Russia Warns Sweden and Finland Against NATO Membership
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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Fortress Sweden: Inside the plan to mobilize Swedish society against Russia
WASHINGTON — Roughly 220 miles of ocean separates Sweden from the heavily militarized Russian port of Kaliningrad. The country’s long, narrow shape leaves it vulnerable to air assault from multiple sides. And Sweden, along with neighboring Finland, are in the unique position as the only non-NATO aligned nations on the Baltic Sea.
Hence, the nation spent the Cold War years preparing to fend for itself against a great power invasion, drawing up plans for how to mobilize the entirety of the civilian population and infrastructure to defend its territory. And then the Soviet Union collapsed, a new era of peace dawned and those plans were left to fall fallow.
Now, Sweden is looking to change that.
A landmark commission formed in early 2017 is laying the groundwork to revitalize Sweden’s “total defense” concept, which would see the country ready to use all aspects of Swedish life to push back an invasion from an unspecified foreign adversary — but one that sounds suspiciously like Europe’s biggest bogeyman in Moscow.
In an exclusive interview with Defense News during a recent visit to Washington, Defence Commission head Bjorn von Sydow and commission secretariat chief Tommy Akesson explained their vision for revitalizing Sweden’s defense infrastructure — one they believe must enable the country to hold out against a major invasion for three months.
“When we say civil defense, we mean all civil activities in society, including medical care, including shelters of course, including private companies, everything. Local communities and all their obligations,” Akesson said. “It’s a total mobilization of the country and planning for how to put all forces in society in the direction of solving, in the worst case, a military attack.”......
WASHINGTON — Roughly 220 miles of ocean separates Sweden from the heavily militarized Russian port of Kaliningrad. The country’s long, narrow shape leaves it vulnerable to air assault from multiple sides. And Sweden, along with neighboring Finland, are in the unique position as the only non-NATO aligned nations on the Baltic Sea.
Hence, the nation spent the Cold War years preparing to fend for itself against a great power invasion, drawing up plans for how to mobilize the entirety of the civilian population and infrastructure to defend its territory. And then the Soviet Union collapsed, a new era of peace dawned and those plans were left to fall fallow.
Now, Sweden is looking to change that.
A landmark commission formed in early 2017 is laying the groundwork to revitalize Sweden’s “total defense” concept, which would see the country ready to use all aspects of Swedish life to push back an invasion from an unspecified foreign adversary — but one that sounds suspiciously like Europe’s biggest bogeyman in Moscow.
In an exclusive interview with Defense News during a recent visit to Washington, Defence Commission head Bjorn von Sydow and commission secretariat chief Tommy Akesson explained their vision for revitalizing Sweden’s defense infrastructure — one they believe must enable the country to hold out against a major invasion for three months.
“When we say civil defense, we mean all civil activities in society, including medical care, including shelters of course, including private companies, everything. Local communities and all their obligations,” Akesson said. “It’s a total mobilization of the country and planning for how to put all forces in society in the direction of solving, in the worst case, a military attack.”......
Fortress Sweden: Inside the plan to mobilize Swedish society against Russia
WASHINGTON — Roughly 220 miles of ocean separates Sweden from the heavily militarized Russian port of Kaliningrad.
WASHINGTON — Roughly 220 miles of ocean separates Sweden from the heavily militarized Russian port of Kaliningrad.
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https://www.politico.eu/article/swed...rship-dilemma/
Sweden edges closer to NATO membership
STOCKHOLM — Sweden is rethinking its security, and whether it really is safest outside NATO.
Two years out from the next election, debate over whether to join the Western defense alliance is intensifying, setting up a left-versus-right clash on the question in 2022.
The current minority government of Social Democrats and Greens — plus their allies the Left Party — remain staunchly against, citing the value of neutrality in what they see as a polarizing world. On the other side, four traditionally allied center-right parties — the Moderate Party, the Liberals, the Center Party and the Christian Democrats — are in favor, saying Sweden needs the security of the defense guarantees that NATO membership offers.
The pro-NATO side scored a big win last week when the far-right Sweden Democrats, who are angling for closer cooperation with the center-right bloc in a range of policy areas, reversed a previous anti-NATO stance and backed a motion for Sweden to adopt a so-called NATO option — allowing it to join NATO at some point in the future. Parliament voted in favor of the motion by 204 votes to 145.
“Issues of defense don’t normally sit high on the agenda in elections here, but since the Sweden Democrats have now moved their position, we could well see more interest,” said Allan Widman, a lawmaker with the Liberal Party and spokesman on defense policy.
Adopting a “NATO option” is not a commitment to join — Finland has had such an option since 1995 and remains outside the pact — but is widely seen as a movement in that direction. The government has acknowledged as much by so far refusing to act on it.
Foreign Minister Ann Linde called parliamentary backing for the move “a significant negative event for Swedish security.”.......
Sweden edges closer to NATO membership
STOCKHOLM — Sweden is rethinking its security, and whether it really is safest outside NATO.
Two years out from the next election, debate over whether to join the Western defense alliance is intensifying, setting up a left-versus-right clash on the question in 2022.
The current minority government of Social Democrats and Greens — plus their allies the Left Party — remain staunchly against, citing the value of neutrality in what they see as a polarizing world. On the other side, four traditionally allied center-right parties — the Moderate Party, the Liberals, the Center Party and the Christian Democrats — are in favor, saying Sweden needs the security of the defense guarantees that NATO membership offers.
The pro-NATO side scored a big win last week when the far-right Sweden Democrats, who are angling for closer cooperation with the center-right bloc in a range of policy areas, reversed a previous anti-NATO stance and backed a motion for Sweden to adopt a so-called NATO option — allowing it to join NATO at some point in the future. Parliament voted in favor of the motion by 204 votes to 145.
“Issues of defense don’t normally sit high on the agenda in elections here, but since the Sweden Democrats have now moved their position, we could well see more interest,” said Allan Widman, a lawmaker with the Liberal Party and spokesman on defense policy.
Adopting a “NATO option” is not a commitment to join — Finland has had such an option since 1995 and remains outside the pact — but is widely seen as a movement in that direction. The government has acknowledged as much by so far refusing to act on it.
Foreign Minister Ann Linde called parliamentary backing for the move “a significant negative event for Swedish security.”.......
I think this would have tp be passed by a significant majority in a referendum to be adopted . A lot of Swedes are uneasy about changing a very central policy that they've lived with for 70 years
It would be like the UK leaving NATO..... +
It would be like the UK leaving NATO..... +
This article was in The Times on Monday.
Sweden upgrades military as it considers joining Nato
Article intro:-
Click the link for remainder & photos.
Sweden upgrades military as it considers joining Nato
Article intro:-
Sweden is making the biggest upgrade to its armed forces in more than half a century and debating whether to join Nato in response to a burst of Russian military activity around the Baltic, the north Atlantic and the Arctic Circle.
Troop numbers will rise from 60,000 to 90,000 over the next four years and annual defence spending will increase by 40 per cent to £7.2 billion, or about 1.5 per cent of GDP, under a budget passed by MPs on Wednesday.
The country’s long-held principle of non-alignment is also coming into question after a majority of parliamentarians voted for the first time in favour of considering Nato membership.
Troop numbers will rise from 60,000 to 90,000 over the next four years and annual defence spending will increase by 40 per cent to £7.2 billion, or about 1.5 per cent of GDP, under a budget passed by MPs on Wednesday.
The country’s long-held principle of non-alignment is also coming into question after a majority of parliamentarians voted for the first time in favour of considering Nato membership.
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Earlier today, Swedish and Norwegian fighter aircraft escorted B-52 bombers from @usairforce over Norwegian territory. This is the first time we release photos showing the three nations together on a mission like this.
https://www.iceye.com/press/press-re...-constellation
Helsinki, FINLAND – August 18, 2022 – ICEYE, the global leader in persistent monitoring with radar satellite imaging, has signed a contract with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation which will provide the Government of Ukraine with ICEYE’s Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imaging capabilities.
As part of the agreement, ICEYE will transfer full capabilities of one of its SAR satellites already in orbit for the Government of Ukraine’s use over the region. The SAR satellite will be operated by ICEYE. In addition, ICEYE will provide access to its constellation of SAR satellites, allowing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to receive radar satellite imagery on critical locations with a high revisit frequency…..
https://www.iceye.com/press/press-re...-constellation
Helsinki, FINLAND – August 18, 2022 – ICEYE, the global leader in persistent monitoring with radar satellite imaging, has signed a contract with the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation which will provide the Government of Ukraine with ICEYE’s Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite imaging capabilities.
As part of the agreement, ICEYE will transfer full capabilities of one of its SAR satellites already in orbit for the Government of Ukraine’s use over the region. The SAR satellite will be operated by ICEYE. In addition, ICEYE will provide access to its constellation of SAR satellites, allowing the Ukrainian Armed Forces to receive radar satellite imagery on critical locations with a high revisit frequency…..
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NEW: The US and Sweden have signed a new military cooperation agreement to secure Sweden's borders during the NATO application period - SVT
Hitler sounded the death knell for the concept of 'neutral' countries. Other than Sweden and Switzerland (the former because he could be certain of it supplying his iron ore needs, the latter to launder his stolen Jewish and plundered nations' gold) he overran all the other 'neutral' countries in his path, stopping short only at Spain, Portugal, and Ireland on the Atlantic coasts. Ukraine is a terrible warning to any country that thinks it can remain 'neutral' in today's world. The Finns and Swedes have realised that. Others need to take careful note, lest they be in Putin's little black book...
JOKE
I can’t help thinking: NATO should have named this week’s exercises “Frequent Finger” or “Deployed Digit”.
I can only imagine the Military pundits on Fox, CNN ect. trying to say that without laughing.
The Russian reaction and their. “TV Commentators” outrage would be hilarious. They could hold exercise “Wagging Wang” in retaliation.
JOKE OVER.
I can’t help thinking: NATO should have named this week’s exercises “Frequent Finger” or “Deployed Digit”.
I can only imagine the Military pundits on Fox, CNN ect. trying to say that without laughing.
The Russian reaction and their. “TV Commentators” outrage would be hilarious. They could hold exercise “Wagging Wang” in retaliation.
JOKE OVER.
Weird beyond words...
So, from a curious online source comes a comment attributed purportedly to our favourite "shoot my uncle with a ZSU 57" leader.
From one dear leader to another...
"Let them not forget that we have the power to completely wipe Russia, which thinks its power is a great nuclear power, from the map in one night. Russia should leave Ukraine as soon as possible and should not talk about its nuclear threat again, we can use all our nuclear power on Russia," The Real Dear Leader.
MNKGAA! "Make North Korea Great, Again, Again".
If true, we have slipped into a Salvador Dali-esque reality. Could be Xi getting word out about displeasure.
From one dear leader to another...
"Let them not forget that we have the power to completely wipe Russia, which thinks its power is a great nuclear power, from the map in one night. Russia should leave Ukraine as soon as possible and should not talk about its nuclear threat again, we can use all our nuclear power on Russia," The Real Dear Leader.
MNKGAA! "Make North Korea Great, Again, Again".
If true, we have slipped into a Salvador Dali-esque reality. Could be Xi getting word out about displeasure.
So, from a curious online source comes a comment attributed purportedly to our favourite "shoot my uncle with a ZSU 57" leader.
From one dear leader to another...
"Let them not forget that we have the power to completely wipe Russia, which thinks its power is a great nuclear power, from the map in one night. Russia should leave Ukraine as soon as possible and should not talk about its nuclear threat again, we can use all our nuclear power on Russia," The Real Dear Leader.
MNKGAA! "Make North Korea Great, Again, Again".
If true, we have slipped into a Salvador Dali-esque reality. Could be Xi getting word out about displeasure.
From one dear leader to another...
"Let them not forget that we have the power to completely wipe Russia, which thinks its power is a great nuclear power, from the map in one night. Russia should leave Ukraine as soon as possible and should not talk about its nuclear threat again, we can use all our nuclear power on Russia," The Real Dear Leader.
MNKGAA! "Make North Korea Great, Again, Again".
If true, we have slipped into a Salvador Dali-esque reality. Could be Xi getting word out about displeasure.
You: “I think I will install a monitored home alarm and cameras due to the rise of vicious Home Invasions in the area!”
Local gang of vicious Home Invaders: “Don’t you dare install a Home Alarm. Terrible consequences will follow!”
You: “Thank you for your valued input. If you don’t like the home alarm you are definitely not going to like the optional “Home Defence Package” I have selected. My house, my rules.”
Local gang of vicious Home Invaders: “Don’t you dare install a Home Alarm. Terrible consequences will follow!”
You: “Thank you for your valued input. If you don’t like the home alarm you are definitely not going to like the optional “Home Defence Package” I have selected. My house, my rules.”
i could see a case where N Korea might say something like the fdr thread
They're not threatening to nuke Russia - they're reminding Xi that anyone who thinks they can do a Putin on NK will face serious damage. Now who could that be?? Big neighbour, exasperated by small country next door.................
They're not threatening to nuke Russia - they're reminding Xi that anyone who thinks they can do a Putin on NK will face serious damage. Now who could that be?? Big neighbour, exasperated by small country next door.................
i could see a case where N Korea might say something like the fdr thread
They're not threatening to nuke Russia - they're reminding Xi that anyone who thinks they can do a Putin on NK will face serious damage. Now who could that be?? Big neighbour, exasperated by small country next door.................
They're not threatening to nuke Russia - they're reminding Xi that anyone who thinks they can do a Putin on NK will face serious damage. Now who could that be?? Big neighbour, exasperated by small country next door.................
IMO China has no need to "do a Putin". The PLA can stay at home.
When it is expedient to control NK and the current Supreme Leader is not behaving he or she will simply be removed, and replaced by a better educated Grandest of all Leaders I would be very surprised if the CCP does not have quite sufficient agents in powerful but subordinate ranks in NK to effect a 'heart attack", or a falling from horse event.
N
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
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GREAT WALL OF FINLAND: Finnish politicians have announced plans to construct a wall along the border with Russia. The barrier is set to cover 260 km of the country's 1300 km shared border with neighboring Russia and will be completed within five years.
well it says "Fencing" - so if its just a fence it won't be a great trip wire - now if it's ditches etc I can see the point - anything that forces you off road in that terrain will slow you down big time.
I'm not sure the Fin's need this. Last time Russia sent troops over the border they lost 50,000 killed and I'm not sure Russia will ,have that many troops going spare any time soon.
yeah but the Russians won in the end remember 