Sweden's Strategic Posture. Will the Swedes Join NATO?

Sweden has been associated with neutrality for years, but the present times pose new geostrategic challenges for the Swedes. Will Stockholm join NATO?

Welcome to the next episode of The 20s Report.

00:00 Intro
01:00 Geostrategic pause
04:27 The key to the Baltic's defense
09:15 Breaking strategic neutrality
13:40 Outro

Research & analysis: Hubert Walas
Video production: Hubert Walas
Voiceover: Michael Dzurak

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#Sweden #NATO

Sources:

[thomashanner]

Since this film was made, Sweden have now re-adjusted its military budget spending to two percent of bnp.

[oskar]

A good summary of the situation here in Sweden. Sweden is rearming but slowly. The 2022 election could lead to an increse in defence spending and closer military cooperation with NATO but I don’t see it leading to Sweden seeking membership, not least because it would put Finland, Sweden’s closest military ally, into a tough spot, forcing it to either join NATO or face significant pressure from Russia (which would feel greater urgency in stopping Finland from joining).

What’s missing in the analysis is that despite the ’peaceful’ security posture of Sweden there is high level of willingness in the population for military defence of the country. In polls a greater proportion of Swedes say they are willing to ”fight for their country” in a military conflict than in France, Germany, Italy or Spain. Here it is on par with Poland and the other Nordic countries.

[rodzinachso]

Thank you for a good analysis. As a citizen of Sweden, I am continuously amazed by the abysmal lack of realpolitik and blue-eyed ignorance of the Swedish political establishment. As in most conflicts during these 200 years of peace - Sweden will be at the height of armed readiness some 5-10 years after a conflict has occurred... if that is allowed to happen.

[Andersson]

We have worked very closely with NATO for decades while pretended to be neutral. We share our military intel with NATO and we let NATO personell train together with our troops. We are not in any way shape or form neutral.

[faderneslandet]

As a Swede and a firm supporter of the biggest political block, the conservative-right, I don't see alot of support for us joining Nato as it would only promote more instability in the region. The only reason why the Russians remain nonantagonistic to Finland and Sweden is because we remain non-belligerent to the power struggle and they don't see us as a threat and nor do we. Of course Finns and Swedes share feelings about the Russians from our long and difficult history with them, and we don't condone their aggression towards other European countries, but joining Nato would give the Russians a reason to turn their focus to us and put our own countries and people at risk. I support the idea of Scandinavian isolationism from the warmongering nations and that we should instead pursue our own Nordic defensive pact, which sould also include our Baltic brothers and sisters. I don't feel good knowing my country enters in a union that could potentially force me and my fellow countrymen to join a war on the side of non-elected politicians in the EU.

[scrambledeggy]

Your content is insane! Very similar to the Caspian Report.

[aldorias]

The smartest option would be to form a defence pact including sweden finland denmark and norway. In that way we secure gotland and the baltic sea, kattegatt beeing the entrance to the baltic aswell as a precense in the northern sea. This alliance would obviously be more inclined to cooperate with nato and thus beeing able to defend itself as these countries beeing united would pose a major threat and eliminate a "quick" victory for the russians and possibly having the nato allies behind their back without having to actually join. Unfortunately norway is usas lapdog and is more loyal to them than fennoscandia.

[craftthemoon]

I may not be able to contribute to the Patreon, but I will contribute a like and watchtime. Keep up the informative content!

[dirtypure]

Your analysis is always interesting. I have one technical suggestion, maybe it's not a big deal and more of a nitpick. But you could ask your narrator to record the audio in a closet or under a blanket (or whatever techniques people use) to reduce the room echo, which isn't too bad but I noticed it in the transition between your voice and his. Just something that could add a little extra to the quality maybe. Keep up the great work both of you!

[bramsturk]

Your intro is so good!! It is perfect for a geopolitical channel

[gojira]

Good Times Bad Times:"For centuries Sweden has managed to stay away from global conflict"
*Russia has entered the chat*
*Finland has entered the chat*
*Denmark has entered the chat*
*The Taliban have entered the chat*
*Norway has entered the chat*
*Duchies of Germany have entered the chat*
*France Has entered the chat*

[madamehussein]

Sweden has been an ally of the U.S in all but name since the end of WW2. That's when we sent our first spying planes into soviet airspace on your behalf. Cooperation between Sweden and NATO countries is highly institutionalized. Swedish officer cadets in exchange programmes for instance are treated like "allied officers".

The reason Sweden did not go all the way was primarily due to Finland, as I understand it. During the cold war the finns were firmly in the soviet sphere of influence, having signed the "Frienship and Cooperation"-treaty at the end of WW2. If Sweden had joined NATO that would have put the front lines at the border of Finland. That might have provoked the soviets into establishing permanent military bases on finnish soil and/or annexing the country outright.

[sebbevangen]

Me as a Swede after i watched this video.

My fear before: 0%
My fear after 100%

[ronaldp]

The quality of this channel is truly impressive. So much attention to detail, such a focus on facts over opinion. I hope your channel grows to a million subscribers, you certainly earn it,

[TheLoyalOfficer]

There is a middle ground here: an "enhanced strategic relationship" with NATO.

[mikilambastein]

In case of war, Sweden will help nato, and nato will help Sweden, membership out not.

[fleshreap]

Finland isn't joining NATO, and if Finland isn't then doubt Sweden would either. More of a duo pact with Swe+Fin.

[juliushakala]

I hope Swedish government commits fully to help Finland this time, it would be beneficial to both sides

[gabrielsorqvist]

As an swede myself this was really fun to watch, Great video

[utkarshg.bharti]

The Sweden of today isn’t the same as the Sweden of Cold War. Gone are those days of autonomy and strategic rationality.

The entire Western Europe is USA++