Baltic Sea

The Baltic Electricity Grid: Synchronizing Symphony

The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania have an enduring connection to their occupation by the Soviet Union — they are all still on the Soviet-era power grid, controlled today by Moscow. The project to decouple the power...

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LGBTQ+ Rights in the Baltic Region

Indra Ekmanis: Hello, and welcome to Baltic Ways, a podcast bringing you interviews and insights from the world of Baltic studies. I’m your host Indra Ekmanis. Aro Velmet is an associate professor of history at the University of Southern...

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Latvia and Africa: An Untrodden Road

Relations between Latvia and African countries have generally been rather distant. They are far apart in geographic terms. There is no sizeable community of Africans in Latvia or Latvian communities in Africa. Economic and political cooperation has been sporadic...

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Do Baltic Russian Speakers Blame Russia for the War in Ukraine?

The Baltic states are among the most ardent supporters of Ukraine in the war against Russia. It is widely understood that Ukraine is fighting not only for its survival and the right to determine its path forward, but also...

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The Baltic (R)evolution in Military Affairs

During the past 20 years of their NATO membership, the Baltic states achieved a multi-faceted transformation in their strategic posture establishment, military capability development, and level of interdependence with their NATO allies. Once inexperienced newcomers, the so-called “one-issue” countries...

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The First Year of Conscription in Latvia

In July 2023, the first Latvians started their 11-month State Defense Service, as the recently reinstated conscription is called. The first year of conscription has gone smoothly. There have been no severe mishaps or scandals, and public support has...

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The Baltic States Mark Two Decades of NATO Membership

Indra Ekmanis: Hello, and welcome to Baltic Ways, a podcast bringing you interviews and insights from the world of Baltic studies. I’m your host, Dr. Indra Ekmanis. And today we speak with Dr. Lucas Milevski, a tenured assistant professor...

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Without Tallinn, What Would the Future Hold for Estonia’s Center Party?

On March 26, a majority in the Tallinn City Council declared no confidence in its elected mayor, Mihhail Kõlvart, who has governed since 2019. His replacement by Acting Mayor Madle Lippus (Social Democratic Party) marks the end of almost...

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Women’s Work: History of Women in Academia at the University of Tartu

Indra Ekmanis: Welcome to Baltic Ways, a podcast bringing you interviews and insights from the world of Baltic studies. I’m your host, Dr. Indra Ekmanis. Today, we listen to a conversation with Dr. Janet Laidla, lecturer in Estonian history...

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NATO Needs to Get Serious at Seventy-Five

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently arrived in Washington seeking to persuade the White House and Congress to successfully negotiate legislation that would free up $60 billion to help Ukraine defend itself against Russian forces.  He delivered his remarks...

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