the Baltic states built republics from scratch.

On an autumn evening in October 2000, a sleek modern building at 58 Park Avenue in Manhattan buzzed with celebration. Heads of state and royalty from Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden gathered alongside New York dignitaries for the inauguration of Scandinavia House: The Nordic Center in America.

In the heart of Estonia’s capital stands Hotel Viru, a Brutalist high-rise that once embodied a peculiar duality of the Cold War era. Opened in 1972 as Tallinn’s first “skyscraper,” the Viru was a bold Soviet attempt to showcase modernity and welcome foreign visitors – all while serving as a clandestine nest of KGB surveillance. During the Soviet decades, virtually every foreign tourist in Estonia laid their head in this 23-story hotel, oblivious to the fact that even the ashtrays might be listening.

Demi Lovato’s power ballad “Skyscraper” became an international anthem of resilience in 2011 – a song that millions of fans found strength in during dark times. Yet, few realize that behind this American hit stands an Estonian creative force: singer-songwriter Kerli Kõiv.

In September 2019, viewers of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon were treated to an unlikely musical mashup. Puerto Rican rap star Residente brought fellow Boricua artist Bad Bunny on stage to debut their new reggaeton single “Bellacoso” – but the performance opened with the lilting melody of “Ievan Polkka,” a 1930s Finnish folk song. As Fallon enthusiastically introduced the act, the show’s cameras panned to a quartet of Nordic singers delivering the famous Finnish polka refrain a cappella.