The International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS) is the leading think-tank in Estonia specialising in foreign policy, security and defence issues. We aim to be the regional knowledge hub of first choice for the security and defence communities of Estonia, its allies and partners.

ICDS was founded in 2006 by the decision of the Estonian Government, in the form of a foundation. Estonian Foreign Policy Institute merged with the ICDS as of January the 1st, 2018.

ICDS’ mission is to:

• Strengthen Estonia’s security and defence sector by identifying and analysing national security and defence challenges and proposing policy solutions;

• Sharpen strategic thinking in NATO and the EU on security issues that affect the Nordic-Baltic region by offering timely and high-quality analysis and policy recommendations;

• Contribute to enhancing Estonia’s intellectual role within NATO and the EU by developing forward-looking and innovative policy ideas and strategic solutions for the common European and transatlantic security and defence agenda;

• Raise public awareness and stimulate public debate on security, defence and foreign policy matters.

In pursuit of its mission, ICDS:

• Conducts research;

• Organises a major annual foreign policy event – the Lennart Meri Conference (LMC);

• Organises the Annual Baltic Conference on Defence (ABCD);

• Organises Estonian National Defence Courses;

• Publishes a foreign affairs magazine Diplomaatia, and

• Conducts various outreach activities;

• Provides internship opportunities.

LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT

Kristi Raik

Director

Kadri Laar

Chief Executive

RESIDENT RESEARCH FELLOWS

Tomas Jermalavičius

Head of Studies / Research Fellow

Tony Lawrence

Head of Defence Policy & Strategy Programme / Research Fellow

Marek Kohv

Head of Security & Resilience Programme

Helga Kalm

Director of the Lennart Meri Conference / Research Fellow

Siim Alatalu

Cybersecurity Fellow

Merili Arjakas

Editor-in-Chief of Diplomaatia / Research Fellow

Steven Blockmans

Senior Fellow

Bart Gaens

Japan Chair

Felix Gasper

Junior Research Fellow

Igor Gretskiy

Research Fellow

Toomas Hanso

Junior Research Fellow

Sanshiro Hosaka

Sanshiro Hosaka

Research Fellow

Kai Kaarelson

Research Fellow

Ivan U. K. Klyszcz

Research Fellow

Nele Loorents

Research Fellow

Kristi Luigelaht

Project Manager

Marianne Paire

Visiting Fellow

Henrik Praks

Research Fellow

James Sherr OBE

Honorary Fellow

Tauno Tõhk

Research Fellow

NON-RESIDENT RESEARCH FELLOWS

Elena Atanassova-Cornelis

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Christofer Berglund

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Hille Hanso

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Luukas Ilves

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Ivo Juurvee

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Pekka Kallioniemi

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Henrik Larsen

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Mykola Nazarov

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Alar Olljum

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Henry Rõigas

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Veli-Pekka Tynkkynen

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Peter Watkins

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Michael Weiss

Non-Resident Research Fellow

Mike Winnerstig

Non-Resident Research Fellow

EVENTS & OUTREACH

Madis Mikko

Director of Estonian National Defence Course

Sten-Kristian Saluveer

Director of the Tallinn Digital Summit

Tetiana Fedosiuk

Publication Manager / Editor of Diplomaatia

Piret Karus

Project Manager of Estonian National Defence Course

Maret Koplus

Event Coordinator

Piret Kuusk

Assistant

Liisi Poll

Head of Communications

Kristel Potsepp

Research Assistant

Mart Põrk

Communications Specialist

Andres Rattassep

Communications Adviser

Ketter Sarapuu

Event Coordinator

SUPERVISORY BOARD

Chairman of the Board

Kaimo Kuusk

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence of Estonia

Members of the Board

Ahti Kuningas

Secretary General, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications

Andres Kuningas

Head of European Union and International Affairs Department, Ministry of Finance of Estonia

Marko Mihkelson

Foreign Affairs Committee member, Estonian Parliament

Raul Rebane

Media expert

Erkki Tori

Director for National Security and Defence Coordination Unit, Government Office

Jonatan Vseviov

Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia

INTERNSHIPS

The ICDS welcomes applications from any outstanding candidate with the potential to significantly contribute to our work. Given the heavy research focus of our internship programme, those with relevant education and/or experience in our areas of study, especially current postgraduate students, are particularly welcome to apply.

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