Welcome to the NATO Through Time podcast!

This podcast dives deep into NATO’s history, reflecting on how the past influences the present – and future – of the longest-lasting alliance in history.

Why did the Baltic States and other countries of Central and Eastern Europe choose to join NATO after the end of the Cold War?
Why was the 2004 enlargement of NATO known as the "Big Bang" enlargement?
How do NATO’s smaller member countries contribute to the Alliance?

In this episode, former President of Latvia Dr Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga shares her extraordinary life story – from fleeing Latvia as a child at the end of the Second World War, to building a life in Canada for 50 years, to becoming President of Latvia after the country re-established its independence in 1991. Dr Vīķe-Freiberga reflects on her personal experiences, her country’s journey to becoming a NATO member in 2004 (alongside Bulgaria, Estonia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia), and on the future of NATO.

Host: Jamie Shea

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:00 1944 - Fleeing Latvia as a child during WWII
9:35 1954-1998 - Life as a Latvian in exile in Canada
17:06 1989 - The end of the Cold War
18:48 1998 - Returning to a free Latvia
20:56 1999 - Becoming President of Latvia
23:28 Why was it important for Latvia to join NATO?
24:58 Did the Latvian public support NATO membership?
26:01 What do smaller countries contribute to NATO?
32:19 The importance of defending NATO's eastern flank
34:34 How do you see the future of the Alliance?
35:44 Goodbye and reflections

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