Battlegrounds With H.R. McMaster: International Perspectives

Battlegrounds w/ H.R. McMaster: Finland: A Perspective from NATO’s Unquiet Frontier | Hoover Institution

Aug 2, 2023

H.R. McMaster and Kai Sauer discuss Finland's defense priorities, security concerns including Russian aggression, and the war in Ukraine. They also touch on topics such as European security, NATO membership, countering hybrid warfare and disinformation, and challenges to energy security. The podcast explores the importance of economic and social stability, addresses security concerns, and highlights Finland's culture and inviting opportunities.

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Introduction

00:00 • 5min

Finland's Perspective on European Security and NATO Membership

05:11 • 12min

Finland's Approach to Defending Against Hybrid Warfare and Disinformation

17:08 • 4min

Maintaining Economic and Social Stability in an Insecure Environment

21:03 • 2min

Russia's Failure to Renew Grain Deal and Threats to Energy Security

22:57 • 20min

Addressing Security Challenges and Escalation Concerns

43:16 • 3min

Geopolitical Threats, Finnish Culture, and Inviting Americans to Finland

46:12 • 3min

In this episode of Battlegrounds, H.R. McMaster and Kai Sauer discuss the war in Ukraine, Finland’s priorities in the areas of defense and the economy, digital and energy security, and the future of Europe and the transatlantic relationship, on Wednesday, August 2, 2023.

Insights from the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Security Policy at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland shed light on European security and the transatlantic relationship from the perspective of Finland. Reflecting on Finland’s position as a U.S. ally, strategic partner and new member of NATO, Mr. Kai Sauer assesses the strategic value Finland brings to the Alliance, the country’s key security concerns including Russian aggression and the war in Ukraine, Finland’s priorities in the areas of defense, the economy, digital and energy security, and the importance of the US sustaining commitments in Europe in defense of our common values.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Mr. Kai Sauer is currently the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Security Policy at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland since June 2019. Previously he served as the Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations (2014-2019), and as the Ambassador of Finland to Indonesia, Timor-Leste and ASEAN (2010-2014). Mr. Sauer has worked for the Finnish Foreign Ministry for nearly 25 years and served also in Croatia, Kosovo, Austria and the US. He has held several senior UN positions. He has been appointed as Finland’s next Ambassador to Germany, taking up his post in Berlin later this year.

H.R. McMaster is the Fouad and Michelle Ajami Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He is also the Bernard and Susan Liautaud Fellow at the Freeman Spogli Institute and lecturer at Stanford University’s Graduate School of Business. He was the 25th assistant to the president for National Security Affairs. Upon graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1984, McMaster served as a commissioned officer in the United States Army for thirty-four years before retiring as a Lieutenant General in June 2018.