Nordic-Baltic perceptions of shared security
Date
2018
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Tartu Ülikool
Abstract
Since 2014, the security environment around the Baltic Sea has gone through an
increase of instability and has gained higher military-strategic importance. After
Russia’s aggressive behaviour towards Ukraine and the following international tensions,
the Baltic, but also the Nordic countries have become extensively exposed to a military
threat from the East. In managing common threats, cooperative security efforts are of
uttermost importance for such a small area. The thesis analyses the Nordic-Baltic
countries’ perceptions of collective security within the framework of regional security
complex theory, looking at the states’ strategic relation to NATO and at their interests
of cooperation within the Nordic-Baltic area in the changed security environment. The
research is conducted by qualitative content analysis and is based on strategic
documentation. Through this, contributions are made to literature and theory as well as
to research on the Nordic-Baltic area and mapping the policy interests of Denmark,
Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway and Sweden. The thesis argues that recent
developments in the security situation have motivated the Nordic-Baltic countries to
come closer in regional security cooperation, and that all countries of the area are
strategically remarkably similar to NATO, regardless of whether they are member or
partner states of the Alliance.