On 24 April 2026, the Baltic Defence College (BALTDEFCOL) hosted a delegation from the War Studies University (WSU) in Poland. The visit aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the College’s core functions, as well as insights into Estonia’s "Small State" approach to deterrence and resilience.

The WSU students, led by our former colleague Colonel Mariusz Sobiesiak, received a comprehensive briefing on BALTDEFCOL’s aims, vision, mission, and educational programmes. This was followed by lectures from faculty members, illustrating that for Estonia, security is not merely a military task but a fundamental element of collective national identity.

Dr Veebel outlined the strategic logic underpinning Estonia's threat perceptions and military shifts, analysing the "Small State" defence strategy and its evolution post-2022. This strategic framework was complemented by a practical session with LTC (ret) Toom, who explained the integration of military and non-military capabilities to ensure national resilience.

As the WSU is a key partner institution for the Combined Joint Staff Exercise JOINT RESOLVE, the final session provided a detailed academic and operational walkthrough of the exercise scenario, focusing on the regional context and the integration of multinational forces.

It was a pleasure to host our Polish colleagues and exchange perspectives on the evolving security landscape. We look forward to continued collaboration and our next engagement during Exercise JOINT RESOLVE.