nal affairs. Terrorist attacks in Europe, Middle East, Afghanistan, Northern Africa and Sahel region have intensified. The risk of terrorist organisations capitalising on the financial and political weaknesses of underdeveloped countries and imposing alternative, non-conventional forms of government has increased. Private military and security companies are deeply embedded in on-going military conflicts. De facto use of private military and security companies for achieving national interests, while denying any involvement with mercenaries, has become a pattern for some countries. These private entities are used as a tool for accessing services such as logistics, reconnaissance, military protection and training, which have traditionally been provided by government players. As private military and security companies acquire a greater role in future international interventions, the security risks associated with them increase and likelihood of them meddling within sovereign states’ internal affairs becomes more and more real. Global climate changes are already making some regions of the world uninhabitable, which leads to new conflicts and movement of people. New migration patterns have a direct and indirect impact on Europe’s security, as well. Pandemics, industrial accidents and natural disasters may have severe effects on Latvia and other socially and technologically highly developed allies. This could in turn affect the security situation in unexpected ways. . COVID19 pandemic clearly exposed the weaknesses of globalisation and global economic risks. Concentration of production of critical goods in particular countries may cause serious problems with regard to security of supply and shortage of critical goods on the market during a crisis. We can also see that some countries will stop at nothing to fulfil their geopolitical ambitions, including making use of the the pandemic. Global trends show that the balance of power has shifted and it is becoming increasingly difficult to maintain peace and stability with diplomatic and economic means. Allies in Europe and North America, and their military and technological advancements, are being challenged by other centres of power that are looking to extend their domination on international arena. Allied nations need to remain united and committed to collective defence, continue to build their own national defence capabilities, demonstrate solidarity and keep credible deterrence and defence posture. 1. 2. Regional trends Security situation in the Baltic Sea region has been influenced by Russia’s provocative and aggressive military and hybrid activities for a while. But it has become considerably worse since Russia’s aggression against Ukraine in 3