SIM1 Assesment Q1
docx
keyboard_arrow_up
School
Georgia College & State University *
*We aren’t endorsed by this school
Course
INTERNATIO
Subject
Political Science
Date
Dec 6, 2023
Type
docx
Pages
2
Uploaded by AmbassadorUniverseFlamingo38
Nina Nicholson
Assessment Questions 1
1.
What is the security situation in the Baltic states as presented in this case?
As presented in this case, the United States National Security Council has been tasked with
evaluating the risk the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) face since Russias annexation
of the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. The Baltic States are sandwiched in between two Russian
territories and are also former members of the USSR which both impact their border security
and measures that must be taken. The NSC must decide how they want to approach Russian
whether it be with diplomacy, economic measures, military measures, or a combination of
these options. With these measures in mind, the NSC must also consider that these states are
members of NATO and are protected under Article 5. The NSC must find a solution that
contains and deescalates Russia while trying to effectively reinforce the sovereignty of the
Baltic States.
2.
What kind of threat, if any, does the situation pose to U.S. national security?
In terms of U.S. national security, because the States are a member of NATO it is ideal that
the invoking of Article 5 does nto take place because then war would be declared on Russia.
This opens up oppuritnity for immense military damage as Russia has a strong military as
well as a large nuclear arsenal. Aside from military advancements against the United States,
economic pressure and strain could also occur.
3.
How has this history shaped the Baltic states’ domestic and foreign policies in
recent decades?
The Baltic states have worked to form foreign policy and relations that strengthen them for an
attack against Russia. The Baltics have worked closely with European neighbors to end their
energy reliance on Russia and limit almost all interactions with them. In 2022 Lituania,
Estonia, and Latvia put an end to all imports of Russian gas. Baltic states have also adopted
European inspired economic and social reform systems to help promote democracy and
reinforce their devotion to its principles. Much of the systems used within the Baltic States are
derived from wester or European influence and have proven successful for building relations
and maintains strong alliances.
4.
What is the nature of U.S. involvement in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization
(NATO)?
The United States maintain a strong presence within NATO and strongly support its allies.
NATO aims to have all of its members
contribute 2 percent of their GDP to the budget where
the United States contributes almost 5 percent of their GDP to the budget. The United States is
one of the original members or NATO and provides numerous resources for the intentions of
advancing and strengthening the Alliance. One aspect of this is that the United States is
arguably the only NATO member with a competing nuclear arsenal to that of Russia. This has
made the United States extremely impactful in terms of deterrence operations.
5.
How do recent events in Ukraine (in 2014 and today) inform the security of the
Baltic states?
In lights of the events of 2016, the Baltic States have all collectively increased their
defense spending budget. This included modernizing their military and their ability to act
rapidly in the event of an attack. With the help of NATO they have also worked to increase
their cyber security measures to avoid an attack like the one in Estonia in 2007. The Baltic
states have also increased Western and European relations as well as become more
integrated in European and Western economics. NATO has also increased military
presence at the border of the Baltic States and in the Black Sea that work rotationally
between NATO countries. Since 2021 and 2022, the US congress has appropriated almost
349 million dollars towards the Baltic Secirty Initiative which is a joint effort between the
US and the Baltic States to further strengthen Baltic borders and democracy.
Your preview ends here
Eager to read complete document? Join bartleby learn and gain access to the full version
- Access to all documents
- Unlimited textbook solutions
- 24/7 expert homework help