Maritime Security and Sea Power: A Finnish-Swedish Perspective on the Baltic Sea Region

Recent European and U.S. maritime security strategies are characterised by addressing the multidimensional threats to the maritime domain that result from states' increased dependency on seaborne trade and maritime resource exploitation. Stefan Lundqvist notes, however, that in the Baltic Sea – as in the Asia-Pacific region – there is a continuing need for navies. This is due to certain regional powers pursuing strategies that include the wielding of sea power in ways that violate international law, heightens the risk of accidents and threatens international security. Given the hybrid character of the threats, he recommends that states in the region opt for a co-operative and comprehensive regional approach to maritime security – like that of the U.S. in the Asia-Pacific region.