Developing Alliances Through Regional Defense Environmental Cooperation: Building on Successes on the Baltic Sea Region

Abstract

The Baltic Sea region defense environmental cooperation is a model for United States support to other regions of the world. The U.S. can assist countries by addressing their regional environmental and security issues for a very small investment. In return, the US has the opportunity to build new security alliances, improve international perceptions of the US and increase training and readiness options. Water is a common resource and border in the Baltic and many other regions of the world. Countries sharing water resources understand their interdependence. Military impact on the environment is a significant concern within this context. Counties of the Baltic Sea region, together with Georgia, Romania, the United Kingdom and the US have developed a Baltic Sea Region defense environmental cooperation organization, "BALTDEC" (also known as the "Riga Initiative"). BALTDEC promotes defense environmental cooperation in the region with the overall goal of sustainable use and development, without hindering military readiness. As in other regions of the world, countries with limited cooperation on other issues have been willing to interact on defense environmental issues. BALTDEC meets the need for sharing experiences, resources and expertise in the Baltic Sea region on defense environmental issues. Environmental assistance is almost universally appreciated and viewed positively by the public. The US has learned many environmental lessons that can potentially be shared with other countries through training and other environmental assistance. Despite successful progress, there are many more training needs and opportunities on a wide range of topics in the Baltic and other regions. The US can offer significant help that can yield new cooperation and alliances. The regional cooperation nurtured by defense environmental programs can contribute to regional stability and US national interests.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 2005
Accession Number
ADA541339

Entities

People

  • James B. Pocock
  • Kathleen M. Smits

Organizations

  • United States Air Force Academy

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Alliances
  • Baltic Sea
  • Black Sea
  • Cooperation
  • Department Of Defense
  • Drainage Basins
  • Environment
  • Environmental Protection
  • Environmental Security
  • Geographic Information Systems
  • Governments
  • International Relations
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • Training
  • Water Resources

Readers

  • Economics
  • International Relations and European Studies