Monocle on Sunday News and reflections from the week, with updates from Ekenäs and Zürich
Sep 21, 2025
Alex von Tunzelmann, a historian and cultural analyst, joins Charles Hecker, a Russia expert, to dissect the week's news. The discussion dives into alarming incursions into Estonian airspace and NATO's response, viewed through a Finnish lens. Petri Burtsoff shares insights on Nordic teens and their relationship with technology, including a mobile phone ban in schools. Tyler Brûlé explores Swiss lifestyle trends and the allure of foreign pharmacies, while also touching on the evolving landscape of media censorship under political pressures.
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Incursions Have Been Recurrent This Year
- Petri notes Estonia has already experienced multiple airspace violations this year and such events are common in the region.
- But this latest incident was longer and nearer Tallinn, making it notably severe.
Jets Near Tallinn Felt From Helsinki Ferry
- Petri Burtsoff describes the MiGs flying close to Tallinn near the island of Nysadiq, visible from the Helsinki-Tallinn ferry route.
- Estonian officials called it the most severe incident since joining NATO in 2004.
Reporting From A Gulf-Facing Summer House
- Petri Burtsoff explains he's at his summer house by the Gulf of Finland, harvesting and making mushroom pasta.
- He can almost see Estonia from his window, underscoring the region's proximity and shared concerns.
