Lithuania turns into NATO’s militarised, spy‑empowered frontline state | Russia

Lithuania is rapidly reshaping itself into a heavily militarised, intelligence‑driven frontline state inside NATO, expanding spy powers and conscription in response to what it portrays as an escalating Russian and Belarusian threat. The state has granted its spy services expanded authority to monitor, detain and search people with fewer procedural obstacles, while simultaneously boosting defence spending and manpower through an aggressive conscription drive. Under the new intelligence law, which takes effect on February 1, 2026, Lithuanian agencies can detain individuals and search their bodies, homes and property based on suspicion alone, without first securing a court warrant. Watch for more