Fading Russian Influence in the Baltic States Assessment Answer

Introduction

A turbulent and lengthy history unites Russia, the Baltic States, Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia with their neighbors to the east. Over the years, several different nations have held power over these nations, including the Soviet Union, Germany, and Sweden. The Baltic States have prioritized creating their own identities and connections to the West since obtaining independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The fading or diminishing Russian influence in the Baltic States concerning defense and current international affairs is examined in this essay.

According to Dillon (2014), the way that power is divided among states makes the globe dangerous. The power balance in the area changed in favor of the West as a result of the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the late 20th century. Dillon claims that this change is also to blame for Russia's declining sway over the Baltic States. A further, more complex alternative viewpoint is provided by International Conflict in International Relations. According to the authors, a number of factors, including the growth of NATO and the EU as well as changes to Russian foreign policy, have led to a decrease in Russian influence in the Baltic States (Pevehouse et al. 2017). Russia still has close political and economic relations with the Baltic States, despite a recent decline in its power in the area. According to Bova (2012), the greater geopolitical environment highlighted the issue of waning Russian influence in the Baltic States. Power and influence are spreading out and decentralizing, the author contends, and the global order is fundamentally altering. According to Bova, a greater trend toward a more multipolar world is shown by the loss of Russian sway in the Baltic States. Before examining the declining Russian influence in the Baltic States in relation to defense and modern international affairs, it is necessary to understand the historical and current context between the Baltic States and Russia. At the end of World War I, the Baltic States gained independence after being a part of the Russian Empire. Prior to being ruled by the Soviet Union in 1940, the Baltic States enjoyed a brief period of independence (Brown 2004). During this time, the Baltic States experienced intense persecution, which included executions and deportations. The Baltic States have made significant efforts to distance themselves from Russia, among other things, through their defence policy. Along with increasing their defense capabilities, the Baltic States are establishing stronger connections with NATO (Pevehouse et al. 2017). Lithuania now spends 2.5% of GDP on defense, Latvia spends 2%, and Estonia spends 2.3% of GDP, all of which are increases from previous years. The minimum of 2% of GDP set by NATO is exceeded by these amounts of defense spending. Additionally, they are bigger (Brown 2004). The Baltic States want to increase their defence expenditure while simultaneously tightening their relations with NATO. Since the Baltic States became members of NATO in 2004, having this guarantee of collective defence has helped them in their attempts to deter any potential Russian aggression. Understanding the interactions between Russia and the Baltic States is still challenging. The Baltic States are striving to distance themselves from Russia while it is attempting to reassert its influence in the areas.

The minority communities that speak Russian are one of the key strategies for preserving Russian influence in the Baltic States. In Latvia and Estonia, native Russian speakers make up about 25% of the population (Brown 2004). Using the excuse that Russian speakers' rights are being violated, Russia has used this minority population tactic to increase its dominance in the region. The Baltic States have accused Russia of trying to influence them through the use of energy. After Russia shut off Lithuania's gas supplies in 2014, Lithuania set up a liquefied natural gas port to reduce its reliance on Russian gas. Furthermore, the Baltic States have been successful in forging stronger relations with the EU despite Russian efforts to maintain influence in the region. The Baltic States are currently members of both NATO and the European Union (Brown 2004). The Baltic States now have access to the single market as a result of their membership, which has helped the business promote regional economic growth. 

The shifting security environment in Europe as a result of Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and its involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine is a key aspect of this trend when it comes to the relationship between modern international relations and defense (Dillon 2012). The Baltic nations now make up a significant portion of NATO's eastern flank as the collective defense has gained prominence (Dillon 2012). The alliance has increased its military presence in the region with the deployment of multinational battlegroups and the establishment of a NATO Force Integration Unit in each of the three countries. Additionally, to improve their defense capabilities, the Baltic countries have worked with other NATO members and invested in military modernization. While Estonia, for example, has developed a highly efficient cyber defense system, Latvia and Lithuania have focused on enhancing their ground armies and air defense capabilities (Brown 2004). The decline of Russian influence in the Baltic states in terms of defence and current international relations has been attributed to a number of factors, including the changing security environment in Europe, the strengthening of ties with Western allies, and a strategy of cautious engagement with Russia. With the deployment of multinational battlegroups and the creation of a NATO Force Integration Unit in each of the three nations, the alliance has strengthened its military presence in the area. The Baltic nations have also collaborated with other NATO members and made investments in military modernization to strengthen their defence capacities. For instance, while Latvia and Lithuania have concentrated on improving their ground armies and air defence capabilities, Estonia has constructed a highly effective cyber defence system (Brown 2004). Several causes, including the shifting security landscape in Europe, the development of connections with Western allies, and a strategy of cautious engagement with Russia, have been cited as contributing to the fall of Russian influence in the Baltic states in terms of defence and current international affairs. Additionally, they have taken an active role in international organizations like NATO, the European Union, and the United Nations, utilizing their clout to advance their own objectives while also promoting peace and stability in the region (Art 2017).

As a result, Russian influence in the region has dwindled, particularly in terms of security and military. Bova does call attention to the reality that the Baltic nations are still dealing with issues such as Russian disinformation efforts, hacking, and attempts to spread false information in an attempt to undermine their democratic institutions. Brown, on the other hand, claims that the Baltic republics have successfully reduced their reliance on Russia by pursuing an engagement policy with the West (Brown 2004). They have accomplished this by strengthening their security capabilities and relationships, making them less vulnerable to a Russian invasion.

According to Brown, the Baltic nations have actively participated in international organisations such as NATO and the European Union, utilizing their influence to advance both their own goals and regional peace and security. According to Jervis (2017), the decrease in Russian influence in the Baltic countries is an indication of a broader decline in Russian power and influence on a worldwide scale. Jervis observes that increased international scrutiny and sanctions have weakened Russia's influence in the region as a result of its annexation of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Jervis also observes that by strengthening links with the West, the Baltic nations have been able to minimize their dependency on Russia and that this trend is likely to continue. According to Brown, the Baltic countries have actively participated in international organisations such as NATO and the European Union, leveraging their influence to promote both their own objectives and the region's peace and security. According to Jervis (2017), the decline of Russian influence in the Baltic republics is indicative of a global decline in Russian strength and influence. According to Jervis, Russia's influence in the region has declined as a result of its annexation and involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, as a result of heightened international attention and sanctions. Jervis also notes that by strengthening ties with the West, the Baltic countries have been able to reduce their reliance on Russia and that this trend is likely to continue.

Brown (2004) claims that the Baltic countries have succeeded in expanding their partnerships with NATO and the EU, allowing them to improve their own security capacity and reduce their vulnerability to Russian strikes. According to Brown, the growing importance of regional organisations such as NATO and the EU challenges conventional notions of state sovereignty and indicates a shift towards a more collaborative and integrated approach to international security. According to Jervis (2017), the multi-polarization of world politics is a more frequent trend than the waning Russian influence in the Baltic republics. Jervis contends that the rise of China, as well as the decline of the United States and Russia, has rendered international relations unpredictable and difficult. Jervis goes on to say that weaker nations like Russia and the United States may cause more instability and conflict in the future if they try to impose their own interests and influence.

The examination and evaluation of the evolving connected concepts of defense, development, and diplomacy in international conflicts are significantly impacted by the changing interrelationships between the ideas in international conflict. Initiatives taken by the Baltic countries to lessen their reliance on Russia are a key component of a broader trend toward globalization and the growing importance of international organisations in conflict management. The shifting interrelationships between the ideas in international conflict have a considerable impact on the analysis and evaluation of the evolving connected concepts of defense, development, and diplomacy in international conflicts. Baltic countries' efforts to reduce their dependency on Russia are an important component of a broader trend toward globalization and the growing relevance of international organizations in conflict resolution.

According to Posen, an increasing trend towards multipolarity in international affairs is also to blame for the decline in Russian influence in the Baltic republics. Posen contends that the emergence of multipolarity forces the United States and its allies to manage a more complicated and divided international order while protecting their own security and interests (Posen 2017).

According to Posen, the decline in Russian influence in the Baltic republics is also due to a growing trend towards multipolarity in international affairs (Posen 2017). Posen contends that the emergence of multipolarity forces the United States and its allies to manage a more complicated and divided international system while maintaining their own security and interests. The Baltic republics are striving to enhance their partnership with NATO and the EU in order to minimize their reliance on Russia. Both the trend towards globalization and the increased importance of international organisations in conflict resolution are indicators of this. The United States and its allies face tremendous hurdles in negotiating a more fragmented and diversified international order while ensuring their own security and interests.

The dominance of the United Nations and other Western countries is seriously threatened by China's ascent, and a larger shift in the global power structure is predicted by the breakdown of Russian influence in the Baltic states (Art 2017). According to Art, in response to this problem, the US and its allies have boosted their military presence in the region and begun diplomatic efforts to rein in Chinese influence. The United States and its allies should take prudence to avoid starting a conflict with China that may have disastrous repercussions for the whole planet.

In terms of the governance of defense in modern times in terms of good governance, accountability, policy formulation, leadership, and ethics, The fading Russian influence in the Baltic states has had a significant impact. According to Brown (2012), the Baltic states have worked to strengthen their defense institutions, advance good governance, and boost accountability and transparency in defense decision-making. Greater participation from civil society, improved information access, and the development of independent oversight institutions have all contributed to this. Additionally, Art emphasizes the significance of ethical behavior, accountability, and good governance in the context of defense policy (Art 2017). According to Art, strong defense governance requires leaders who are dedicated to ethical behavior and good governance principles, as well as leaders who are accountable to the general public and oversight institutions. Additionally, Art points out that clear policy formulation, strategic planning, and the capacity for adaptation to shifting conditions and new threats are all necessary for effective defense policy. Posen points out that strong and imaginative leadership, as well as distinct policy objectives and tactics, are necessary for effective defense policy. Posen adds that a clear awareness of the dangers and opportunities presented by shifting global power dynamics is a prerequisite for developing an effective defense policy. Jervis (2017) points out that the Baltic states have pushed to forge closer relations with NATO and the EU, enabling them to get access to more knowledge, and resources, and help in defense-related issues. In addition, Jervis points out that the Baltic states have tried to enhance their governance procedures with a focus on responsibility, openness, and strong leadership.

Overall, opportunities for the creation of more efficient and responsible defense governance practices have been presented by Russian involvement in the Baltic republics. Greater participation from civil society, improved information access, and the development of independent oversight institutions have all contributed to this. Principles of good governance, accountability, policy development, leadership, and ethics are necessary for effective defense governance. Leaders who are dedicated to upholding moral principles and who answer to the public and monitor organizations are necessary for good administration. Clear objectives and tactics for defense policy are also necessary, as is the capacity to change course in response to emerging dangers.

Conclusion

In conclusion, power politics are highlighted by Dillon, Pevehouse, and Goldstein providing a more nuanced analysis, and Bova places the subject in a larger geopolitical framework. However, the reduction in Russian influence in the region is a notable trend with significant political implications, according to all three analysts. A number of factors, including the shifting security landscape in Europe, the growth of relationships with Western allies, and a policy of cautious engagement with Russia, have been cited as contributing to the decline of Russian influence in the Baltic states in terms of defence and current international relations. By forging closer ties with NATO and the European Union, pursuing an engagement strategy with the West, and standing up for their interests in international organisations, the Baltic states have taken steps to lessen their reliance on Russia in terms of defense and current international affairs.

Overall, the Baltic nations now have the chance to create their own defense institutions and policies, strengthen their links with NATO, and get more information, resources, and help in defense-related matters as a result of the decline in Russian influence. The Baltic nations have shown a dedication to responsible leadership, good governance, and accountability when it comes to confronting the shifting global power arrangements and growing security issues. Furthermore, defence strategy must be flexible enough to change direction in response to emerging threats and have clear objectives and methods.

References

Art, R., 2017. The United States and the Rise of China. International Politics: Enduring concepts and contemporary issues, pp. 376-400. Boston, MA: Pearson.

Bova, R., 2012. Global Futures: Competing visions of the 21st Century in How the World Works: A brief survey of International Relations, pp. 269-291. Boston, MA: Pearson.

Brown, C., 2004. Political theory and international relations. Handbook of Political Theory, p.289.

Dillon, M., 2014. What makes the world dangerous? In Jenny Edkins and Maja Zehfuss (eds). Global Politics: A new introduction (Second Edition) , pp. 519-538. London: Routledge.

Jervis, R., 2017. The era of leading power peace. In Robert J. Art and Robert Jervis International Politics: Ensuring Concepts and Contemporary Issues, pp. 376-400. Boston, MA: Pearson.

Pevehouse, Jon C. W., and Joshua S. Goldstein, 2017. International conflict in International Relations, pp. 128-160. Boston, MA: Pearson.

Posen, B., 2017. Emerging Multipolarity: Why should we care? Enduring concepts and contemporary issues, pp. 532-540. Boston, MA: Pearson.

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