Deterring Russian Aggression In The Baltic States

Download or read book Deterring Russian Aggression in the Baltic States written by Brian C. Chellgren and published by . This book was released on 2018 with total page 25 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: "Over the last twenty years, Russia has observed and studied how the US prepares and executes military operations, and it is now time for the US and NATO to recognize how Russia conducts operations to achieve its political objectives. Recent Russian operations provide a sneak peek at how Russia may act in the future in a region that, history has shown, is of particular interest to Russia. The single event which most stoked the fire of conflict between Russia and the Baltic states was the joining of NATO in 2004 by Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. This paper recommends that NATO and the US implement a portfolio of deterrence measures across all instruments of power that are focused on vulnerabilities within the Baltic states which Russia could capitalize upon to expand its regional influence without triggering an Article 5 response. In the final analysis, the risks of not enacting strong deterrent measures within the Baltic states could prove disastrous not only to Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, but to the NATO Alliance as well. The US and NATO must make it abundantly clear to Russia that there is a line that cannot be crossed without serious consequences. The cost will be great in both blood and treasure to compel Russia to reverse a move it already made. The implementation of this paper's recommendations will send a crystal clear message to Russia of the US and NATO's full commitment to the Baltic states, their willingness to go to war to defend them, and the enduring strength of NATO's collective security guarantee."--Abstract.