NATO Research Articles

Russia's Weaponized Migration: Analysing its Impact on Finnish-Russian Border Security

ObjectivesThis study aims to understand the frameworks of Russia's hybrid maneuvers , specifically the strategic use of migration, on Finland's security, as well as that of the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The focus is on examining how migration is used by Russia as a geopolitical tool to influence the security landscape of these regions.MethodsEmploying a case study methodology, the analysis draws upon a diverse range of data sources and scholarly literature. It scrutinises Russia's tactical approaches towards Finland and other countries situated on NATO's eastern flank, shedding light on the broader implications for regional stability and security.ResultsThe findings underscore Russia's deployment of migration as a geopolitical lever, exerting significant pressure on national security frameworks. In response, Finland has strengthened its defence mechanisms and sought to enhance international cooperation to effectively counteract these challenges.ConclusionsAfter joining NATO, Finland plays a key role in ensuring the security of the northern flank. Due to its location, this country is compelled to respond in real time to all possible threats that come with the direct proximity of the Russian Federation. Consequently, Finland is, in a sense, a frontline state and other countries should draw from its experience.

Attitudes of Labor Migrants from Central Asia to International Integration Organizations in the Post-Soviet Space

The article presents the results of a sociological empirical study that was conducted from May to August in 2023. Its purpose was to study the attitudes of labor migrants in Russia towards various international integration processes in the post-Soviet space. The objects of the study were workers from Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, working in Moscow and the Moscow region. The choice of these countries is not accidental, as they are the main migration donors to the Russian Federation in Central Asia. The uniqueness of the research results lies in the fact that despite the certain “popularity” of such an empirical object as “labor migrants.” The analyzed subject has not yet been sufficiently developed theoretically and empirically. Particular attention is paid to the political preferences and migration attitudes of labor migrants. The issue of awareness of foreign workers of the activities of international integration and military-political associations, such as the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), European Union (EU), the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and also the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is examined. The paper also presents the respondents’ assessment of the role of these associations in the development of international processes. Separately, the article examines the relationship between Russia and migrant-sending countries. Based on the results of the study, the authors conclude that respondents have a positive attitude towards integration associations in which Russia plays a key role. Moreover, the socio-political attitudes of foreign workers are characterized by a high degree of loyalty to the foreign policy of the Russian Federation. Migrants overwhelmingly support international cooperation between their countries and Russia and share the foreign policy position of the Russian Federation. In conclusion, labor migrants from Central Asia can be considered as a resource and capital of the influence of Russian “soft power.”

Peculiarities of the evolution of military justice in NATO member states

The article highlights the specifics of the evolution of military justice of NATO member countries for the possible consideration of the experience of these countries in the course of restoring the military justice system in Ukraine, taking into account its aspirations for full membership in the North Atlantic Alliance.

Ukraine-NATO: Problems and Prospects of Partnership

The article contains an overview of the evolution of Ukraine-NATO relations from the beginning of our state’s independence to the present. The author made an attempt to identify and characterize the main periods of the formation of Ukraine-NATO relations, to identify the key problems of partnership development. It is noted that at the beginning of independence, Ukraine chose a neutral and non-aligned status, and then declared multi-vectorism as the basis of foreign security policy, which was a historically determined necessity in the transition period. At that time, Ukraine remained in the field of interests of Russia, which sought to restore its position in the post-Soviet space, and therefore did not have the opportunity to fully integrate into the Euro-Atlantic structures.
 Due to the difficult geopolitical situation, Ukraine was forced to maneuver between the East and the West in order to establish itself in the international field and take its place in the European security architecture. In the 1990s, Ukraine-NATO relations developed quite briskly, but not enough for Ukraine to become a NATO member. However, Ukraine managed to gain the status of a special partner, which subsequently contributed to the deepening of bilateral relations.
 In the 2000s, Ukraine-NATO relations first intensified, and after Yanukovych came to power, Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic integration was suspended. The situation changed after the Revolution of Dignity, when pro-European democratic forces came to power. Further policy is aimed at deepening Ukraine’s relations with the Alliance. Ukraine has finally decided on its course, but the necessary conditions must be met for successful integration. Also, for its part, NATO should conduct a more targeted policy regardless of Russia, which is not as strong as it has created an image of itself through propaganda. Ukraine receives the undisputed support of the Alliance, but, unfortunately, this is not enough to end the war and restore territorial integrity. Ukraine’s accession to NATO would guarantee Ukraine’s security on the one hand, and strengthen the Alliance’s values on the other. Therefore, NATO needs more determination in Ukraine’s accession to the Alliance.

The Discussion of the Tendences and Evolution of the European Security Issues in the British Parliament (1990-2010)

The article is devoted to the discussion of European security issues in the British Parliament in the post-bipolar period. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the British establishment had to revise the foreign policy doctrine of the United Kingdom to adapt it to the demands of the post-bipolar age. During this period, parliamentarians discussed the future role of NATO after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact. The political establishment has continued to define NATO as the foundation of the Euroatlantic system of collective security. After the direct military threat from the USSR vanished, the British elites had difficulties formulating the strategic goal of the North Atlantic alliance's existence. Another important topic was the creation of the European Union, its future enlargement in Central-Eastern Europe, and the search for the best approach to British European policy under new circumstances. There was an agreement that the idea of the “Europe of Nations” was best suited to British national interests. The British government also deterred attempts by France and Germany to transform the European Union into a federal superstate. The Balkan crisis also became a central topic that caused heated debates in Parliament in an attempt to find a path to a peaceful settlement. In the case of military interventions in local conflicts, the British establishment tried to evade direct intervention in the Balkan crisis but was forced to reconsider its position under growing pressure from allies, who began to experience economic and reputational damage. The humanitarian intervention in Kosovo created a precedent that was used to justify interventions in Afghanistan and Iraq. Additionally, the conflicts in Nagorno-Karabakh and Georgia were also discussed.

NATO and the global colour line

Abstract This article explores the role of NATO in the upkeep of what W. E. B. Du Bois termed the global ‘colour line’—namely a racialized division of the world. Formally, the organization views itself as a defensive alliance, focused on safeguarding the freedom and security of its member states. However, building on works that reveal the racialized founding and workings of international relations, I argue that this seemingly defensive aspiration is premised on an antagonistic, racialized conception of the global order that is tantamount to what Du Bois conceived as the ‘colour line’. For one thing, it is premised on the metropolitan notion that values such as freedom, security, stability, human rights, democracy and rule of law are endogenous to transatlantic alliance and, by extension, the global North. Furthermore, by positioning itself as a line of defence against threats to these values also presumes that such ‘good values’ are lacking beyond the geographical limits of this alliance. Empirically, this article will focus on NATO's policy engagement in the Middle East and its strategic concerns with ‘threats’ of terrorism, conflict, fragility and instability emanating from the region that undermine the freedom and security of the NATO states.

Prestige, Humiliation And Saving Face: National Identity and Great Power Politics

Abstract This paper argues that a prestige-humiliation dynamic is a systems-level force that shapes state behavior. Connecting psychological factors to structural realism, we observe the following: the more powerful a state becomes, the more it could seek to overturn past humiliation through aggressive prestige-seeking acts. This is done to reassert its power and status to erase past humiliation and achieve prestige even at the expense of others. Three historical examples will be discussed: Nazi Germany’s erasure of the Treaty of Versailles, China’s Century of Humiliation, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s expansion into Eastern Europe against Russia. The paper will then define face-saving behavior, allowing a competitor to preserve prestige and avoid humiliation as a way to deescalate tension.

NATO@75 – The Future of the Atlantic Alliance in Tumultuous Times

Abstract This article takes an in-depth look at the Atlantic Alliance as it is approaching its 75th anniversary. It analyses the prevalent strategic environment in which NATO operates, with its multiple risks and rivalries; and addresses the main elements on its agenda as it manages the numerous challenges to Euro-Atlantic security and defence of today and tomorrow. To this end, it offers insights into NATO’s main efforts in such areas as deterrence and defence, Ukraine, partnership, enlargement, transatlantic relations, resilience, upholding and protecting the international rules-based order, emerging and disruptive technologies, and climate change and security. .

The Wagner Group in Africa. The sham battle of Russian mercenaries against terrorism

In recent years, the Wagner Group has significantly increased its presence in several African countries. Russian mercenaries have become involved in many conflicts in an effort to expand their influence. One of their main tasks was to fight against terrorism. The analyses carried out, in which the author used qualitative methods and sources relating to the theoretical and practical dimensions of the issue at hand, indicate that the Wagnerists have been posing as their operations in order to maintain military presence on the African continent. Intensifying the Wagner Group’s presence is a long-term strategy of the Kremlin, which pursues interests along two tracks – benefiting from cooperation at the state level and engaging mercenaries. Countries of the wider West (members of the North Atlantic Alliance and the European Union) are also seeking to develop cooperation with African partners. Terrorist organisations also intend to fight for influence on the continent. In this regard, it is necessary to constantly monitor Russia’s proactive foreign policy aimed at the rivalry as it affects the presence of Poland and its allies in Africa.

Norway, deterrence, reassurance and strategic stability in Europe

ABSTRACT The Russian invasion of Ukraine has placed stability in Europe under severe strain. This special issue explores Norway’s policy of balancing deterrence and reassurance of Moscow and the deterrent interaction between NATO and Russia to produce insights into how NATO states can craft a more stable Europe. It emphasizes how new technologies and capabilities reshape the landscape of strategic stability. Although the prospects for a more stable European continent seem dim with Moscow as an unwilling partner, calibrating deterrence and reassurance has proven adaptable and will likely remain important in Norway’s and potentially NATO’s future efforts to mitigate the security dilemma.

CONSIDERATIONS CONCERNING THE PEOCESS OF OPERATIONALIZATION WITH AERONAUTICAL PERSONNEL OF THE FIRST AVIATION STRUCTURE EQUIPPED WITH MULTIROLE AIRCRAFT

Romania's membership to the North Atlantic Alliance, the need to ensure interoperability with the aeronautical combat systems of the partners, the reality of equipping the Romanian Air Force with east technology , which could no longer carry out the planned peace service enforcement missions and air defense to crisis and war, imposed on the responsible factors the decision of purchasing the first aviation structure endowed with multirole aircraft. The process was also amplified by the evolutions that took place at the eastern border of NATO, including the borders of Romania, especially after the annexation, in 2014, of the Crimean Peninsula by the Russian Federation. Of absolute complexity and novelty, the acquisition, the training of the aeronautical personnel for the operation of new combat equipment and related activities have imposed on the structures and personnel involved in this process responsibility, innovation, devotion, the first and most important and consistent program of endowment of the Romanian Army being a recognized success of the Romanian Air Force and inspirational, for the subsequent acquisition programs of the national defense.

The ambivalence of the implementation of the US arctic policy: integrating and disintegration factors of the allies

The Arctic region is gaining increasing strategic importance due to its economic potential, resource richness, and shifting geopolitical landscape. The United States has recognized this significance and has established alliances and partnerships with various countries in the region to enhance its positions and interests. However, concerns exist regarding the limited understanding of the complex dynamics and evolving relationships among the US Arctic allies. The lack of comprehensive analysis and up-to-date information hinders the understanding of their strategic documents, military exercises, and interactions with global players like China and Russia. To address these concerns, our objective was to identify, analyze, and assess the factors that strengthen or weaken the interaction between US allies and partners in the Arctic region. We conducted an analysis of national Arctic strategies, reports, publications, and expert opinions from Western Arctic Council countries such as the USA, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Finland. We also examined the reports and structures of the US defense services, interstate organizations like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD), as well as insights from leading experts on Arctic affairs in allied countries. The study revealed several factors that contribute to the strengthening of the US allies in the Arctic. These include active military cooperation within the North Atlantic Alliance, joint exercises, intelligence sharing, and the development of Arctic infrastructure to enhance regional security and defense capabilities. However, we also identified factors that weaken engagement among the US allies. These include differences in strategic goals, competing territorial claims, domestic political considerations, and varying relationships with other Arctic stakeholders like Russia and China. These factors can lead to tensions and challenges, which undermine collective action and impede the achievement of common goals.

NATO defense planning under new military and political conditions

An analysis of the military and political preconditions for the current transformation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is presented. The deterioration of relations between Russia and NATO member states, which accelerated with the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine accompanied by massive supplies of Western weapons systems to Kiev, launched the reconfiguring of the entire system of military and political decision-making and defense planning process in NATO. The alliance is returning to its original mission – countering the “Russian threat” (formerly Soviet), despite the fact that NATO is not declaratively a party to the armed conflict in Ukraine. NATO’s reaction and actions in connection with the Ukrainian crisis and the start of the Special Military Operation (SMO), including the plans of the alliance’s leadership for the future, are analyzed. The simplification of a number of procedures and requirements in the defense planning system of the organization in the short and medium term are noted. The full cycle of NATO defense planning is examined in detail and schematically presented, and a forecast of its further evolution is given.

Mechanisms of threat: How Finland and Sweden abandoned non-alignment

Finland and Sweden are two countries with long histories of military non-alignment. In 2022, after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, both countries swiftly decided to apply for membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Why and how does such a drastic policy change come about? In this paper, I assess realist theory of threat and show that despite their apparent similarity, the reactions of the Nordic nonaligned to the Russian aggression differed significantly. Finland immediately sought protection from NATO, while Sweden attempted to continue non-alignment. Ultimately, the two countries reached the same alignment conclusion through different causal mechanisms.

The market reaction of real estate companies to the announcement of the Russian–Ukrainian invasion

PurposeThis study aims to investigate the market reaction in the real estate market to the announcement of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.Design/methodology/approachThis study uses the event study method to assess the market reaction to the announcement that Russia is invading Ukraine. The sample in this study comprises 2,325 companies in the real estate market. We also conduct a cross-sectional analysis to determine the influence of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members and company characteristics on market reactions during the invasion.FindingsThe global market reacts significantly negative toward Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This indicates that the war poses a high geopolitical risk that prompts financial markets down. The authors also demonstrate that emerging and frontier markets react significantly negative to the invasion before and after its announcement. Meanwhile, developed markets tend to react only before the invasion is announced. Furthermore, we find that the NATO members react more strongly than other markets.Social implicationsThis result implies that war prompts investors to flee from the stock exchange, while the deeper the country’s involvement, the more investors worry about the risks.Originality/valueThis study is the first to discuss the market reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukrainian, specifically in the real estate market.

Strategic Communications in the Global Security Environment: StratCom’s Shift of the Balance of Power

The public-facing aspect of national defence communications is a lesser understood organizational function of militaries around the world. Though conventional propaganda and diplomacy efforts date back centuries, the modern approach to military Strategic Communications (StratCom) is a murky, fast-evolving discipline that is not well understood by the public. As such, the topic bears further examination due to its vital importance in achieving defensive and strategic military objectives. Through defining StratCom’s function and the contexts that led to its inception, this paper gives an overview of how StratCom has been useful for the U.S. and its Western allies in their navigation of a tense, nuclearized global security environment. Thereafter, through examining the new ways these strategies are employed in our hyper-connected world, this paper demonstrates that the West’s adversaries have leveraged StratCom to tip the scales of hard power in the contemporary hybrid war environment.

Tendencies of Contemporary European National Communities’ Development in Context of Fourth Industrial Revolution and Globalization Processes

The article is dedicated to the issue of the development of national communities in Europe in the context of the influence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and globalization, which mutually influence each other. The impact of these phenomena on the national communities of unified Europe has diverse consequences. In the context of globalization closely linked to Industry 4.0, as well as the phenomena of antiglobalism and Euroscepticism as reactions to it, the trends in the development of national communities in modern European states are highlighted. In Western European countries, the predominant process observed is the fragmentation of national communities. In Central and Eastern European countries that were under the influence of the USSR and became members of the EU and NATO at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, the reaction to globalization and Euro integration processes resulted in the rise of Eurosceptic and anti-globalist nationalism. In Ukraine, facing aggression from Russia and considering EU and NATO countries as allies, insufficient integration into the processes of globalization and the Fourth Industrial Revolution leads to predominantly Euro-optimistic tendencies in the trends toward national revival, without fostering skepticism towards globalization. It is demonstrated that the Fourth Industrial Revolution and globalization, mutually influencing each other, create conditions for weakening the role of national states both on the international stage and in the sphere of domestic political development. Social changes resulting from these processes have given rise to antiglobalism and Euroscepticism in EU countries, acting as corrective factors for globalization processes. Alongside regional separatism, political communities in Western Europe seeking separation remain within global and supranational structures. Desiring national revival through distancing from the past and integration with advanced countries of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, Ukraine maintains an open, inclusive character, supporting European and Euro-Atlantic integration.

The Stabilizing Role of Shanghai Cooperation Organization in Afghanistan

Terrorism is one of the main reasons contributing to Afghanistan's insecurity. The fragile peace in Afghanistan has given terrorist groups much freedom to manoeuvre and grow. These situations require the countries in the region to assume greater responsibility to stabilise the country. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member states and Afghanistan relations are based on historical friendship and shared interests. The SCO's involvement in Afghanistan is facilitated by the common interests of Pakistan, China, Russia, and other neighbouring countries. The withdrawal of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) from Afghanistan gave the SCO more room to advance in Afghanistan. This article highlights the concrete steps that the SCO has taken to stabilise Afghanistan, as well as the interests of member countries and their peace efforts. In this study, the theories of the Regional Security Complex Theory and Liberal Institutionalism were used. The current economic crisis and political disruption following NATO's withdrawal from Afghanistan highlight the role of the SCO in the situation. Collaboration to boost Afghanistan's economy and growth would be beneficial. Reconstruction, development, governance, and humanitarian assistance are not only the responsibility of the countries in the region but also of the international community and organizations. The economic crisis and the rapid international recognition of the Taliban pose great challenges to the SCO.

Examining Post-Cold War Geopolitical Transformations in Central and Eastern Europe: The Baltic States’ Path to EU and NATO Membership and the Evolving Dynamics of Relations with Russia

This article provides a detailed exploration of the geopolitical transformations in the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—following the Cold War, focusing on their journey towards the European Union (EU) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership, and the evolving dynamics of their relations with Russia. It examines the historical backdrop of their accession, the processes involved, and the impacts on these states, including their interactions with Russia from initial tensions to diplomatic engagements. This study underscores the significance of EU and NATO integration for regional stability and delves into the complexities of the Baltic states’ post-Cold War relations with Russia, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by these states in establishing their independence and security in the contemporary geopolitical landscape.

Międzynarodowy wymiar polskiego ratownictwa

International dimension of Polish rescue The article presents international security structures within the framework of which it is possible to dispose of Polish rescue resources outside Poland. The authors focused mainly on three major international organizations, where appropriate structures, mechanisms or groups have been created for this purpose, i.e. – the European Union (EU), the United Nations (UN), the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). These organizations also have their own coordination centers operating on a 24-hour basis, which makes these activities coordinated and supervised. This article also presents the legal basis on which the above-mentioned structures are established. In addition, examples are presented of rescue fields in the area of which the created rescue entities function according to specific schemes, determined by international conventions, guidelines, etc., referring here mainly to marine and air rescue.