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<p>Russia’s demonstrated ability and willingness to use subversive instruments such as nuclear messaging, cyber attacks, clandestine operations, coercive political and economic influence, proxies and information operations to pursue its national interests has the potential to fundamentally destabilize Europe and the international community at large. This study argues that Special Operation Forces (SOF), which conduct missions and activities that shape conflict and pre-crisis environments, are among the greatest assets to U.S. national interests and those of its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies in the effort to deter Russian aggression in the Baltic states. This study outlines the current strategies of the Baltic states to deter Russian aggression and examines U.S. and NATO deterrence strategies outlined in the U.S. National Security Strategy and National Defense Strategy.  Analyzing and evaluating the utility of SOF core tasks and activities reveals that building partner capacity both strengthens U.S. allies to defend against and deter aggression and reinforces U.S. assurance globally.
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<br>Subjects: Russian gray zone activities; cyber attacks; clandestine operations; coercive political and economic influence; proxies and information operations; hybrid warfare; nuclear weapons; deterrence and assurance; Special Operations Forces; SOF Core Tasks; Direct Action; Unconventional Warfare; Foreign Internal Defense; Security Force Assistance; building partner capacity</div>
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Fagins, Jonathan N.</div>
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