LaSER Welcomes its Second Stanford University Intern for Summer Research
This summer, LaSER welcomed Yasha Mathew Shaw, a second-year Stanford University student studying computer science with a focus on artificial intelligence. Yasha’s interest in emerging technologies began long before university. While still in high school, he participated in research at the California Nanosystems Institute at UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), working alongside researchers on […]
Roberts Kits explains the role of society in the fight against Russia’s hybrid threats in Central and Eastern Europe
Can society recognise activities that could pose a threat to national security? And do people know when suspicious behaviour should be reported to the relevant authorities? In his latest publication “Citizens Are First in Line Against Russia’s Sabotage in CEE”, published in Resilient Futures Insight, LaSER security policy researcher Roberts Kits examines how public involvement […]
LaSER Presents New Study on the Development Perspectives of the Baltic Defence Industry
Today, on 16th July, think tank LaSER presented its latest study focusing on the analysis of the defence industries of Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia, as well as outlining future development perspectives in the context of the changing security environment. The author of the study, Roberts Kits, presented the key findings, highlighting the current state of […]
The Baltic Defence Industry: United We Scale, Divided We Fail?
Title: The Baltic Defence Industry: United We Scale, Divided We Fail? Publication type: Policy Review Author: Roberts Kits This study continues the discussion initiated in the LaSER policy review “Towards the Baltic Tiger: How to Strengthen Defence Cooperation Among the Baltic States?” on closer cooperation between the Baltic states in the field of defence, with […]
Oskars Leosks on the Challenges of Riga’s Construction Permitting Process and the Study’s Key Findings in “Dienas Bizness”
In an interview with Dienas Bizness, LaSER researcher and author of the study “Simple and Fast? The Planning and Construction Permitting Process in Riga”, Oskars Leosks explains that the challenges facing Riga’s construction permitting process cannot be resolved solely by reorganising internal administrative procedures. Meaningful improvements also require political decisions at both the municipal and […]
Survey Data on Political Participation, Latvian Political Parties, and Other Issues
Title: Survey Data on Political Participation, Latvian Political Parties, and Other Issues Author: Artis Vilks Source: Survey of residents of the Republic of Latvia (n=1005), fieldwork conducted by SKDS in January 2026 Dataset: Download the dataset (CSV) Variables and values: Download variables and values (PDF), download variables and values (XLSX) As part of the […]
Survey Data on Latvia’s Electoral System, Government Effectiveness, and Other Issues
Title: Survey Data on Latvia’s Electoral System, Government Effectiveness, and Other Issues Author: Artis Vilks Source: Survey of citizens of the Republic of Latvia (n=929), fieldwork conducted by SKDS in December 2025 Dataset: Download the dataset (CSV) Variables and values: Download variables and values (PDF), download variables and values (XLSX) As part of the preparation […]
Roberts Kits on Security and Defence Policy Priorities Ahead of the Elections
LaSER security policy researcher Roberts Kits has published an opinion article on Delfi analysing the key security and defence policy issues that should receive attention from society and policymakers as elections approach. In light of Russia’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and the growing security challenges in the region, defence policy remains one of […]
Roberts Kits at the Conversation Festival Discussion “LAMPA”on the Future of Baltic Cooperation
At the LAMPA Conversation Festival, LaSER security policy researcher Roberts Kits participated in the discussion “Baltic States – Between Cooperation and Competition”, joining other experts in analysing the dynamics of relations between the Baltic states and the challenges shaping the region’s future development. In recent years, cooperation between the Baltic states has become increasingly important […]
Navigating Uncertainty: Opportunities and Challenges for Latvia–U.S. Economic Relations
Title: Navigating Uncertainty: Opportunities and Challenges for Latvia–U.S. Economic Relations Publication type: Policy Review Author: Nathaniel Fagelson This policy brief examines the economic relations between Latvia and the United States at a time when technological change, geopolitical uncertainty, and shifts in international trade are reshaping the global economy. It assesses bilateral economic cooperation and its […]