The Transatlantic relationship has constantly been important to Europe and the US while going through turbulent waters encouraged by political shifts on a regular basis. Developments with regards to Afghanistan are a good illustration on how sensitive and occasionally unstable the relationship can be. The withdrawal out of Afghanistan did not exactly go according to initial plans. This will certainly have consequences for Europe and its allies in ways that will be costly even if no military troops are based in Afghanistan. What are the new geopolitical challenges that might arise? What is the role of smaller countries such as the Baltics in the larger geopolitical arena? Are Europe and the US ready and able to tackle emerging threats?

Listen to conversation between Sten Rynning, Professor, Danish Institute for Advanced Studies and Vice-Dean for Research, Department of Political Science and Public Management, University of Southern Denmark and Sandis Šrāders, Board Member of Latvian Transatlantic Organisation.