The Baltic Sea is more than just an inland sea--it is a historical geopolitical stage. From Viking Age seafaring to a NATO-dominated region, this brackish sea has been a lifeline for the peoples and nations of Northern Europe. It has served as a hub for economic and political relations, from the Hanseatic League's dominance in the Middle Ages to the power struggles of the Swedish Empire, Poland-Lithuania, and Russia, as well as the dramatic shifts brought by the Napoleonic Wars, the two World Wars, and the Cold War. Yet, the Baltic Sea has also been a place of cooperation. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, the region experienced integration and growth--an evolution now once again challenged by new geopolitical tensions. How will the future be shaped by energy flows, climate change, and military strategies?
