International experts assess the components of the Baltic security puzzle by placing the security and political interests of the states of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania within the historical, economic, and political narratives of the greater Baltic region. They first reevaluate Baltic history as a progression of conflict, partial integration, Cold War division, up to todays efforts to build a security community. Next, they focus on economic and social relations by contrasting patterns of democratization, domestic politics, EU membership, and the economics of crime. Lastly, they analyze military security and evolving regional perceptions of threats as well as the dynamics of alliance behavior and the recent geostrategic clashes unearthed by Russias behavior in Ukraine.

The essays in The Baltic Security Puzzle, contributed by respected international experts, assess the components of this Baltic security puzzle. They place the security and political interests of the three Baltic States of Latvia, Estonia, and Lithuania within the historical, economic, and political narratives of the greater Baltic region. The book first reevaluates Baltic history as a progression of conflict, partial integration, Cold War division, up to today¿s efforts to build a security community. It then focuses on economic and social relations by contrasting patterns of democratization, domestic politics, EU membership, and the economics of crime (including transnational crime and human trafficking). Lastly, it analyzes military security and evolving regional perceptions of threats as well as the dynamics of alliance behavior and the recent geostrategic clashes unearthed by Russia¿s behavior in Ukraine.

Introduction: The Balticum in Comparative and International Perspective
Mary Hampton and M. Donald Hancock

PART I: Historical Context
Chapter 1: Waves of Conflict, Cooperation, and Tension in the Baltic Region
M. Donald Hancock

PART II: Economics and Society
Chapter 2:The Baltics and the Political Economy of Regional Integration
Mark Duckenfield

Chapter 3: Parties, Party Systems and Patterns of Governance
M. Donald Hancock, with assistance from Dietmar Herz

Chapter 4: Political Culture in the Baltic Region
Ursula Hoffmann-Lange

Chapter 5: Understanding European Security Integration: Fighting Criminal Interventions in the Baltic States
Ramon Loik with assistance from Robert Smith

PART III: Military Security
Chapter 6: Russia and the Baltics
Roland Freudenstein

Chapter 7: Unfinished Business: NATO Enlargement in the Baltic Sea Region
Mary Hampton

Chapter 8: The Future of Neutrality for Finland and Sweden
Mika Kertunnen

Chapter 9: Redefining the Struggle: Why the Baltics are Important to the Development of Strategic Thought Regarding Cyber Power
Rick Bailey

Chapter 10: The Special Case of Kaliningrad: Borderland Behavior and Identity
Robert Smith and Adam Nelson

Conclusion: Reflections on Politics, Policies, and Governance in the Baltic Sea Region and Beyond
M. Donald Hancock and Mary Hampton