The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) will host the 9th annual Baltic Advocacy Days in Washington, D.C., from March 16 – 18, 2026. During Advocacy Days, Baltic Americans and friends of the Baltics meet with their congressional offices to support strengthening the U.S.–Baltic security relationship and curbing Russian aggression.Continue Reading
The Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC) welcomes the bipartisan passage of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in the U.S. House of Representatives on December 10. This year’s NDAA reinforces the “peace through strength” mantra that has sustained the trans-Atlantic security relationship since NATO’s inception. By authorizing European securityContinue Reading
Delivered on behalf of the Joint Baltic American National Committee (JBANC)by Mārtiņš Andersons, President of the American Latvian Association (ALA) and JBANC Board Member Mister President, honorable members of the Baltic Assembly and the Baltic Council, dear friends, It is an honor to be with you today, on behalf ofContinue Reading
By Markuss Kozlinskis Last week, the Baltic States received alarming reports from Washington, DC, with outlets like The Financial Times and The Washington Post stating that the Trump administration intends to halt long-time security assistance programs for Europe. Among the potentially suspended programs is also the Baltic Security Initiative (BSI)Continue Reading
By Markuss Kozlinskis and Lee Allen Summit in Alaska: A Red Carpet for Putin The red carpet extended from the runway to the podium with F-22 Raptors flanking on either side. Air Force One was parked on the tarmac of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson with the beautiful Chugach Mountains visible inContinue Reading
Twenty-two members of the U.S. House of Representatives have joined the House Baltic Caucus up through July 31, 2025.
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Russia’s Shadow Fleet in the Baltic Sea (By Anna Maria Flausino/JBANC) It was not a merry Christmas for Estonian and Finnish government officials when, on December 25, 2024, the Estlink-2 power cable, which transmits energy from Finland to Estonia across the Baltic Sea, went down. The culprit of this particularContinue Reading
(By Alo Kuusik/JBANC) The Origins of a Principle In 1932, faced with Japan’s invasion of Manchuria, U.S. Secretary of State Henry Stimson articulated a clear stance that the United States would not recognize territorial changes achieved through force. This position, soon known as the Stimson Doctrine, set out to counterContinue Reading
(By Alo Kuusik/JBANC) Introduction: A Summit of High Stakes The 2025 NATO Summit in The Hague was the first major meeting of the Alliance since President Donald Trump returned to office, drawing heightened attention across Europe and North America, including in Baltic and Ukrainian communities abroad. This gathering came atContinue Reading
(Markuss Kozlinskis/JBANC) — On June 3, Latvia won election to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), securing a non-permanent seat for the 2026–2027 term. Latvia received 178 votes – well above the 129 needed for a two-thirds majority of the 193 UN members. This marks Latvia’s first time on theContinue Reading
