Joel Linnainmäki is a geopolitical analyst and researcher at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs. He has extensive experience in the Finnish Parliament, having served as a press attaché for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and both a parliamentary assistant and later special advisor to former Minister of Foreign Affairs Pekka Haavisto. In his advisory role, Joel was responsible for foreign and security policy as well as ministry budget and personnel. He also has held several youth advocacy positions, including Finnish youth delegate to the UN General Assembly, project coordinator for Suomen Lukiolaisten Liitto (the Finnish secondary school student union), and specialist at the National Youth Council. In these roles, he worked to connect Finnish youth with young asylum seekers and supported youth activities and democracy. With all his expertise, Joel now writes policy analyses and recommendations focused on Northern European security, geoeconomics, and NATO strategy and often appears on Finnish and international media outlets to share his valuable insights.