Accession Number:

AD1038168

Title:

THE BALTIC SEA REGION - IN NEED OF A MORE TOTAL DEFENSE

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

AIR WAR COLLEGE MAXWELL AFB United States

Personal Author(s):

• PETERSSON,TOMMY

Report Date:

2017-04-05

Pagination or Media Count:

37.0

Abstract:

This is a paper about the security situation in the Baltic Sea region. Its thesis is that when it comes to the security situation there, the Western responses to Russias actions can be characterized as too little, too slow. Further actions are suggested, here framed as Total Defense, including more resilient Psychological Defense, recognizing the threat and defending against it with civilian cyber security capabilities as well as quick, reliable, transparent information, and education in source reliability. Furthermore, a strengthened Economic Defense is needed, where especially the European dissonance in energy policy must be addressed, as well as an improved Civil Defense considering basic needs and protection of the people in times of crisis. Resilient people in trustful societies are needed to effectively resist cross-domain coercion. A stronger Military Defense is also needed, where all allies and partners live up to the two percent commitment, and with substantial multinational presence in Eastern Europe. There the force structures also should shift focus from the last decades expeditionary mindset, and larger conscript forces are advocated. This Total Defense should be applied within a comprehensive approach, both nationally and in close international cooperation. NATO and the EU are both essential in this effort. Future policies should be aimed at comprehensive deterrence and denial, without escalation or cornering Russia.

Descriptors:

• Baltic sea
• foreign policy
• Russia
• threats
• civil defense
• nato
• European union
• military operations
• political movements
• national security
• international law
• international relations
• economic sanctions
• political systems
• treaties
• globalization
• economic sanctions
• geopolitics
• history
• military forces(foreign)
• diplomacy

Subject Categories:

• Government and Political Science

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE