Researchers
NDAL Vice Rector of Science
Research interests: Security of Latvia and the Baltic States, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's deterrence strategy towards Russia in the Baltic States, national intentions, Latvian foreign and security policy, factors influencing the choice of military service model and changes in the balance of power in international politics.
Director
Research interests: comprehensive national defense, patriotism, strategic communication, Russian strategy and communication.
Lead Researcher
Research interests: Modern Russian theories of war, international political economy, economic impact on defense, geopolitics and security policy.
Lead Researcher
Research interests: The history of the Latvian army and defense system in the 1920s and 1930s, military-political events in the Baltic region during the 20th century and their impact, the general history of military science and warfare.
Lead Researcher
Research interests: Medical support, basic physical health, anthropometry, physical preparedness, and performance.
Researcher
Research interests: National identity and values, military ethics, application of Stoic philosophy in the 21st century.
Publications
Zupa, U., & Bērziņa, I. (2026). National strategic communication in a comprehensive national defense system: A case of Latvia. In V. Veebel & E. E. Armstrong (Eds.), Reconceptualizing total defense: Strategy and security in the Greater Baltic Sea Region (pp. 159–180). Cham: Springer.
Leitlande, G. (2026). National Identity as Ukraine’s Source of Societal Resolve: What Are the Main Takeaways for Latvia? In: Smaliukiene, R., Schultz, D., Giedraityte, V. (eds) Democratic Resilience in the Baltics, Vol. 2. Baltic Security and Defense. Springer, Cham.
Rostoks, Toms and Guna Gavrilko. Staying the Course: Latvia’s Choices between Conscription and an All-Volunteer Force. Defense & Security Analysis, 41(3), 441–463, 2025.
Goal
To ensure the development of security and defense policy as a science, and to raise awareness of these issues among the Latvian public.
Tasks
1. Researching defense and security policy issues and formulating policy recommendations.
2. Development of studies on various aspects of the development of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NAF).
3. Integration into an internationally recognized academic and scientific environment.
4. Raising awareness of the Latvian public on current security and defense issues through public events (seminars, discussions and conferences).
5. Creation and maintenance of a progressive, viable and dynamic academic environment at the National Defense Academy of Latvia (NDAL), thus ensuring the development of the NDAL and a favorable environment for the education process of the NAF officers.
Contacts
National Defense Academy of Latvia
Centre for Security Research and Innovation
Ezermalas Street 8B, Riga, Latvia, LV-1014
Phone: +371 67076881
Fax: +371 67076888