The Future of NATO with Leon Panetta and Expert Panel

Summary An expert panel of world leaders gathered at the International Spy Museum to discuss the importance of NATO today and in the future. Panelists included former Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta, Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, among others. What You’ll Learn

Intelligence

Threats facing Baltic countries, including Russia

The importance of NATO support for Ukraine

Maintaining stability during political turmoil

NATO’s growth and where it still needs to evolve in the 21st century

Reflections

The power of global partnerships

The impact of honest leadership

And much, much more …

Quotes of the Week “In the old days, NATO was kind of a place where everybody did their talking points and then left. But for the first time in a very long time, NATO is more than just a forum. It is a security alliance that is very important to protecting world peace.” – Leon Panetta.

Resources SURFACE SKIM *SpyCasts*

Zelensky, Ukraine & Intelligence with Simon Shuster (2024)

CIA Director, Defense Secretary, Gentleman with Leon Panetta (2024)

Ukraine & the Alliance with NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence David Cattler (2023)

NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Intelligence & Security with David Cattler (2022)

*Beginner Resources*

Why are the Baltic states strategically important for NATO? A. Sytas, Reuters (2023) [Short article]

Ukraine conflict: Simple visual guide to the Russian invasion, BBC (2022) [Short article]

The Formation of NATO and the Warsaw Pact | History, YouTube (2017) [3 min. video]

DEEPER DIVE Primary Sources

Statement by the North Atlantic Council on recent Russian hybrid activities (2024)

Joint letter to DoD for Urgent Ukraine Aid (2024)

Address by the President to Ukrainians at the end of the first day of Russia's attacks (2022)

Statement by the North Atlantic Council on the situation at the Poland-Belarus border (2021)

Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the Accession of the Republic of Estonia (2003)

Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the accession of the Republic of Latvia (2003)

Protocol to the North Atlantic Treaty on the accession of the Republic of Lithuania (2003)

The North Atlantic Treaty (1949)

*Wildcard Resource*

Our international panelists in this week’s episode hail from the beautiful countries of Latvia, Estonia, and Croatia. To learn more about the history and culture of these countries, take virtual tours of their national museums or libraries here:

Hrvatski povijesni muzej, Croatian History Museum

Latvijas Nacionālā bibliotēka, National Library of Latvia

Eesti Rahva Muuseum, Estonian National Museum

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices