The  ICDS is a non-partisan independent think-tank based in Tallinn, Estonia. Our mission is to:
 --Strengthen Estonia’s security and defence sector by identifying and analysing national security and defence challenges and proposing policy solutions;
--Sharpen strategic thinking in NATO and the EU on security issues that affect the Nordic-Baltic region by offering timely and high-quality analysis and policy recommendations;
--Contribute to enhancing Estonia’s intellectual role within NATO and the EU by developing forward-looking and innovative policy ideas and strategic solutions for the common European and transatlantic security and defence agenda;
--Raise public awareness and stimulate public debate on security, defence and foreign policy matters.

In pursuit of its mission, we:
--conduct research on security, defence and foreign policy issues;
--hold two annual major security, defence and foreign policy events – the Lennart Meri Conference (LMC) and the Annual Baltic Conference on Defence (ABCD);
--organise Estonian National Defence Course;
--publish a monthly magazine, Diplomaatia, and conduct various outreach activities to engage relevant audiences in Estonia, among NATO and EU allies and in partner countries.

We organise our research into three broad programmes:
--Defence Policy and Strategy under which the ICDS aims to advance strategic thought on the key issues of transatlantic, European, regional and national defence (‘hard security’);
--Security and Resilience through which ICDS addresses non-military threats to national and international security (‘soft security’ issues) and the ways of building broad-based national resilience;
--International Affairs and Foreign Policy which aims to advance strategic thinking about the short, medium and long-term foreign policy and geopolitical issues affecting Estonia, NATO and the EU. This is the remit of our Estonian Foreign Policy Institute (EFPI)--part of ICDS since January 2018.

National Security

Publishing

Military

Research

International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS)

Indrek Kannik

Piia Sandrak

Martin Hurt

Maret Koplus

Kristi Raik

Kristi Luigelaht

Tomas Jermalavičius

Marek Kohv

Liisi Poll

Erle Rikmann

The Research Team at the International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS) conducts in-depth analyses on various aspects of security, defence, and foreign policy. Comprising both resident and non-resident fellows, the team supports three core research programmes: Defence Policy and Strategy, Security and Resilience, and International Affairs and Foreign Policy. Their work aims to provide strategic insights, develop policy solutions, and raise public awareness on issues pertinent to Estonia, NATO, and the EU, ultimately contributing to a more secure and resilient Nordic-Baltic region.

Research Team

Communications and Events

Research Team

About

Team members

Other teams at International Centre for Defence and Security (ICDS)

Communications and Events