"This report examines the impact of renewed tension between NATO and Russia on a group of key allies and partners in central and northeastern Europe. It identifies how changes in the interests, security strategies, and defense capabilities of these countries may affect U.S. defense partnering in the region, with a specific focus on opportunities and implications for the U.S. Air Force. While both politics and resources will constrain partnership opportunities and the ability of these countries to contribute to U.S. regional defense objectives, opportunities for strengthening partnerships do exist in multiple areas"--Publisher's web site.

"Prepared for the United States Air Force." "The research reported here was commissioned by the Deputy Under Secretary of the Air Force for International Affairs and conducted within the Strategy and Doctrine Program of RAND Project AIR FORCE."--Publisher's Web site.

Introduction -- Part I. The Visegrad Four : Czech Republic : in Havel's shadow -- Hungary : balancing East and West -- Poland : a growing regional role -- Slovakia : moving West while hedging East ; Part II. The Baltic States : Estonia : committed partner with limited capabilities -- Latvia : acute vulnerability and limited capacity -- Lithuania : closing the gap between rhetoric and capabilities ; Part III. The Nordic partners : Finland : moving from self-reliance to solidarity -- Sweden : ever closer to NATO -- Conclusions.