‘Let’s stop feeding the bear’ In Latvia’s easternmost region, ordinary people navigate growing militarization and a stagnant economy as the border with Russia hardens

‘Let’s stop feeding the bear’ In Latvia’s easternmost region, ordinary people navigate growing militarization and a stagnant economy as the border with Russia hardens

Last month, Latvian authorities introduced increased restrictions at three border crossings, citing the risk of a “hybrid threat” from neighboring Russia and Belarus. One of Kyiv’s staunchest allies, Latvia has taken drastic steps to harden its borders since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. And with the Kremlin reportedly expanding army bases and preparing to move more troops to its border regions along NATO’s eastern flank, Riga’s security co…