U.S. think-tank offers Baltic defense thoughts

Take note – story published 5 years ago

U.S. defense think-tank the Rand Corporation has produced a new report titled Deterring Russian Aggression in the Baltic States.

The report says: "These three countries are vulnerable to low-level, hybrid, and full-scale attacks by Russian special operations and regular military forces deployed close to their borders" and that there is an "imbalance between Russian and NATO conventional forces deployed in the Baltic region."

It then posits various acronym-heavy remedies, many involving the concept of TD/UW (Total Defense/Unconventional Warfare) and the creation of weapons stockpiles along with the formation of "high end violent action squads", "low end violent action squads", and "nonviolent action cells" among to participate in various "tactical vignettes".

"TD and UW capabilities have the potential to delay and disrupt Russian military aggression against the Baltic states, and to make occupation of a Baltic state very costly to the invading forces, thereby enhancing deterrence. These techniques and forces could also support a NATO liberation campaign and ease the transition to a sustainable peace after the end of military operations by supporting stabilization, demobilization, and reconstruction activities," the report concludes.

The whole thing is available to read online.

RAND Corporation research is sponsored by U.S. government agencies; U.S. state and local governments; non-U.S. governments, agencies, and ministries; international organizations; colleges and universities; foundations; professional associations; other nonprofit organizations and industry. In 2018 RAND had revenues of 345 million dollars. Its research was also famously lampooned in the classic film Dr. Strangelove when an apocalyptic report from The Bland Corporation is discussed.

Seen a mistake?

Select text and press Ctrl+Enter to send a suggested correction to the editor

Select text and press Report a mistake to send a suggested correction to the editor

Related articles

More

Most important