[Book Review] Small states and the new security environment

Abstract

The world has witnessed a whirlwind of changes since 2021, with events like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden’s entry into NATO, along with the resurgence of instability in the Middle East. Against this backdrop, one might assume that a collective volume on small state security published in 2021 would already be outdated. However, Small states and the new security environment carries a unique relevance and, despite being authored before 2021, offers a vital foundation to comprehend these post-2021 developments. This edited volume boasts several commendable strengths. Firstly, within the vast landscape of edited volumes, it distinguishes itself by maintaining a consistent and focused narrative centred around small state shelter theory (a brainchild of co-editor Baldur Thorhallsson). Each chapter in this volume focuses on the theory, analysing specific cases and a plethora of issues, thus contributing to the theory’s expansion. Some chapters delve more profoundly into this endeavour than others; but the overall approach is a testament to the book's academic rigour and coherence.