When a true friend turns away, the Baltics have no choice but to become a new Israel

The Baltic Times Magazine, the Baltics’ longest-running English-language print publication, published since 1992, is moving forward with its improbable journey as it enters its 34th year of publication.

Amid growing geopolitical tensions and the increasing possibility of reduced engagement in Baltic affairs by their staunchest ally, the United States, the three Baltic nations – Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia – face an undeniably daunting task: to regroup, strengthen themselves through new security formats, ramp up defence capabilities, and rely on trusted European partners – first and foremost, Germany.

Although this challenge may appear formidable, the Baltics have a unique opportunity to withstand emerging threats not only by reinforcing their defence, but also by rediscovering the stamina and resilience of their forebears – qualities that helped them survive some of the most ruthless chapters of history.

In short, the Baltics may have no choice but to become a new Israel – long regarded as a global symbol of perseverance and resilience.

Let’s acknowledge this: the US, and the West, are in decline, and the question is what form it will take. In other words, the world is entering uncharted waters, with China – and its bleak satellite, Russia – increasingly making the calls.

My premonition is that animosity and insurrectionism – of whatever colour, red or blue – are nothing in America compared to what Mother Nature has for it in store…

Speaking of the three Baltic nations, they have always been known for their hard-working and diligent people, and the latest issue of The Baltic Times Magazine bears witness to this spirit in our most voluminous edition yet – 140 pages.

Please meet our cover hero, Petras Masiulis, who has been serving as CEO of Tele2 Lithuania for nearly 23 years and was recently appointed Executive Vice President of the Tele2 Group.

“Although Tele2 Lithuania has adapted over the years, we have not changed what works. We preserved our core direction – and that is what I am truly proud of. Twenty years ago, we leapt from third place to first – and, remarkably, we are still at the top,” he told The Baltic Times Magazine.

This edition also places a strong focus on Klaipeda, Lithuania’s third-largest city on the Baltic Sea. Meet Arvydas Vaitkus, the Mayor of Klaipeda, and the ever-energetic Algis Latakas, CEO of Klaipeda Port.

Undoubtedly, one of Lithuania’s most important global ambassadors today is Ireland-based Avia Solutions Group, the world’s largest provider of aircraft leasing with crew, maintenance, and insurance (ACMI), operating in 68 countries. The Group’s CEO, Jonas Janukenas, spoke with us about plans to expand the ACMI airline network and aircraft fleet worldwide, with a particular focus on Asia and Latin America.

Nearly 20 outstanding Baltic businesses are featured in this edition!

For readers who prefer concise, wide-ranging analytical commentary, the issue offers more than a dozen in-depth analyses.

The online edition of the magazine is available in PDF format via a range of leading digital publication platforms, including Zinio, PressReader, Magzter and others. Readers may also purchase the magazine directly from us by sending a request to the editor at [email protected]

 

Yours sincerely,

Linas Jegelevicius
Editor-in-Chief
The Baltic Times Magazine