Perspectives on Security and Strategic Stability

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As the United States and NATO allies expand their presence along the alliance’s eastern flank in response to increased Russian aggression, it has become increasingly important to engage in a dialogue with representatives from the Baltic States and Poland to better understand their perceptions of regional security and the impact of U.S. and NATO assurance efforts. To that end, CSIS conducted a Track 2 dialogue in 2016 with civil society leaders, security experts, academics, and government representatives across the Baltic States, Poland, and the United States. This report presents key observations from this dialogue, including (1) regional perspectives on threats and vulnerabilities, (2) views on the U.S. and NATO roles in conventional deterrence in Eastern Europe, (3) regional approaches to internal defense and security, (4) the nuclear dimension on the eastern flank, and (5) future challenges to transatlantic cohesion.