(Image via wsj.com)

Staff Writer: Denise Badilla

Email: dbadilla@umassd.edu

Sweden has officially joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, or NATO, breaking their 200-year-old neutrality policy. 

Their policy of neutrality was adopted following Sweden’s involvement in the Napoleonic wars. Their terrible defeat at the hands of Russian forces resulted in the loss of a third of their country’s territory and Finland, which was then still under Swedish rule. 

This neutrality shifted to a military non-alignment policy in the 20th century throughout the world wars, where they opted to use their diplomacy to facilitate international peacekeeping and cooperative security arrangements. 

Despite not being an official member, they were also one of the most active partners in many nonviolent NATO-led missions, such as the support mission in Afghanistan, the peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo, and the non-combat advisory and capacity-building mission in Iraq.

Both Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO in May of 2022, approximately three months after Russia invaded Ukraine, due to rising safety and economic concerns, given their geographical proximity to the aggressors. 

Russia has also been increasing its maritime presence in the Baltic Sea, which poses a significant threat to surrounding countries, including Sweden.

Because of the rising tensions, Swedish citizens were more inclined to favor joining NATO, polling at 68% in 2022-2023, a big jump from 30% during 2019 polls.

Finland was officially inducted into the transatlantic alliance in April of 2023 as NATO’s 31st member, less than a year after their application. 

Sweden’s application had taken longer to process due to opposition from Turkey and Hungary, the two countries citing past issues and grievances that still needed to be settled. 

President Joe Biden officially announced Sweden’s membership as the 32nd country to join NATO at his State of the Union address held on March 7th, where Sweden Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson was present as a guest of honor. 

“Mr. Prime Minister, welcome to NATO, the strongest military alliance the world has ever seen.” Biden warmly greeted the Swedish Prime Minister.

NATO’s Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, also shared positive sentiments about Sweden’s accession:

“Sweden’s accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer and the whole alliance more secure, the move demonstrates that NATO’s door remains open and that every nation has the right to choose its own path.” 

With Sweden’s official induction, NATO members now encircle most of the Baltic Sea, giving the alliance a huge geopolitical boost. Their placement would hinder Russia’s Baltic Sea fleet and provide them with access to essential pipelines and cables on the seabed.

Sweden also brings to the table a military-industrial complex capable of developing some of the world’s most high-technology automatic weapons, aircraft, submarines, and various other heavy artillery. 

These include the Saab JAS 39 Gripen single-engine supersonic fighters, Carl Gustav recoilless rifles, AT4 shoulder-fired anti-tank weapons, Gotland-class submarines, and RBS15 anti-ship missiles.

With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and their unrelenting aggression since then, European countries have steadily been leaning towards defensive militarization efforts, with Sweden joining NATO having intentions of the same nature. 

Recently, European leaders’ primary objectives have been attaining strategic autonomy and organizing coordinated measures against Russia. Sweden’s inclusion further solidifies this united front, demonstrating a collective resolve to ensure regional stability.

Sweden has steered through turbulent times of conflict with a dedication to maintaining peace using diplomacy throughout history. 

However, given the current state of geopolitics, particularly in light of Russia’s actions, a change to a more collective security strategy is imperative. 

This action is a turning point in Sweden’s history. It reflects the dynamic nature of international alliances and the nation’s will to change to maintain security and stability in the face of modern threats.