How NATO should respond to Russian aggression in the Baltics

Russia has a population smaller than Nigeria, and a GDP smaller than Italy, but an outsized military presence that looms over NATO's Baltic members, and the alliance at large.

Ongoing military campaigns in Syria, Ukraine and Crimea, as well as past infractions in Moldova and Georgia underscore just how willing Russia is to use conventional forces, as well as softer means of undermining neighboring states.

Russia has been increasingly flaunting their military might and daring with a series of provocative moves towards US and NATO ships and planes, and a RAND Corp study, as well as testimonies from several prominent US generals, has concluded that Russian forces could overrun NATO defenses and take over Baltic capitals like Riga and Tallinn in as little as 36 hours.

A new report from the Atlantic Council contends that with the proper organization, and preparation, NATO could configure their forces to deter, and if necessary, defeat Russia in the Baltics.

In the slides below, see how NATO can refocus to provide adequate support for democracies to weather even a surprise attack from a newly rearmed and aggressive Russia.