Sweden to join NATO, what does that mean?

[AviatorTom]

In 2024, Sweden is set to join NATO, now that Hungary and Turkey have dropped their original opposition. Here's a story about it...

Sweden to finally enter NATO: Europe’s 2024 preview

This will mean that all of the Scandinavian countries will be part of NATO, which Russia my interpret as a threat.

What do you think this will mean? More peace, or the possibility of war?

[Soteris]

What a shame. From my point of view, as a Swedish person, this is Sweden taking on more responsibilities and costs for nothing in return. Sweden is not under threat from any outside enemy currently and the only theoretical enemy would be Russia which is currently self-destructing itself in Ukraine. Joining NATO now simply means we will have to lose some control over our budget and military as well as have defense obligations around the world which might drag us into a world war that we had no part in and in exchange we get... nothing...

Not the brightest powerplay my country has ever done, but I do understand why. People are scared and acting irrationally or perhaps just because they do not have understanding of the topic.

From a global perspective this is more of a propaganda win. While Sweden would strengthen NATO and especially its stranglehold in the Baltic Sea its not like it matters. NATO is already overmatching any possible opponent it could face several times over so adding a bit more on top is like launching a rocket salvo after already nuking the place. There is such a thing as too much overkill.

[lightbulb27]

you know Russia wants your stockpile of meatballs...
And access to the plans to build your movie theatres...
Welcome to NATO... if someone else is attacked, you will be dedicated to go signup for war. Why not take command and attempt to signup the whole world into NATO?

[Soteris]

@lightbulb27 Russia is positively unable to enact a naval invasion, which is the most difficult military operation we have right now and not even USA has the expertise and equipment to re-enact D-Day without having to start over developing those capabilities from scratch. Why on earth should Sweden be afraid of Russia in light of that? What could they POSSIBLY do? The only threat Sweden had from Russia was a potential invasion through conquering Finland, which is now in NATO, thus making the point moot.

[lightbulb27]

I've taken a train through Sweden and I can say difinitively, I agree... no idea what they are thinking.
Be easier to subvertively take over IKEA via Russian spies...
Maybe your leaders really have gone "meatballs..."?
What are they smoking?
I will say though, that is one very long coast to invade... good grief...
My personal guess..."under the table goodies like money, technology deals, access to cool equipment at discount prices and such", and continued sales of "bang bang" equipment to NATO.

[RebelinSteel]

It means a HUGE shift in dynamics around the Baltic, coupled with Finland and Baltic States, the Cold War threat to Norway has pretty much been removed. There have been a large number of exercises carried out with both Sweden and Finland. Pre 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the thought of Sweden and Finland joining NATO was something most people never expected to happen. The UK signed a mutual defence treaty in July 2022 ahead of any NATO membership, we now have various forces out in both Sweden and Finland (along with Baltic States). The use of Gotland is also expected to increase and the use of that ‘fortress’ made available to other NATO forces. While Sweden joining NATO is great, Finland joining is an even bigger step forward. Finland are also employing F35 A and this increase joint operational capability. The UK have been operating with the Finnish Airforce and ground forces throughout 2023 and have more things in the mix for 2024. Both the Swedes and Finns are brilliant at what they do.

[northerngal]

Well the Russians only have their selves to blame. Russian aggression and adventurism has forced the Swedes hand to seek greater protection through NATO. If Russia behaved like a legitimate member of the international community and not an outlaw state there would be no NATO expansion.

[SeymourBill420]

Russians don't only have themselves to blame. They have kiev to blame for between 2014 and when Russia went in to help the three breakaway republics in eastern Ukraine after they declared an independence and kiev of didn't recognize this for several reasons, but, you didn't hear about Kiev bombing apartment blocks between 2014 and when Russia went in from your news. You didn't know anything about all the grandmas that are standing and crying and talking in Ukrainian or Russian because their apartment blocked just got destroyed by kiev. Russia had to go into protect those people. That is my ancest real Homeland right there eastern Ukraine that used to be Russia. And the government in Kiev is just nothing but Nazis. Ukraine is the poorest country in the world because of their government.

[Anonymous]

Seems to me when I was in Sweden, I was told a story by a guy whose sister lived on the coast... a Russian submarine surfaced in front of her house, and it caused a big international scandal because "Oops. We were there by accident." No, you were just caught.

[Soteris]

Yeah that was pretty funny but it kind of just highlights how little of a threat Russia actually is. Their navy is not exactly.. how should I say this.. competent.

[SeymourBill420]

What does that mean? That means more probable Warren destruction and wasted taxpayer dollars is exactly what that means. That means one step closer to world war III is what that means. That means a face palm moment because that means that another country is believing lies and stupidity by NATO. And also who is out of touch with history. And also it means they support Liars because that's what NATO is. And that also means that that country loves war and loves to give money to the military industrial complex because that's who backs NATO. And the only existence of NATO is war.

[Jessica405]

Nato is not a threat to Russia, or any other country. Russia only calls it a threat to justify its own aggressive behaviour.

[Juxtapose]

NATO was literally formed to oppose the Soviet Union and has been a thorn in Russia's side ever since.

[Jessica405]

@Juxtapose I think oppose is the wrong word. I believe it is to form maximum power in case of a threat from Russia.

[Juxtapose]

Then why is NATO getting all up in Russia's border like they tried to do with Ukraine? And then the USA or NATO itself bombs the Nord pipeline and tries to say Russia bombed its own pipeline..

[Jessica405]

@Juxtapose No one knows who bombed the pipeline.

The countries on the borders of Russia simply do not want to be invaded like Ukraine has. They want to preserve what democracy they have. It is safer for them to be in Nato.

[SeymourBill420]

I understand that you're only 29 years old. But you definitely need to learn world history.

Nato is definitely a threat to Russia!!!

If you know about the history of NATO, who only became a thing in the late 1940s. And if you know that Germany was partitioned since world war II. Nato assumed West germany. And the Russians were in East Germany.
And then right about the time of the fall of the Berlin wall, NATO made a promise to Russia that it would "not move one inch Eastward of the Western unified German border."
And then, oh wow, NATO lied. Guess who is just Eastward of germany? Poland... And where is nato? In Poland!
And then, look at all the other former Soviet republics that NATO had gobbled up since that also border Russia. Which they're also trying to get into belarus. Which is why there is talk several years ago of election meddling by the United States in belarus. So, Russia has not moved any far Westward of their borders. But NATO has moved way far of their borders. So, how do you think that a military organization is not a threat, when they've moved closer to the Russian border since they've been organized? I don't understand how you have this thinking. Even a baby can figure it out.

But, if you don't think NATO is a threat, then just ask Muammar Gaddafi. Ask the citizens of Bosnia who got most of their country stolen from NATO's help. And there is definitely a list load more examples that NATO is a huge threat to anything and anybody. When you're a bully. You're a major threat to everyone and that's what NATO is.

[Jessica405]

@SeymourBill420 I know most of that. The fact is Russia is more of a threat to other countries than Nato is to Russia.

[Jessica405]

... otherwise it would not be in Ukraine, or threatening Georgia

[Juxtapose]

Russia would not be messing with Ukraine to begin with if it was not for NATO trying to bring them in.

[Jessica405]

@Juxtapose Which shows that membership of Nato was necessary. What Russia is doing is making its border closer to Nato. Something Russia did not want.

[Juxtapose]

🤦

No, Russia would have left Ukraine alone completely but NATO had to step in and that's where all this trouble started. Do not remember the Cuban missile crisis or do you think the USA should have just taken that?

[Jessica405]

@Juxtapose It still brings Russia's border closer to Nato. It is about 10 years since the invasion of Crimea.

[Juxtapose]

Yeah.. cus of NATO.

[DryGermanGuy]

It mostly just means closing the last military-political gap in Northern Europe. With Finland being already a member it's not that decisive with regard to a larger NATO-Russia border. Russia will huff and puff and have to suck it up.

[Anonymous]

It means us troops and airbases on a very large open part of the Russian boarder. There's a lot artic training in the us that's been going on for the last few years.

[DryGermanGuy]

Sweden has no border with Russia, not even in the North, where Norway has a small border with Russia.

[Opinion Owner]

@DryGermanGuy the Nordic countries have been cooperating together for decades in their own alliance like NATO called the Nordic Defence Cooperation so even if Sweden wasn't part of NATO if Finland was attacked by Russia they'd be obligated to help defend Finland.
Sweden being part of NATO lends a lot of regional support such as military access, military access being that you can move your military across their boarders freely.

[Staximus]

Why does this dumb map say there are 54 US military bases in Guam? What idiot made this? Guam is a tiny island, there isn't even room for 54 military bases. There is literally one navy base and one air force base.

[Forceinhand]

It means my country is taking apt measures to combat the Russian threat by weighing up for our complete lack of a decent military defense. Without powerful backing Sweden could at maximum hold out for a few months against the Russian bohemoth. Had our politics had a lick of sense in decades past and refrained from demilitarizing, things would've been different, but as they are, we need to mutually assured defense pact NATO offers.

[rigmarole]

Feminists are now on the front line. Fortress Europa is lost if the WEF ever ends up in a kinetic war.

[msc545]

More sales of military hardware (that we paid for) to Sweden increasing the profits for US executives and shareholders and politicians.

[KrakenAttackin]

@msc545. Actually, the Swedes make fucking awesome weapons, but they are otherwise total pussies.

[msc545]

@KrakenAttackin I didn't know that at all! What do they make if you know?

[KrakenAttackin]

Fuck yes, the Swedes make all the Bofors guns. The 57mm Bofors is mounted on most smaller U. S. ships, and it's deadly AF. The Swedes make a variety of anti tank/bunker munitions that are used by all U. S. ground forces. Also, the Swedes make specialty ammunition for various applications.

[msc545]

@KrakenAttackin That is very interesting - thanks for telling me. I learned something today!

[msc545]

en.wikipedia.org/.../70 ?

[KrakenAttackin]

There are excellent YouTube videos of this gun kicking ass.

[msc545]

@KrakenAttackin You have some links?

[KrakenAttackin]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rldn9Hvzih4

[msc545]

@KrakenAttackin Thanks - that is a scary gun!

[HouseMoat]

It means NATO is not only not dead, it's getting stronger

Exactly what trump didn't say. FUCKING idiot

[Twalli]

Russia can't do anything about it because they're still tied up in Ukraine.

[FreyaRed]

Baltic sea becomes lake NATO.

[zagor]

Russia brought it on on themselves. Before their current aggression Sweden and Finland would likely have never felt it was needed.

[KrakenAttackin]

Maybe if enough countries join NATO the U. S. forces can finally leave Europe. The Pacific rim is the real area of concern for the U. S.

[Aegithalos]

Sweden just focusing on how to protect their territory against the possibility of Russian/Slavic invasion. Because Sweden is the next after Ukraine. And they aware of that.

[MysticDevice]

Means the Vikings have chosen a side. Lord help the Ruskies cause Odin won't.

[AnusNdaPainus]

Definitely war.
unless there is something that the public is unaware of

[AngryCarl]

It means Russia doesn't get to fuck with them.

[exitseven]

NATO spelled backwards is OTAN.

[Guido]

Hopefully it sends a string message to Russia.

[butterly248]

Sweden and Finland didn't want to join NATO

[butterly248]

Putin is to blame and they are protecting their neighbours

[SeymourBill420]

Putin is definitely not to blame. I would blame zielinsky, I would blame Joe biden, I would blame George Soros, I would blame Hunter Biden and I would blame Hillary Clinton and probably more members of the Clinton family. That's who's to blame. Not Vladimir Putin.

[RebelinSteel]

@SeymourBill420 Putin is 100% to blame, one of his reason for invading Ukraine, was not to have NATO moving further East. At the time he started this all off, NATO spending was at an all time low, a number of countries were looking to leave NATO and form a more European centric EU force. Sweden and Finland did not want to join, Sweden wanted to remain Neutral. Putin very ill judged invasion and aggression drove everyone around the area to either join NATO or work more closely.
Before the war, there were not NATO troops in Finland, now there are. That rests solely with Putin. End of.

[RedInnocent68]

That Russia shit the bed.

[Pohjolan]

Hopefully Gripens for Ukraine.

[Anonymous]

Its about freaking time.