Nordic-Baltic Region Archives - ICDS

Nordic-Baltic Region

British Power in Baltic Weather: The UK’s Role in Nordic-Baltic Security and UK-Estonia Defence Cooperation

For many decades, the United Kingdom has been an important player in the Nordic-Baltic region, and today it aims to increase its contribution to security and stability of the region. The UK has long been an attractive partner for countries in the region that seek to maintain strong relations with the geopolitical heavyweight possessing a similar outlook on the security environment, transatlantic relations, utility of military force, and the threat from Russia. Given London’s interest for global engagement and its limited means, ensuring continuous and reliable British involvement in the region is a priority for Nordic-Baltic states.

Publications

A Better Balance. Imposing Costs on Hybrid Aggressors in the Baltic States

The Kremlin has made no secret of the importance it attaches to military power as an instrument of foreign policy, most obviously in Georgia from 2008, in Ukraine from 2014, and in Syria from 2015. Below the threshold of war, Russia has frequently used military instruments to harass other states, including in the Baltic region.

Commentary

From Isolationist Neutrality to Allied Solidarity: The Swedish Road to NATO Membership

When the Swedish government under Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson submitted the Swedish application for NATO membership to NATO HQ in Brussels on May 18th, 2022, it was widely and correctly considered a historic event. But why did it happen? And why did it happen so seemingly fast? To understand this, both the peculiar history of Swedish security policy—or the “grand strategy”—and the recent developments must be taken into account.

Commentary

Finland Turned to NATO Membership with Lightning Speed

When Russia launched its open and brutal attack on Ukraine on 24 February 2022, Finland immediately realized that the security environment had fundamentally changed overnight.

Publications

Geopolitics of Europe’s Hydrogen Aspirations: Creating Sustainable Equilibrium or a Combustible Mix?

Discussions about hydrogen’s role in the transition to carbon-neutral economies and the EU’s Green Deal seldom include consideration of geopolitical aspects and/or national security imperatives. However, given the importance of energy as a factor in global and regional geopolitical trends and national security, hydrogen development will reshape not only energy relations between countries but will also alter the broader geopolitical picture.

Commentary

How France-Russia Relations Could Affect the Security of the Baltic Sea Region

President of France, Emmanuel Macron, whose country is currently holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union, does not want the EU to be relegated to the background behind NATO and the US. He wishes to demonstrate his ability to oppose Russia while also maintaining dialogue with Moscow.

Commentary

Finland and Sweden Do Not Have the ‘NATO Option’ They Think They Have

Finland and Sweden do not have a fast track to join NATO. If they apply for membership, they must be able to show they can meet NATO’s political, military, legal, resource and security preconditions, or at least have a plan to address any obvious shortfalls.

Publications

Small States, Different Approaches: Estonia and Norway on the UN Security Council

In 2021, Estonia and Norway served as elected members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Both being relatively small states, defending multilateral cooperation and rules-based international order were important common goals.

Publications

Nordic-Baltic Connectivity with Asia via the Arctic: Assessing Opportunities and Risks

The Arctic is occupying an increasingly important position in connectivity between Asia and the Nordic-Baltic countries. This is not least because climate change opens up new economic opportunities to make use of the region’s vast resources and develop the northern transport routes. Along with possibilities, the need to ensure peaceful, norms-based and environmentally sustainable development in the Artic region poses a complex challenge.

Publications

The Belarusian Armed Forces: Structures, Capabilities, and Defence Relations with Russia

The Belarusian armed forces have limited capability. They are undermanned and mostly equipped with dated weapon systems. But as Russia’s only ally on its western border, Belarus would play a critical role in the event of a Russia-NATO conflict.

News

October 9, 2023

Translatlantic Periscope for Estonia launched
ICDS is proud to announce the launch of the Transatlantic Periscope’s bilat...
October 2, 2023

ICDS launches Japan Chair
On 1 October 2023, Dr Elena Atanassova-Cornelis joined the ICDS as the firs...
August 11, 2023

Summer Interns of 2023
Every summer, the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS) has...
June 29, 2023

NATO Summit: join the Public Forum online
On 11-12 July 2023, NATO’s heads of state and government will meet in Vilni...

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