Recent events in the Ukraine and the resurgence of Russia’s assertiveness towards the West have raised concerns regarding the security of the Baltic states. Historically, the region has been a battleground for many nations fighting to influence it, or a battlespace during wars among empires. The strong historical footprint has marked its influence on the overall fate of the three Baltic states and continues to affect the whole region which is located in a geo-strategically important part of Europe.

The aim of the conference is to examine the military-political aspects of the Baltic region from a historical perspective, and to focus on the manner in which the region has constituted a significant theatre in the centuries’ old rivalry between Russia and the other European powers. The conference will focus on exploring how lessons from the past can offer a guideline to develop a viable defence policy for the wider Baltic region. The College therefore invites academics and researchers to contribute to the event in order to enhance the current understanding of the region within the regional and international contexts. The exchange of ideas will improve our perception of military history in a broader framework and will also provide an opportunity to discuss this during the follow-on panel sessions.

The organisers are open to ideas and recommendations coming from people who are interested in the areas of study within the theme of the conference. Papers are welcome on one or more of the following themes related to the military history of the wider Baltic region:

-   Regional defence and security

-   The wider Baltic region as a focus of Great Power rivalry

-   Relations between the Baltic states and Europe

-   Foreign occupations

-   Leadership and command

-   Development of military institutions

-   Cooperation between the Baltic states

-   Intelligence and counter-intelligence

-   Economic and trade security

-   Civil-military relations

-   Regional and national identities

-   War and historical memory

You are invited to send your paper abstract to Douglas.Ford@baltdefcol.org and zdzislaw.sliwa@baltdefcol.org.

Abstracts should be no longer than 300 words, and should be accompanied by a one-page CV.

Conference Venue:  Baltic Defence College, Riia 12, 51013 Tartu, Estonia

----------------------------------

Contact:

Dr. Douglas Ford

Lecturer, Military History and Strat. Planning

Baltic Defence College

372 717 6012

douglas.ford@baltdefcol.org