SMALL COUNTRIES AND THEIR STRATEGIC MANEUVERING IN A MULTIPOLAR SYSTEM

Small countries play a special role in the modern international relations system, whose foreign policy is driven not only by their geographical location and resources, but also with the ability to maneuver. The multipolar world, where power is distributed between several global centers, creates both opportunities and challenges for small states. The Baltic States - Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia - are an interesting and typical example of how a small state can strengthen their place, ensure security, and protect political interests under the influence of global and regional forces. This work aims to analyze the theoretical framework of the foreign policy of small states, discuss the specifics of the polar system, and demonstrate these processes on the strategic choice of the Baltic states. The work argues that the success of the Baltic states is largely conditioned by their ability to strategic maneuver between global forces, to use multilateral alliances (NATO, the EU), and at the same time maintain their national interests. Under the polar system, the strategies of small states are based on balancing, co -operation and multilateralism. The Baltic example shows that integration into regional security mechanisms, enlargement of partners and the use of "soft power" is crucial for small states. Thus, small states are not just passive players, but also actively form an international order if they have the right strategic vision and flexible foreign policy.