Estonia Is the Best U.S. Ally That Most Americans Have Never Heard Of

The tiny Baltic nation could teach President Trump a thing or two about the value of NATO and what small nations can offer a global superpower

An Estonian soldier stands watch over his bivouac during summer exercises in the Baltic nation. Photo: Paul R. Huard.

TAPA, Estonia — Birch forest and farmland stretch for miles around the town, providing the kind of idyllic scenery that tourist offices love to photograph and post on websites that describe the charms of this Baltic nation.

In particular, the forest here often draws people into its depths in search of edible mushrooms, an activity so popular it could be classed as a national pastime.

But on this day gates and soldiers guarding them keep civilians from wandering into the forest. The woods also hold part of the Central Training Area where the Estonian Defense Forces hone their skills with small arms, artillery, and armored vehicles so they can repel any enemy.

In a nation that has a 700-year history of multiple conquests by larger, more powerful European neighbors, Estonia’s pursuit for national security can be summed up in a brief phrase: Never again.

Never, ever again.

BOOM!