TURNING THE PAGE ON NON-ALIGNMENT
Sweden has not been involved in a war, including World War II, since the Napoleonic conflicts of the early 19th century.
But Finland and Sweden launched a joint bid after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, which had unsuccessfully sought to join NATO – which considers an attack on one member an attack on all.
Finland successfully joined in April 2023.
Sweden’s candidacy stalled due to an assertive push by Türkiye, which demanded that Stockholm, known for its liberal asylum policies, crack down on Kurdish militants who have campaigned against Ankara.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan later demanded action after protesters, enjoying Swedish laws on free speech, desecrated Islam’s holy book the Koran.
In a clear if unstated sweetener, the United States dangled the prospect of F-16 warplanes to Türkiye, which has faced the wrath of US sanctions over a major military purchase from Russia.
The Biden administration in January approved US$23 billion in F-16 warplanes to Türkiye swiftly after it ratified Sweden’s membership.
The United States simultaneously pushed ahead with US$8.6 billion in more advanced F-35 jets for Greece, a fellow NATO member that has a historic rivalry and frequent tensions with Türkiye.
Even with Türkiye’s blessing, Sweden faced another obstacle as it needed the approval of a last country – Hungary, whose nationalist prime minister, Viktor Orban, has often thumbed his nose at Western allies.
The Hungarian parliament ratified Sweden’s membership on February 26. But in one last hiccup, Hungary could not formally sign the accession document due to a brief absence in the mostly ceremonial post of president, after an Orban ally resigned in a scandal over pardoning a convicted child abuser’s accomplice.
A recent poll by Swedish broadcaster SR said that most Swedes believe the country made too many sacrifices to join NATO, although more than three-quarters believed NATO would strengthen the country’s security.
Source: CNA
