Marta Kepe

Senior Defense Analyst
Washington Office

Education

M.A. in security studies, Georgetown University School of Foreign Service

Overview

Marta Kepe is a senior defense analyst at the RAND Corporation. She is also a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council’s Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security. Her research interests include European and transatlantic security, NATO and EU cooperation, national resilience, unconventional warfare, defence policy and planning, defence industry and technology.

Prior to joining the RAND Corporation, she worked for RAND Europe, the Latvian Ministry of Defence, NATO Advisory Team in Kosovo, the United Nations and the National War College.

She received her M.A. in security studies from the Georgetown University School of Foreign Service.

Research Focus

Recent Projects

  • Exploring Europe’s capability requirements for 2035 and beyond
  • Opportunities for European collaboration in armoured vehicles
  • Strategic Exercise for the Arctic region
  • Defence and security after Brexit: Understanding the possible implications of the UK's decision to leave the EU

Selected Publications

Anika Binnendijk, Marta Kepe, Civilian-Based Resistance in the Baltic States. Historic Precedents and Current Capabilities, RAND Corporation (RR-A198-3), 2021

Marta Kepe, James Black, Jack Melling, Jessica Plumridge, Exploring Europe's Capability Requirements for 2035 and Beyond, European Defense Agency (EP-6656), 2018

Marta Kepe, Richard Flint, Julia Muravska, Future Collaboration Opportunities For Light and Medium Multirole Helicopters in Europe, RAND Corporation (RR-3034-EDA), 2019

Marek N. Posard, Marta Kepe, Hilary Reininger, James V. Marrone, Todd C. Helmus, Jordan R. Reimer, From Consensus to Conflict. Understanding Foreign Measures Targeting U.S. Elections, RAND Corporation (RR-A704-1), 2020

Stephen J. Flanagan, Jan Osburg, Anika Binnendijk, Marta Kepe, Andrew Radin, Deterring Russian Aggression in the Baltic States Through Resilience and Resistance, RAND Corporation (RR-2779), 2019

Commentary

  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a news conference for foreign media in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 12, 2022, photo by Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters

    What Is Continuity of Government, and Why Does It Matter for Ukraine's National Resistance?

    As Ukraine continues to resist Russian occupation, future-focused planning could help it win a longer-term struggle to protect its legitimate government and deny Russia the political consolidation it seeks. Ensuring the continuity of Ukraine's democratically elected government could be a means of preserving national sovereignty moving forward.

    Mar 17, 2022 The RAND Blog

  • Ukrainian service members at a check point after Russia launched a massive military operation against Ukraine, in Zhytomyr, Ukraine, February 27, 2022, photo by Viacheslav Ratynskyi/Reuters

    What Kind of Resistance Can Ukraine Mount?

    Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has ordered general mobilization, and Ukrainians are already engaging in irregular warfare and preparing for a prolonged resistance. What might a comprehensive Ukrainian resistance entail? What is the potential effectiveness, and what are the risks? What support could the international community provide?

    Feb 28, 2022 Defense News

  • Silhouette of a soldier wearing equipment with A.I. on the horizon, photo by U.S. Army

    Considering Military Culture and Values When Adopting AI

    As the U.S. military contemplates increasing the number and diversity of AI and other autonomous systems, it should consider timely means of mitigating any potential negative side effects.

    Jun 22, 2020 Small Wars Journal

  • NATO helicopters land at Afghan and U.S. Special Forces base in Deh Bala district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan, July 7, 2018

    Lives on the Line: The A2AD Challenge to Combat Casualty Care

    Countries such as Russia and China continue to develop and expand the ability to integrate long-range strike, anti-ship, anti-air, space and cyber abilities. Provision of medical support could be a worthy priority for NATO planners when considering deterrence of and defense against near-peer or peer adversaries.

    Jul 31, 2018 Modern War Institute (West Point)

  • Bridge stretching across the Vistula River during the joint NATO exercise Anakonda 2016, near Chelmno, Poland, June 7-17, 2016

    Exploring the Allied Decisions on Military Mobility in Europe

    Debates about defense expenditure and concerns over the unity of NATO overshadowed decisions on defense and deterrence in Europe made during the recent NATO summit and European Council meetings. Both high-level events brought significant and tangible conclusions with potential impacts on defense, deterrence, and readiness in Europe.

    Jul 27, 2018 Defense News

  • A U.S. Army Soldier guides an M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank from 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, off the ramp of the ARC vessel Endurance May 20 at the Port of Antwerp, Belgium, May 20, 2018

    Military Mobility Returns to the Forefront in Europe

    The importance of military mobility has returned only recently to the international high-level agenda, specifically NATO and the European Union. The EU is expected to tackle the issue of military mobility during a European Council meeting in late June, and NATO will convene a summit in July.

    Jun 25, 2018 Defense News

  • An M1A1 Abrams tank from Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division rolls out of a motor pool during a convoy operation during exercise Allied Spirit VIII at the U.S. Army’s Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, Jan. 25, 2018

    Preparing for the NATO Summit: Why Military Mobility Should Be on Top of the Agenda

    Improving military mobility in Europe has recently gathered momentum. But due to the complexity of the issue, it remains to be seen what specific progress will be made by the NATO summit in July. The same goes for how new EU initiatives will complement NATO requirements.

    Feb 26, 2018 RealClearDefense

  • Belgian army Special Forces during a military exercise organised by the European Defence Agency at Florennes airbase, Belgium, November 30, 2016

    The Lack of Clarity Over Medical Support for Light Footprint Operations and How It Could Be Solved

    Early identification and planning for medical support for EU-led military operations are vital to saving lives, treating injuries and keeping personnel healthy. Common standards would ensure high-quality and consistent medical support regardless of which country is providing it.

    Sep 19, 2017 Pan European Networks

  • Acting Secretary of the Army Robert Speer visits the Bemowo Piskie Training Area near Orzysz, Poland, where U.S., U.K., and Romanian soldiers support NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence, May 5, 2017

    NATO: Prepared for Countering Disinformation Operations in the Baltic States?

    NATO alliance countries deploying to the Baltics should prepare to deal with increasing levels of disinformation. An open and robust communication strategy could be crucial in tackling a sophisticated Russian disinformation campaign aimed at disrupting support for these deployments.

    Jun 7, 2017 European Geostrategy

  • A Lithuanian army soldier holds the national flag during the NATO Force Integration Unit inauguration event in Vilnius, Lithuania, September 3, 2015

    'If You Want Peace, Prepare for Resistance'

    Lithuania's government issued a guide on how its citizens can resist a potential Russian invasion and occupation. Resistance is a key element of the “Total Defense” strategy all three Baltic states have been pursuing, spurred on by Russian aggression.

    Nov 22, 2016 The National Interest

  • Partner nations parading their colors at the opening ceremony of Combined Endeavor 2014 in Grafenwohr, Germany

    NATO Decides to 'Troop the Colours' As Symbol of Deterrence in the Baltics

    At its Warsaw summit in July, NATO agreed to establish a permanent rotating presence of its troops in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. The decision may be interpreted as NATO's commitment to take its Baltic members' concerns seriously.

    Jul 28, 2016 European Geostrategy

Publications