Historian and political scientist Karlis Daukahts believes that Latvia is currently unprepared for rapid responses to modern threats, including drones crossing the border. In his opinion, after the incidents in Latgale, society should see not promises for years ahead, but the state's readiness to defend the country today.
Amid discussions about the security of the Baltic states and new incidents involving drones in Latvia, historian and political scientist Karlis Daukahts stated in an interview with nra.lv that NATO and Latvia itself must be prepared to defend "not in three or five years, but right now."
The discussion was prompted by statements from NATO intelligence services that Russia could potentially be ready for confrontation with the alliance in the coming years.
However, Major General Johan Pekari of the Swedish Armed Forces warned that focusing on specific timelines creates a false sense of security. Daukahts agreed with this assessment.
"No general staff of a great power plans three or four years ahead. They start working to fulfill immediate orders," he said.
The political scientist was particularly critical of Latvia's response to the drones that crossed the border and fell in Rezekne. In his opinion, the state demonstrated unpreparedness.
"If a drone does not respond to certain signals from the very first centimeter, it needs to be shot down," Daukahts believes.
He stated that society should feel that the state is ready to defend the sovereignty and borders of the country immediately, rather than just discussing protocols and procedures.
"The main thing is that there must be confidence that we do not allow outsiders to come here," the political scientist said.
Daukahts also spoke about the sentiments of residents in Latgale after the drone incidents. According to him, some people perceive what is happening very anxiously. He gave the example of an acquaintance from Rezekne, who spent the whole night with his family in the bathroom after the drone fell.
"Many were heading towards Riga, and I know that many are leaving the so-called frontline strip of Latgale," Daukahts noted.
The political scientist also critically assessed the actions of the Latvian authorities, stating that security should concern the entire country, not just border areas.
At the same time, he emphasized the importance of Sweden joining NATO and strengthening the role of the Baltic Sea in the region's defense system. According to Daukahts, Sweden is becoming one of the key elements of Baltic security — partly due to threats to infrastructure and underwater cables in the Baltic Sea.
He separately commented on the situation in Russia and the public's reaction to the war. Daukahts noted that, in his opinion, a significant portion of Russians still do not associate the consequences of the war with the actions of their own country.
"The main question for Russians after the strike on Moscow was: 'What did we do to deserve this?'" he said.
Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine and rising tensions in the region, the topic of NATO and the Baltic states' readiness for potential threats remains one of the key issues in public discussion.
Daukahts believes that the main security signal for society should not be forecasts for years ahead, but the state's ability to respond to threats immediately.
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