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Russian President Vladimir Putin looks on during a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow late on April 29, 2026. (Getty Images)
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A view of EU, Polish and NATO flags at the Presidential Palace in Warsaw, June 21, 2016 (Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
While NATO now encompasses many more nations than it did during the Cold War, this critical alliance continues to face challenges in developing effective strategies and tactics to respond to Russian provocations and threats to neighboring nations, allies, and the world. In this environment, Eastern Europe’s strategic importance is returning to Cold War levels.
The Republic of Poland, in particular, has become a key player in this new Eastern European dynamic and a potential bulwark against Russia. On June 26, Hudson Institute hosted noted scholars, historians, and politicians. Panelists considered Poland's contributions to fighting tyranny, its active role in NATO, and the country’s strategic importance in countering an assertive Russia and strengthening the security of key European infrastructure, including energy. The panel consisted of historian Andrew Roberts, Hudson Institute fellows Walter Russell Mead and John Fonte, and Polish Senator and Minister Anna Maria Anders.
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The US Capitol Building at dusk on May 12, 2026, in Washington, DC. (Getty Images)
