GLOBSEC report on the readiness of NATO's eastern flank. Poland in the context of the region
The report “Annual Battle Readiness on the Eastern Flank, 2026” focuses on how allied declarations and growing defense spending translate into the actual defense capabilities of ten countries in the region, from Finland through Poland, the Baltic countries, to the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.
According to the report, NATO's eastern flank has undergone a significant transformation, however, its readiness to act in crisis situations remains variable.
Poland, Finland and Estonia were identified as the countries best prepared to make quick decisions in the face of threats. According to the report's authors, What is crucial here is not only the institutional structure, but also the predictability of states' actions in situations requiring an immediate responsesuch as the use of armed forces or the adoption of allied troops.
— Poland is doing well. Nowhere is a 100% perfect situation, but compared to others, Poland is impressive Sklenar said. — Of course, there is Finland, which is very well prepared for such a debate. From the point of view of defense readiness, this is a critical element, he added.
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He also emphasized the importance of social consensus, which enables long-term maintenance of increased defense spending and building credibility in the eyes of allies.
Social consensus is the foundation of resilience
The expert pointed out that the resilience of states depends largely on the awareness of citizens and their readiness for crisis situations.
— Working with society and building awareness that what we do is not a matter of choice, but a necessity “These are key issues,” he noted.
He added that social education facilitates the acceptance of legal changes, such as granting special powers to institutions in crisis situationswhich allows for efficient decision-making without giving up democratic values.
The report also points to the need for closer cooperation between governments and the defense industry. Sklenar stressed that industry should be an integral part of the deterrence strategy, able to quickly increase production in the event of a conflict.
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— Deterrence is effective only when a potential aggressor sees that the country is able to continue producing equipment throughout the war, and not just use stocks, he explained.
The role of national governments
According to the authors of the report Actions taken at the national level are of key importance for building combat readiness.
— From the point of view of national governments, it is important that readiness does not start in Brussels or at the NATO summit. There you make an appointment and commit, but then you come back to yourself and start implementing it. It is not enough to agree to 3.5%. GDP (military spending – ed.), but it must be implemented – Sklenar emphasized.
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The GLOBSEC report draws attention to the need to quickly make political decisions, simplify procedures and build public understanding of security activities. Without these elements, as the authors note, even the largest financial outlays may not bring the expected results.
