The evolving security relationship between NATO and Russia has important implications for Air Force strategy, posture, and regional engagement. The study for which this document is the executive summary focuses on the implications of the changing relationship with Russia for U.S. Air Force and defense engagement with a group of key allies and partner states in northeastern Europe.

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NATO's Northeastern Flank — Emerging Opportunities for Engagement

An Overview

by Christopher S. Chivvis, Raphael S. Cohen, Bryan Frederick, Daniel S. Hamilton, F. Stephen Larrabee, Bonny Lin

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الجناح الشمالي الشرقي لحلف شمال الأطلسي (الناتو)- فرص التدخل المستجدة: لمحة عامة

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Research Questions

  1. How is Russian aggression shaping the demand for U.S. Air Force and defense engagement along NATO's Northeastern Flank?
  2. What specific initiatives should the U.S. seek in its engagement with these countries as a result?

Russian aggression in Ukraine, combined with Russian snap exercises on NATO's borders, multiple aerial incursions into NATO and partner territory, cruise missile modernization, nuclear modernization, anti-Western rhetoric, and domestic political uncertainty, have forced a deep reassessment of U.S. strategy, plans, and posture in Europe and other regions in which Russia is active. Renewed tensions with Russia have important implications for Air Force strategy, posture, and regional engagement in Europe. RAND was thus asked to assess opportunities for enhanced partnering in the region in the face of Russian aggression, and the study for which this document is the executive summary focuses on the implications of the changing relationship with Russia for U.S. Air Force partnership activities in a group of key allies and partner states in northeastern Europe.

Key Findings

  • U.S. Defense Priorities in Central Europe Are Shifting
  • Key Countries Where New Opportunities for Deeper Partnerships Are Emerging Include the Baltics, Finland, Poland, and Sweden
  • U.S. Engagement Strategy Should Focus on Strengthening Deterrence in the Baltic States

Recommendations

  • Poland: Ensure a secure logistics and staging point for forward based U.S./NATO operations in the region.
  • Sweden and Finland: Support efforts toward their capability to defend their airspace for extended periods with high confidence and minimal U.S./NATO support so they can serve as a launching point for allied logistics and air operations of the Baltics if needed.
  • Baltic States: Ensure these states can rapidly receive allied ground forces and support allied air forces, for deterrence in peacetime as well as in a crisis.

Research conducted by

The research reported here was sponsored by the United States Air Force and conducted by the Strategy and Doctrine Program within RAND Project AIR FORCE.

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