An examination of Poland’s approach to the future of European security, reflecting its perspective from the front line of NATO’s confrontation with Russia, the country’s focus on maintaining and strengthening the transatlantic relationship as the central pillar of the continent’s security, and Warsaw’s concerns about ideas of European strategic autonomy that would weaken NATO and the US security role.

Poland has emerged as a key voice supporting the transatlantic link as the foundation of Europe’s security and defence, and is increasingly acting as a pivot point in the basing and deployment of US forces to NATO’s eastern flank. A longstanding critic of Russia’s regional policies since 2014, Warsaw has increased its defence spending and strengthened security ties with its neighbours in the Baltic region and Northern Europe. In this episode, Justyna Gotkowska, Programme Coordinator of the Regional Security Programme at the Centre for Eastern Studies, and Dr Marcin Terlikowski, Head of the International Security Programme at the Polish Institute of International Affairs, discuss how Poland is looking to influence the European security debate with Dr Neil Melvin, Director RUSI International Security Studies.