The Baltics, NATO and Why They Matter to the US
June 21, 2017
Daniel Kochis
The Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are more than NATO allies. They are also western democratic nations with innovative economies. They regained their independence from Moscow after the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991 and became members of NATO and the EU in 2004. The U.S. has historically championed the sovereignty and territorial integrity of these three small Baltic nations; but they are once again under threat from a resurgent Kremlin. The ability of the U.S. and NATO to overcome the unique geographic, military, and political difficulties in defending the region has far reaching implications for long term transatlantic security and support for western values.
Daniel Kochis is a Policy Analyst in European Affairs in the Margaret Thatcher Center for Freedom. He specializes in trans-Atlantic security issues regularly publishing on US policy in Europe, NATO, US-Russian relations, and Arctic issues. Kochis is also a resident author for the Heritage Foundation’s annual Index of US Military Strength and Policy Analyst in European Affairs, the Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy.
His writings have been featured in Forbes, Foxnews, RealClearWorld, the National Interest, and the Washington Times. A frequent media contributor, Daniel has provided expert analysis in hundreds of interviews for foreign and domestic outlets including Al-Jezeera English, FoxNews, National Public Radio, Wall Street Journal, and Voice of America. Daniel has presented at the Transatlantic Think Tank Conference in Brussels, Belgium as well as the US Southern Command, and has provided parliamentary evidence to the UK House of Lords Select Committee on the Arctic.
Please note: Mr Kochis will also be addressing the Albuquerque Committee on Foreign Relations (ACFR) dinner Tuesday, June 20. SFWAF members may attend at AFCR member prices. For more information please contact ACFR program chair Bob McGuire (remcg@comcast.net) or 505-281-1108.
This program will be in the Santa Fe Community College Board Room (room #223).