The baltic–black sea region in great powers’ relations: The hard power aspect

Abstract

The key research question of the chapter is how the confrontation between Russia and the USA affects arms control race in the Baltic–Black Sea region (BBSR). The paper hypothesizes that the region is a hotbed of clashes between NATO and Russia and the main source of a potential conflict between them. The range of issues discussed by the authors includes Russian coercive strategy and the attempts of NATO allies to confront it. In particular, this confrontation has three dimensions: Russia’s potential conventional aggression against the Baltic–Black Sea region, the deployment of European Missile Defense, and the death of the INF Treaty. The latter turns the hard power element into the key issue of NATO–Russia relations.