The Ties That Bind: Rearming the Alliance

Welcome back to the Ties That Bind, a project of the Foreign Policy Research Institute examining the past, present, and future of NATO and the transatlantic relationship. This season we examine how Western European NATO members like Germany are shifting their defense policies, pursuing rearmament, and what lies ahead for the future of European security.This week FPRI President Aaron Stein sits down with Peter Beyer, a member of the German Bundestag, to evaluate the trajectory of Germany’s Zeitenwende defense shift. The conversation explores Germany's expanding defense spending, military rearmament, and the ongoing response to Russian gray-zone threats and drone incursions. Beyer also addresses internal political pressure from the rising far-right AfD party and provides insights on the future of US-German security cooperation and transatlantic relations.The third season of the Ties That Bind is generously supported by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung USA. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tiesthatbind.substack.com

Welcome back to the Ties That Bind, a project of the Foreign Policy Research Institute examining the past, present, and future of NATO and the transatlantic relationship. This season we examine how Western European NATO members like Germany are shifting their defense policies, pursuing rearmament, and what lies ahead for the future of European security.This week we are pleased to feature a conversation with FPRI President Aaron Stein and Roderich Kiesewetter, a Member of the German Bundestag (CDU/CSU) who has held various command and staff positions, including at the EU Council , NATO and the German Ministry of Defense. The two discuss the strategic framework of the recently released German defense policy, key reforms and capabilities, and what strength means in the new European security environment.The third season of the Ties That Bind is generously supported by the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung USA. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tiesthatbind.substack.com

We often assume our safety is a “government problem,” but guests Admiral Rob Bauer, the former Chair of the NATO Military Committee, and Strategic Communications Advisor Eleonora Russell argue that this mindset is our greatest vulnerability. Drawing from their 2025 book, If You Want Peace, Prepare for War: A Blueprint for Deterrence, they challenge the idea that military strength alone is enough to protect our future. In this special episode of the Ties That Bind we discuss the core lessons from the book, what a “whole of society” approach really entails, how to effectively rebuild trust and engage citizens and industry, and what the future of the alliance may look like if we start fighting for the “we” in a world of “me.” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tiesthatbind.substack.com

Welcome back to the Ties That Bind, a project of the Foreign Policy Research Institute examining the past, present, and future of NATO and the transatlantic relationship. This season we examine how Western European NATO members like Germany are shifting their defense policies, pursuing rearmament, and what lies ahead for the future of European security.This week we are pleased to feature a conversation with FPRI President Aaron Stein and Roland Theis, a Member of the German Bundestag (CDU/CSU) who sits on the Defense and European Affairs Committees. The two discuss shifts in German defense policy, the erosion of transatlantic trust, and a way forward on rebuilding a strong US-European ties. You can read a transcript of their conversation here.The third season of the Ties That Bind is generously supported by the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tiesthatbind.substack.com

Welcome back to the Ties That Bind. This week, we go even further north, to Finland, one of the alliance’s newest members. Like the other frontline states we’ve visited this season, Finland shares a turbulent and complicated history with Russia that has long molded its security and foreign policy. But unlike the other frontline states, it was not a member of NATO at the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. February 24, 2022, proved to be a lynchpin moment for how Finnish society viewed its security and its future.In this episode, we’ll hear from two Finnish experts about that moment in time, both culturally and politically, about the process and challenges of Finland’s NATO accession, the country’s strategic role in the Arctic, and what it means for the alliance. We’ll also hear about Finland’s whole-of-society defense model, how the country’s culture has informed its security calculus, and what other allies can learn from the Finnish experience. And we’ll also discuss lessons for Finland’s history for Ukraine.Featured Guests:* Minna Ålander is an Associate Fellow at Chatham House and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis. * Joel Linnainmäki is a Research Fellow at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs and a former special advisor to the former Foreign Minister, Pekka Haavisto. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tiesthatbind.substack.com

Welcome back to the Ties That Bind.This week, we go back North to the shores of the Baltic Sea for a perspective from Latvia.In this episode, we’ll hear from three Latvian experts on the evolution of the country’s defense posture, NATO cooperation, and its response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We’ll also hear about what’s happening on the domestic front, with the evolution of national and municipal civilian defense programs, Latvia’s infrastructure investments, and how the country’s public sector is thinking about resilience and building trust in a whole-of-society defense approach.Featured Guests* Māris Andžāns is the Director of the Center for Geopolitical Studies Riga and an associate professor at Rīga Stradiņš University.* Ieva Berzina is a Senior Researcher at the Center for Security and Strategic Studies, National Academy of Defense of the Republic of Latvia, and an associate professor at Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences.* Linda Ozola is a Councilor of the Riga City Council, and former Deputy Mayor of Riga (2020-2025). This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tiesthatbind.substack.com

Welcome back to the Ties That Bind, A project of the Foreign Policy Research Institute examining how NATO shapes the transatlantic relationship and its role in the global security landscape.This week we welcome Oana Lungescu, the longest serving Principal NATO spokesperson to the podcast. Our conversation covers her personal experiences in communist Romania, her remarkable career trajectory as a journalist for the BBC and her decade serving as NATO ’s principal spokesperson. We also discuss the role of communications in countering NATO’s evolving challenges.    This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tiesthatbind.substack.com

Welcome back to the Ties That Bind.This week, we are looking further south along NATO’s eastern flank at Romania.Romania has long advocated for increased NATO and US presence in the Black Sea. Since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the importance of the Black Sea and Romania’s role have been reflected in an increased NATO presence and multiple defense and infrastructure investments. The country has been a critical actor in helping the Ukrainian war effort, serving as a logistics and military training hub, and securing Ukrainian grain exports in the first years of the war.In this episode, we’ll hear from three Romanian experts about the country’s role in NATO and Black Sea security, its defense investments, and plans to address strategic infrastructure challenges that have far-reaching significance for the alliance. We’ll also hear about what’s happening on the domestic front, notably the long-term repercussions of the annulled 2024 presidential election. While public opinion shows high support for NATO, Romania and its neighbors continue to be targeted by long-term Russian influence campaigns, and we’ll hear how these are affecting social attitudes towards NATO and Western institutions.Featured Guests* Antonia Colibasanu, Senior Analyst, Geopolitical Futures, FPRI Senior Fellow* Eusebiu Slavitescu, European defense analyst, former Romanian MFA* Alina Bargaoanu, Communications expert, University of Political Studies and Public Administration, Bucharest This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tiesthatbind.substack.com

Welcome back to the Ties That Bind. This season, we are looking at NATO from a bit of a different vantage point, specifically that of the frontline states. How are frontline states investing in and planning for their defense? How are they thinking about their role and contributions in the Alliance and on the world stage? How have their historical experiences shaped how their governments and societies think about defense, countering disinformation, and changing economic realities? And how are they preparing for a potential conflict with Russia? This week, we are looking at Poland, a country that has completely transformed its military and defense capacity over the last two decades. Periods of transition are not always painless, and we’ll hear what challenges Poland has faced and what opportunities lie ahead as it looks to become a leading voice within the alliance and on the world stage.Featured Guests: * Anna Fotyga, former Polish Foreign Minister, 2006-2007 * Tomasz Szatkowski, former Deputy Defense Minister, 2015-2019, and Ambassador to NATO, 2019-2024* Jakub Romaniuk, Programme Director, Foundation Institute for Eastern Studies The full interviews with all of our guests will be available soon. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tiesthatbind.substack.com

In this episode we look back at a defining year in NATO history and we look ahead to the challenges and the opportunities positioned to shape the alliance in the coming years and decades. Featured guests: * Nina Soljan, Head of NATO Affairs and Security Policy, NATO Headquarters* Susan Colbourn, Historian; Associate Director of the Program on American Grand Strategy, Duke University * Sara Moller, Associate Professor, Security Studies Program at Georgetown University; Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Center for a New American Security; Non-Resident Senior Fellow, Atlantic Council. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit tiesthatbind.substack.com