Thursday, January 04, 2018

Paradise Lost

While it is nice that Sweden is waking up to the fact that they live in a dangerous neighborhood (thanks Russia!), they are not NATO-worthy yet.

Yes, it is great that Sweden is starting the long road back to being able to defend themselves and that membership in NATO is being debated there:

“Step by step,” says the defense minister, Peter Hultqvist. “Step by step, we are developing our military capability.” (He might say redeveloping.) Sweden is adjusting to the new realities of the region. ...

In Sweden, people speak of the “Hultqvist Doctrine.” This stands for more defense, greater preparedness. It also stands for ever closer relations with the United States, Finland, and NATO, while Sweden remains outside NATO.

Sweden needs to take many more defense steps before NATO can consider Sweden for NATO protection.

NATO simply can't extend its still too-small umbrella that far northeast to Sweden to formally pledge a common defense.

Although Sweden has taken one important step by ordering Gotland Island garrisoned again.

So it would be wise to plan for the day when Sweden is worthy of membership and NATO can credibly extend a defense guarantee.