February 15, 2019

ICDS Munich Security Conference Side-Event Asks How to Defend Baltic States

The International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS) is inviting defence and security policy experts attending the renowned Munich Security Conference to a high-level side-event on the defence of the Baltic states.

Estonian defence minister Jüri Luik, Lithuanian foreign minister Linas Linkevičius, former NATO ASG for Defence Policy and Planning Lt Gen (ret) Heinrich Brauss, and Dean of the College of International and Security Studies at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies Andrew Michta will share their insights at the ICDS event tomorrow, 16 February.

“Russia’s annexation of Crimea and ongoing war in south-east Ukraine compelled NATO to revisit its core mission of collective defence and deploy multinational battlegroups to the Baltic states and Poland,” noted Sven Sakkov, Director of the ICDS who will be moderating the discussion in Munich. “This has had a significant impact on providing a deterrent presence. However, Russia continues to challenge the West on a broad front and NATO needs to be ready for even unlikely scenarios. But where is the balance between deterrence and provocation? Is enhanced forward presence enough or is more needed in terms of numbers or capabilities? Do we need a US military presence in the Baltic states?”

Over the course of the past five decades, the Munich Security Conference has developed into one of the world’s leading forums for debate on international security policy. It brings together more than 450 heads of state and government, ministers of defence and foreign affairs, and numerous representatives of major international organisations and leading think-tanks from all over the world.

This year the main themes include the EU’s self-assertion, transatlantic cooperation, and the possible consequences of a renewed era of great power competition. In addition, experts from around the globe will discuss the future of arms control and cooperation in defence policy. The intersection between trade and international security will be examined, as will the effects on international security of climate change, migration and technological innovations.

Find out more about this year’s Munich Security Conference (15–17 February) at https://www.securityconference.de/en/

For further information on the ICDS side-event, contact Triin Oppi, ICDS Head of Communications, at +372 502 5120, [email protected], or via www.icds.ee.

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