Danish Perspective on Baltic Security

This study examines Danish security policy since the end of the Cold War and offers insight into short-term perspectives on the future of that policy. Before 1990, Denmark pursued a relatively low-profile security policy, but that policy has since changed to one of "active internationalism." This term captures the essence of Denmark's recent change to a more active and initiative oriented approach to security issues. To demonstrate the full scope of this drastic change, current Danish policy is compared with Cold War policy. Building on this comparison, this thesis explores the possibilities, opportunities, and limitations inherent in the Danish situation, with special attention devoted to the evolving relationship between policy and the geopolitical environment of the Baltic Region. Finally, the analysis extends to the future (three to five years) of Denmark's security policy. This thesis concludes that Danish security policy has changed immensely since the end of the Cold War, from one of passive acquiescence to what has been termed "active internationalism" characterized by greater dynamism and ambition. Further, this study argues that, while Denmark has taken a leading role in subregional security matters, there are no overarching leadership pretensions. The study also emphasizes that Denmark's freedom of action is limited primarily by the agendas of the Baltic states and Swedish initiatives. Further, this thesis suggests that Russian-Danish relations will enjoy improvement and that Danish assistance to the Baltic states over the short term will undergo a change in substance.