Total Defence Done Right

When walking through the vibrant old town of Vilnius, Lithuania’s capital, it is difficult to imagine that until about three decades ago, these same streets were in the grip of a ruthless regime. For half a century, Soviet occupation controlled every aspect of life. Before that, the Russian Empire kept Lithuania under its reign for over a hundred years. Yet, through generations of oppression and hardship, the Lithuanian spirit of resistance and hunger for independence never faded. Today, every Lithuanian, from schoolboy to grandmother, still holds that unwavering vow: never again.

This spirit is not just based on a ghost of the past. It comes from a realisation of what might be yet to come. Because the Lithuanians know from first-hand experience just how far Russia can go. This collective memory is what drives every Lithuanian, old or young, to do whatever they can to protect every inch of their homeland. Just like the roots of Lithuania’s dense forests, anchored deep and binding the land together, the mentality of total defence is embedded in every layer of Lithuanian society.

Total defence is a comprehensive strategy that combines and mobilises all segments of society. This means that, besides the armed forces, every national institution is prepared to defend the state in case of emergency. This is not an approach that is unique to Lithuania only, but the pronounced societal resilience and preventive aspects of it are. Lithuania’s National Security Strategy even explicitly sets goals to strengthen cultural and national identity, prepare society for resistance and strengthen the people’s will to defend the state.

But even though the government demonstrates great vision and leadership in defence strategy, Lithuanians consider national security to be something too important to entrust to the government alone. To them, defence is a mindset. For that reason, the country is home to many different initiatives that contribute to the readiness of the public.[52]

Take, for example, the Civic Resilience Initiative, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Lithuanians in security, media literacy, countering disinformation, and cyber awareness through workshops and training. The Riflemen’s Union, a paramilitary organization, takes a more hands-on approach, providing military training and teaching sabotage techniques to civilians as part of a strategy for resilience against occupation. This is not just a male endeavour, either. Many women are actively involved, understanding what needs to be done and stepping up to the plate.[53]

Youth organizations, like scouting clubs, are also an integral part of civil resilience. Through playful activities, they teach children civil responsibility, survival skills, and leadership from an early age. Even the Catholic Church, which holds a lot of influence in Lithuania, has taken its fair share of responsibility. Last year, it signed a cooperation agreement with the Ministry of Interior, through which priests now guide congregations on civil protection, and certain churches are designated as emergency shelters, underscoring the Church’s role as an institution of support and solidarity in times of crisis. [54]

How Lithuania’s Civil Resilience Model Can Inspire the Netherlands

“they teach children civil responsibility, survival skills, and leadership from an early age”

Although these are just some of many examples, it is enough to highlight the stark contrast with the Dutch mentality, where any sort of civil readiness is often lacking. Unlike our Baltic partners, we have not had decades of Russian occupation, and we do not have neighbours you wish would move away like Russia and Belarus. But just because we do not live in fear of a sudden kamikaze of Russian tanks on our soil does not mean we live in a risk-free society. [55] Even here, hybrid attacks from Russia and China are on the rise. What do we do in case of a major cyber-attack or power outage and we lose access to our bank accounts, networks and heating? Or in case of water supply disruptions, how many people have an emergency water supply that will last three or more days? While it might seem like ‘doomsday prepping’ to some, even a simple plan or basic stockpile can be a lifeline. It is better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

Interestingly, the concept of civil preparedness is not entirely foreign to the Netherlands. During the Cold War, the Dutch “Bescherming Bevolking” (Civil Defence Organization) was tasked with preparing citizens for potential disasters, from nuclear attacks to natural calamities. Civil drills, stockpiling, and community education were common practices. These efforts created societal awareness and readiness in times when we expected the worst. Unfortunately, as the perceived threats of the Cold War faded, so too did the Dutch commitment to readiness. [56]

We are much too reliant. When trouble strikes, we always assume our government will step in, ready to rescue us. Although it is a privilege to live in a country where this safety net is strong and present most of the time, what do we do when it is not? Lithuanians do not wait to find out. They understand preparedness is not about living in fear. It is about living with foresight. It is time we do the same, which is why we need to rediscover our old practices. Today’s realities of hybrid warfare and cyber threats show the concept of civil resilience is not outdated but urgently relevant. Failing to prepare is preparing to fail. In a world of unpredictable risks, it is always better to be one step ahead.