Latvia Case Study

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Latvia is one of fifteen former Soviet states, also known as the former Soviet Union (FSU). The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) was dissolved on December 26, 1991. Latvia is also one of three Baltic States that restored their previous independence on the basis of state continuity; which defines the continuity of Baltic States as legal entities under international law. [1] “The Declaration “On the Restoration of Independence of the Republic of Latvia” was adopted on May 4, 1990. This Declaration declared that Latvia continued to be a sovereign country, as the annexation by the Soviet Union was unconstitutional and against the will of the people. Latvia restored the authority of the Constitution of 1922. [1]
Latvia is located in Europe and is bordered by the Baltic Sea, Russia, Estonia, Lithuania, and Belarus. Latvia is a democratic republic with multiple parties, with a President that serves as Head of State and a separate Prime Minister. The President’s service period or term, is usually four years, and eight years max. The President actually nominates the Prime Minister, but the Prime Minister gets his/her support from the majority of the Parliament (known as Saeima). Latvia has a multi-party system so that no one party has a chance of gaining total control. [2]
Latvia has a long history of being controlled by other countries and they struggled for many years for independence. It started with the Vikings, the German crusaders, Russia, Poland, Lithuania, and Sweden. By 1800, Russia had total control of Latvia. Germany and Russia then fought again for control, but finally in 1918 Latvia gained its independence. Even after gaining its independence, Latvia was under Russian control again until 1919 when they joined...

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...a soon become of interest to them as well. As Latvia has stated, even if Russia doesn’t send in their military, sending in provocateurs is just as dangerous.
Until the situation with Crimea is resolved, I don’t see the tension between Latvia and Russia going away. While Russia may not have officially announced any plans to annex Latvia, the likelihood of it happening is still there. As stated previously, Latvia’s location and access to the Baltic Sea make it a strategic gain for Russia. On the other hand, with so many world leaders and NATO making it known to Russia that what they have done to Crimea is not acceptable and is actually a violation of international law, they may not invade Latvia at all. The unknown is what scares Latvia, and until there is a resolution they will remain on high alert and work through the strained relationship as much as possible.

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