enclave/ exclave

definition

enclave or exclave is a terriroty belonging to another state completely surrounded by another state.

by the perspective of the country that surrounds the territory the territory surrounded is called ENCLAVE. (es. Kalingrad for Poland/ Lithuania)

by the perspective of the country which the territory belongs to the territory its called EXCLAVE (es. Kalingrad for RussiaO)

can be depended (es. Kaliningrad) or independent( es. Vatican City in Italy)

if the enclave/ exclave touches the sea => it is called SEMI-enclave/ SEMI - exclave

(es. Kalingrad faces the Baltic sea)

can be an enclave but not an exclave (es. Nepal is an Enclave to China/ india, but not an exclave to any other country)

what is Kaliningrad

EXclave to Russia ( Russia’s territory)

ENclave to Poland and Lithuania (surrounded by Nato Countries)

faces the baltic sea => SEMI ENCLAVE/ EXCLAVE

origins after WW2

it was first capital of Prussia

than belonged to the German, until they were defeated in WW2

Stalin asked for it in 1943 ( as he wanted a territory with access to warm sea) and Truman and Churchill gave it to him in 1945 => part of Soviet Union

in 1991 part of Russia

Geopolitical relevance

Indeed, it is the only russian port with access to sea that doesn’t freeze all year.

Can control marine access

special economic zone, tax breaks / tariffs reduction

! holds russian military personnel, assets and main bases*

surrounded by NATO countries, it has a very strategic position

what is the Suwalki gap ?

kalingrad, along with the Suwalki gap is a danger to E.U.

65 KM long strip of territory, between Poland and Lithuania, can connect Kaliningrad and Belarus which is close and Allied to Russia.

In case of conflicts, this would be the first problem, as then the E.U. could not supply Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia.

what is the Iskander missile

moreover, in Kaliningrad there is the Iskander Missile,

1. Very powerful, designed for rapid and precise attacks on strategic areas like important infrastructure

2. 500 km range=> E.U. regions and parts of Poland could be in danger.

3. Situated in Kaliningrad in response to NATO installation in E.U.,its location is key, as it is in the middle of NATO countries. => increases Kaliningrad geopolitical relevance

4. However the U.S. and other European countries have nuclear weapons, like France, the UK and Italy. 

5. Problem for NATO as they don't know if it has nuclear power,  signal that Russia can make conflicts at nuclear levels

6. +  difficult to track with radar systems

7. Strengthen Russia A2/AD (anti access=> making it difficult for enemies to get into the area/  anti denial=> prevents or degrade an enemy 's ability to operate effectively once inside ) => makes it more difficult for NATO states to reinforce the NATO members

 

what is A2/ AD

A2= anti access= prevents/ delays enemikes form enetring the area

AD= Anti denial capabilities= prevents or make it difficult for the enemies inside it to operate freely/ effectively once inside