Open AccessLatvia’s Security and Defence Post-2014
Author(s) -
Toms Rostoks,
Nora Vanaga
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
journal on baltic security./journal on baltic security
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2382-9230
pISSN - 2382-9222
DOI - 10.1515/jobs-2016-0045
Subject(s) - latvian , political science , annexation , national security , foreign policy , security studies , security policy , border security , public administration , law , computer security , politics , philosophy , linguistics , computer science
This article takes a comprehensive look at developments in Latvia’s security and defence policies since 2014. The annexation of Crimea and the outbreak of the military conflict in Ukraine provided a major impetus for Latvian decision-makers to counter external and domestic threats to national security. The article discusses three key aspects of Latvia’s post-2014 security and defence developments. First, it looks at the transformation of security perceptions on the policy-making level. Second, the article discusses Latvia’s efforts to strengthen its military capabilities. Domestic security developments are also discussed. Third, differences between attitudes of Latvians and Russian-speakers towards a number of security and defence-related issues are presented. The article concludes that much has been done since 2014, but progress has been uneven. It will take more than just a few years to close the existing gaps in domestic and external security of Latvia.