1. International security
1. 1. Global trends
Rules-based international order, which emerged after the World War II and became universally accepted after the Cold War, is going
through changes. Although conventions and
international treaties are still in force and legally binding, and security institutions and instruments still work, some countries choose to
blatantly ignore international obligations and
sovereignty, territorial integrity of other states.
Current trends affecting the international order are driven by politics of force and rivalry,
which creates even further uncertainty about
international security in future. Diversity of
security challenges, including technological
developments, terrorism, climate change and
pandemic, is a serious concern for global security in a polycentric world.
Global networks are fragmented and we see
increasing attempts to act unilaterally, to use
blunt force to resolve disputes, in cases when
multilateral dialogue should be set up. If ignored, such policies may escalate the risk of aggression and conflicts. Given the geopolitical
environment around Latvia, the importance of
strengthening national defence capabilities and
closer cooperation with NATO will only increase under such scenario.
2
Military presence of allied NATO countries
in the region and their direct support is an important factor in Latvia’s security. On the other hand, different dynamics between allies
may also influence our national security. The
United States of America (USA) has changed
its political stance on how to maintain global
order. Its expectations to see other partners making equal contribution to collective defence
are reasonable. Although European countries
have made notable progress in recent years, insufficient military spending still hampers their
ability to adequately respond to military threats in Europe and other regions of the world.
European countries still rely heavily on the US
military resources both in collective defence
and international missions.
Fourth industrial revolution has given us new
technologies that will have a profound effect
on state defence and social structure. New
technologies, more powerful social media and
our increasing dependence on gadgets is already affecting the way we consume information, exposing new vulnerabilities and giving
rise to new ways to manipulate us. Such processes pose greater danger for democracies,
while authoritarian regimes with their firm grip
on social media and internet, as well as use of
new technologies to control and persecute their
people, will find that welcoming.
Terrorist groups and organisations continue to
interfere with domestic policies and internatio-