Army major Deniss Metsavas was a role model for successful integration of Russians in Estonia. He appeared on TV several times posing as a patriotic Estonian. But now he has been exposed as a GRU spy, and suspicion against the Russian minority has soared.
NATO
Baltic and Black Sea compared – deterred in the North
Nikolas Gvosdev argues in War on the Rocks that Russia’s build-up in the Black Sea Basin is more concerning than in the Baltic Area. This leads me to reflect on the differences. The Black Sea area is more contested, and there is no united deterrence against Russia. But that does not mean that there is room for complacency in the Baltic region.
Russia’s military budget has nothing to do with the GDP of Spain
An often used reference to the GDP of Spain says nothing about Russia’s military potential. Instead, Russia’s defense budget gives them the same purchasing power as Germany, France, and the United Kingdom combined.
Ukraine adopts warship pennant number system from NATO
Ukraine has adopted the pennant number system from NATO. This means that Ukrainian warships will get a letter that matches their type according to NATO’s system. Incidentally there now is a Ukrainian training vessel with the same pennant number as the Danish royal yacht.
Fear of missile defense traces back to World War II for Russia
Article recommendation about the history of Russian concerns with Western missile defense technology. This is not a new thing, and there is little hope for arms control treaties that do not include missile defense.
Let’s not question the future of Königsberg
Next time you think the Russians are paranoid for believing that NATO might attack them, keep this in mind: Jüri Saar has an article titled “The Future of Königsberg” in Diplomaatia, which is an Estonian think tank publication. In this he argues that the 1975 Helsinki Accords are no longer valid, and that Kaliningrad is […]
The idea that NATO wants to attack Russia is very common
In Russian security discussions there is a very different narrative about world events than in the West. Few people realize the extend to which the West is portrayed as a fascist coalition that wants to undermine Russia and uses clandestine conspiracies to achieve its goals. This is not just a propaganda byline but a fairly […]
More US soldiers and Baltic Sea Policing Mission among ICDS recommendations for NATO
How should the United States and NATO prioritize their resources to the Baltic States? That is the topic of this policy paper that Erik Marmei and Gabriel White have written for ICDS. The policy paper outlines a series of weaknesses with the defense in the Baltic States. It is pointed out that despite the fact […]
How would a war between Russia and the West play out?
There is a specific military scenario connected with the possibility of a war between Russia and the West in the Baltic area. This summary explains how the war can develop from a limited insurgency to a nuclear exchange.
Book review: War With Russia
General Sir Richard Shirreff’s book is important and educational, but it is mostly for those with an interest in military affairs.