Title

Baltic Security Focus of Upcoming Helsinki Commission Briefing

Thursday, December 01, 2016

WASHINGTON—The Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, also known as the Helsinki Commission, today announced the following briefing:

“BALTIC SECURITY AFTER THE WARSAW NATO SUMMIT”

Wednesday, December 7, 2016
2:00 PM
Cannon House Office Building
Room 340

The Baltic States are on the front lines of Moscow’s demonstrated willingness to use force to change borders in its neighborhood. In recent years Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have been subject to a series of provocations and threats from their Russian neighbor, stoking fears of potential aggression in the region. Many have questioned NATO’s ability and willingness to defend the Baltics from Russian aggression, even after the Alliance decided at the July 2016 Warsaw Summit to deploy four international battalions to the region, in conjunction with a significant commitment of U.S. forces and equipment.

Speakers will review Russian actions vis-à-vis the Baltic States; evaluate the multifaceted threats to the region; and assess ongoing national, regional, and Alliance responses. They will also offer their ideas on how the new U.S. Administration should approach the region.

The following experts are scheduled to participate:

  • Michael Johnson, Senior Defense Research Analyst, RAND Corporation
  • Magnus Nordenman, Director, Transatlantic Security Initiative, Deputy Director, Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, Atlantic Council of the United States
  • Karl Altau, Managing Director, Joint Baltic American National Committee, Inc.
Media contact: 
Name: 
Stacy Hope
Email: 
csce[dot]press[at]mail[dot]house[dot]gov
Phone: 
202.225.1901
Relevant issues: 
International Organizations
Military Aspects of Security
Territorial Integrity
Relevant countries: 
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Russian Federation
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