Accession Number:

ADA561675

Title:

Collective Defense of the Baltic States: A SOF Beginning

Descriptive Note:

Strategy Research Project

Corporate Author:

ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA

Personal Author(s):

• Jauniskis, Darius

Report Date:

2012-03-20

Pagination or Media Count:

34.0

Abstract:

Twenty years ago the three Baltic States of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia regained their independence at relatively the same time. All of them became members of NATO in 2004. They also joined the European Union that same year. Despite their membership in the powerful military alliance of NATO and their association with the EU, the threat from Russia remains. Continuous cyber attacks and information operations, clear political messages, and other actions from the Big neighbor show that Russia has not abandoned her ambition to control this region. Will the three Baltic States repeat their historic failure to build a united defense against an aggressive military invasion as in the 1940s Can these tiny Baltic States set aside separate agendas and build a united, well coordinated, and capable resistance against the genuine threat of a powerful adversary This Strategic Research Project SRP argues that the threat from Russia persists. Consequently, Baltic States must build a robust collective defense to counter this threat. This cooperative defense should begin with a collective Baltic Special Operations Force trained and equipped to thwart Russian aggression in the region.

Descriptors:

• *BALTIC COUNTRIES
• *DEFENSE SYSTEMS
• ATTACK
• ESTONIA
• EUROPEAN UNION
• LATVIA
• LITHUANIA
• NATO
• POLITICAL SCIENCE
• RUSSIA

Subject Categories:

• Defense Systems

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE