The Nato anthem isn’t likely to receive a vocal rendition when Sweden’s flag, bearing the nation’s distinctive blue-and-yellow colours, is raised as the 32nd flag at Nato’s base in Brussels on the coming Monday. Unlike in 1959, when Bing Crosby marked Nato’s tenth birthday by singing a Cold War propaganda tune, there will be no song. Back then, Crosby extolled the virtues of Nato with lines like, “Then Nato went on guard and free men ceased to yield, We live again in peace and strength behind the Nato shield.”
In contrast, the accolades for Nato today are delivered in plain words by Swedish prime minister, Ulf Kristersson, as he led Sweden’s application and managed tricky conversations with both Turkey and Hungary over the past two years. Commenting on the historic occasion of Sweden officially becoming a part of Nato, Kristersson has declared that Sweden will be defending freedom in close association with other nations on geographical, cultural, and ethical grounds. He views this as a “great but natural stride” for Sweden, after maintaining non-alignment for 200 years. This neutrality was their original response to devastating 18th and 19th-century conflicts, primarily against Russia. Today, Russia’s advancement into Ukraine has prompted another dramatic change in Sweden’s direction. Nearly two-thirds of Swedes now back Nato, particularly since neighbouring Finland has been committed for over a year.
Nonetheless, sentiments are mixed in Stockholm. For 58-year-old city resident Lisa Hjerten, the shift towards Nato brings sadness, while for 72-year-old Anders, it provides a sense of security for his descendants. There is no doubt that Sweden’s inclusion in Nato seals the remaining neutral space on the Baltic Sea’s map. However, the subsequent extension of the organisation driven by Russia’s pursuit of Ukraine is unlikely to ease Moscow’s repeated fears of encirclement.
Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, emphasised that the inclusion of Sweden and Finland in Nato vividly illustrates how Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has become a strategic catastrophe for Russia. Correspondingly, safety consultants concur that this shift – and its timing – alters the fundamentals of European security.
Prof Håkan Edström from the Swedish Defence University stated, “Northern Europe will transition from a sidelight region to being Nato’s new frontline against Russia. The whole strategic environment will undergo a shift, which we must stay abreast of.”
In recent years, Sweden, after cutting back on defense budgets and retiring infrastructure, is accelerating – both in its actions and its spending – to fulfill its NATO obligation of allocating 2 per cent of its GDP to security and defense. A significant increase in defense spending is projected for this year at 119 billion Kr (€10.65bn), almost twice the 2020 budget. This movement is likely to push Sweden above the 2% benchmark.
Major investments are also expected to enhance civilian infrastructure and national resilience – this includes the enhancement of energy security and the development of transportation systems. Along with its location and a rapid increase in spending, Sweden brings to Nato advanced defence industries, like Saab, which produce fighter planes, submarines, tanks, and the weapons systems to destroy them.
Saab’s CEO, Michael Johansson, openly recognised the security benefits for Sweden aligning equally with the financial benefits for his company of gaining entry to NATO’s core group. While, Mr Kristersson indicated that he hopes ordinary Swedes perceive NATO membership as insignificantly as possible, Sweden has already taken part in military exercises with NATO members in its northern territories, bordering Norway and Finland.
Swedish defense analysts believe that formal Nato membership expands upon the close connections established since the 1990s. This bond has already fostered a significant level of compatibility and interaction with the new NATO neighbours.
An agreement with Washington last year for bilateral defense cooperation in conjunction with Nato membership will see 17 Swedish bases accommodate a substantial number of US soldiers and marines. Critics, especially Swedish pacifists, find this agreement objectionable. However, Pierre Schori, former adviser to pacifist Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme, accepted the change with a touch of resignation over outrage. He remarked, “We will survive unless we get nuked.”
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