Dr. Berzins is a senior researcher and former director of the Center for Security and Strategic Research (CSSR) at the National Defense Academy of Latvia, a non-resident researcher fellow and advisor at the Swedish Defence University, a senior fellow at Center for the Study of New Generation Warfare, and The Saratoga Foundation. His work focuses on the juxtaposition between the theoretical developments of Russian Military Thought and the operational reality on the ground. This includes both the hybrid and conventional aspects of warfare, such as influence, information, and psychological operations. 

Dr. Berzins has lectured as a guest in the United States, Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands, Singapore, Belgium, Brazil, Estonia and Lithuania at various academic and defense institutions. They include the New York University, the Johns Hopkins University, the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies, the Swedish Defense University, the Swedish Defense Research Agency, the Norwegian Military Academy, the US Army’s Asymmetric Warfare Group, the NATO’s Special Operations Command Europe, the NATO/SHAPE Brunssum Headquarters, among others. Dr. 

Dr. Berzins has briefed the United Kingdom House of Commons’ Defense Select Committee, he testified to the Parliament of Singapore, and advised the Swedish and the Polish Government. He has advised the Ministry of Defense of Singapore regarding Strategic Communications, and influence, information, and psychological operations. He has also provided expertise about Russia’s doctrine for the US Department of Defense and Russia's strategic issues for the private sector.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• New Generation (Hybrid) Warfare

• Russian Military Thought

• Geopolitics

• Economics

EDUCATION:

• Federal University of Santa Catarina (BA, Economics)

• São Paulo State University (MSc, Economics)

• University of Latvia (PhD studies in Political Sciences - credits completed)

• University of Latvia (PhD, Economics)