Two separate scandals have shed light on the controversial state of the Baltic country's banks, which have been the subject of concern over their financial well-being and over indications of corruption within the sector. As the scandals unfold, it will be important to watch how they play into the bigger picture of Latvia's strategic role in the standoff between Russia and the West. On Feb. 17, the Latvian anti-corruption agency detained the head of the country's central bank, Ilmars Rimsevics, after Grigory Guselnikov, the Anglo-Russian owner of Latvia's Norvik bank, accused him of taking bribes. Rimsevics has denied any wrongdoing, and Latvia's Defense Ministry said that the allegations were part of a "massive information operation" by an external actor.