The maritime security of the Baltic Approaches
Subtitle: NATO and the Warsaw Pact
By: Jan Cody Gaudio
Published: 1983
Language: eng
Number of pages: 179
Subjects: North Atlantic Treaty Organization; Strategic aspects; Warsaw Treaty Organization
Description: This research provides an analysis of the current maritime security threat to the Baltic Approaches posed by Warsaw Pact military expansion. Nordic regional security is discussed in order to determine the importance of the region from both the Warsaw Pact and NATO perspective. The role of Finnish and Swedish neutrality as well as the roles of NATO and Warsaw Pact allies are examined in terms of capability, resolve and national interests. Denmark, as the geographic key to the Baltic, is discussed in particular depth. As Soviet pressures have increased in Danish territorial waters and airspace, Denmark's support for NATO has been questioned. The contribution of the Federal Republic of Germany, militarily NATO's strongest Baltic ally, is also reviewed. The regional balance in the Baltic has moved in favor of the Soviet led Warsaw Pact. However, Soviet political and military pressure has been relatively ineffective and even counterproductive to date. Both Denmark and the FRG remain firmly entrenched in NATO. Neutral Sweden has become even more firmly committed to defend Swedish territory from Warsaw Pact encroachments. Possible options are explored to enable NATO to shift the regional balance in the direction of stable deterrence and provide renewed security to the Baltic Sea and its approaches. (Author)
Notes: Thesis (M.A. in National Security Affairs)--Naval Postgraduate School, 1983.

Includes bibliographical references.

Record updated 05/11/05.  PA