Map of the geographic situation of Nord Baltic Eight countries. Nordic countries (Demark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) are painted in blue and Baltic countries (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) are painted in green. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
By Edward Lucas, European Voice, March 14, 2103
Look at a map and the case for closer co-operation between NATO and its non-member neighbours Finland and Sweden seems obvious. Like the alliance’s most vulnerable members, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, they have problems with Russia. By virtue of their membership of the European Union, both Finland and Sweden are committed to collective defence of a kind. Close co-operation with NATO simply makes it more effective. The shibboleths about non-alignment and neutrality look anachronistic… (more)
Related articles
- Finland becomes Estonia’s biggest export and import partner (shaan.typepad.com)
- Large NATO Exercise to Take Place in Baltics in Fall (brucekanderson.com)
Bruce K. Anderson 
Pingback: How the Nordic Countries Are Quietly Leading the Alliance into the Future | Bruce K. Anderson
Risky “NATO’s Nordic Model”
There is a risky confusion in Magnus Nordeman’s column “How the Nordic Countries Are Quietly Leading Alliance into the Future”. And it is also echoed in Jorge Benitez’ report “NATO’s Nordic Model”. Recently Edward Lucas’ “A Nordic defensive shield” argued in the same way.
Nordeman first correctly reports the achievements of the Nordic countries in various fields. Their contributions in Afghanistan, Libya or even in Mali are described and thanked – with good reasons.
A Nordic observer is also happy to read about NATO’s Smart Defense and about the fact that “the Nordics have quietly been working under this approach for years under the label Nordic Defense Cooperation (NORDEFCO).” So far so good.
But Nordeman then goes on taking as given something he has been advocating: “This construct could potentially be a real model for NATO as it thinks through how to implement smart defense at a regional level, and how to work closely with partners….” Sweden and Finland “have signed on to participate in Icelandic air policing, although flying unarmed to satisfy the reservations of some Allies about having non-NATO countries participating in an Article V operation.”
First there was certain academic confusion between NATO’s cooperation with partners on the one hand and cooperation under Article V on the other. But now this loose wording has become a habit also on the highest political levels in the Nordic countries. And now this way of speaking has hit its first rock in the case of the Icelandic air policing operation.
With blue eyes first from Norway and then from Iceland, Sweden and Finland it was declared that the two partner countries should participate the Article V based real life Icelandic air policing. Any informed person could see how impossible it was from the outset. But against the fundamentals of diplomacy the two governments decided to be demandeurs and to hear the rejection from NATO itself.
In the Nordic-Baltic region the confusion between partners’ cooperation and Article V cooperation is increasing. Quite recently Swedish Foreign Minister, Carl Bildt said that Sweden will “not be neutral” if any of the Baltic states is attacked. With all respect, this is much said from a country disarming itself. The earlier formulation was that Sweden will “not remain passive”.
No wonder in this case the NATO realism was quite quickly communicated to Sweden by Defense Minister Anne-Grete Strøm-Erichsen of Norway: “it is uncertain whether Norway will help if Sweden is attacked because they are not members of NATO….”
It is true that Foreign Minister Bildt complemented his statement by saying that “Sweden is not looking to replace NATO or the cooperation the US has with the Baltic states”. But this is exactly the point.
Together with extensive member-partner exercises loose talk confusing partner cooperation and Article V cooperation is simply counterproductive to the Post Cold war stability in the Nordic-Baltic region. It creates expectations not only in the Nordic-Baltic countries but in the US and in Russia on what is now happening and what could happen in real life in future.
Loose talk like that of Nordeman’s can contribute misjudgments not only among analysts but also among political decision makers. At the time of austerity in the US military it gives an extra argument to leave the High North and Highest North stability to the hands of the imaginary Nordic-Baltic cooperation in a real situation. And at the time of booming Russian military economy, it gives an extra argument to Russia to counterbalance regionally against imaginary Nordic-Baltic “real model for NATO”. So the net effect could be shaking the stability reached at after the Cold War – complemented with the local cuts in defense budgets also helped by the loose talk confusing partners’ and Article V cooperation.
The Nordic-Baltic region risks to become a box of accidental side effects of major strategic decisions due to the complacent loose thinking and talk – and its small weight and complex geography or history.
However, it is important to recognize that the European High North and the Globe’s Highest North together are not just one detail among the others. The US commitments to the Baltic countries are not just some post WW II relics. It was from the beginning of the WW II in 1939 that the US committed to their independence. In 1997 president Clinton repeated the commitment through reaching an agreement with president Jeltsin on the NATO –membership of the Baltic countries. And on the real map of the Globe the Highest North linked to the European High North is next to home yard not only for Canada but also of for the US.
So, the better way to approach the Northern Europe and the Highest North is to take real map of the Globe. And to see that there the post Cold War commitments and stability based on them are continuously in everybody’s interest – also in the interest of the US and Russia.
Risto Volanen
Finland
Again, thank you for the interesting and thoughtful comment.
Hi there, after reading this remarkable piece of writing i am too
glad to share my experience here with friends.
It’s an awesome article in favor of all the online users; they will obtain advantage from it I am sure.
Hey there! I’ve been reading your site for some time now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you
a shout out from Austin Texas! Just wanted to mention keep up the
great work!
Hello my loved one! I wish to say that this post is awesome,
nice written and include almost all significant infos.
I would like to peer more posts like this .
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful post. Thanks for
supplying these details.
Hello there! This is my first visit to your blog!
We are a team of volunteers and starting a new initiative in a community in the
same niche. Your blog provided us valuable information to work on.
You have done a wonderful job!
I have been browsing online more than 2 hours today, yet
I never found any interesting article like yours.
It is pretty worth enough for me. In my view, if all webmasters
and bloggers made good content as you did, the web will be much more useful than ever before.|
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Very well written!|
I will immediately grab your rss feed as I can not in finding your
email subscription hyperlink or e-newsletter service.
Do you have any? Please allow me understand in order that I could subscribe.
Thanks.|
It’s perfect time to make some plans for the future and it is time to be happy.
I’ve read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or suggestions.
Perhaps you can write next articles referring
to this article. I wish to read more things about it!|
It’s appropriate time to make a few plans for the future and
it is time to be happy. I’ve learn this publish and if I
may I wish to recommend you some attention-grabbing things
or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles regarding this article.
I wish to read more things approximately it!|
I’ve been browsing on-line more than three hours these days,
yet I by no means discovered any interesting article
like yours. It is pretty price enough for me.
In my view, if all webmasters and bloggers made good content as you probably did, the
net shall be much more helpful than ever before.|
Ahaa, its pleasant conversation about this paragraph at this place
at this webpage, I have read all that, so at this time me also commenting here.|
I am sure this paragraph has touched all the
internet people, its really really pleasant post on building up new weblog.|
Wow, this article is good, my younger sister is
analyzing these things, thus I am going to inform
her.|
Saved as a favorite, I like your web site!|
Way cool! Some very valid points! I appreciate you writing this
post and also the rest of the website is really good.|
Hi, I do think this is a great website. I stumbledupon it 😉 I may come back once again since i
have book-marked it. Money and freedom is the best way to change, may you be rich and continue to
help other people.|
Woah! I’m really digging the template/theme of this website.
It’s simple, yet effective. A lot of times it’s very hard to get that “perfect balance” between user friendliness and appearance.
I must say you’ve done a excellent job with this. Also, the blog loads extremely quick for me on Internet explorer.
Outstanding Blog!|
These are genuinely enormous ideas in concerning blogging.
You have touched some good factors here. Any way keep up wrinting.|
I like what you guys tend to be up too. Such clever work and reporting!
Keep up the awesome works guys I’ve incorporated you guys to
my personal blogroll.|
Hi! Someone in my Myspace group shared this
website with us so I came to look it over. I’m definitely enjoying the information.
I’m book-marking and will be tweeting this to my followers!
Exceptional blog and excellent design.|
I really like what you guys are up too. This sort of clever
work and reporting! Keep up the good works guys I’ve included you guys to our blogroll.|
Hi would you mind sharing which blog platform you’re working with?
I’m going to start my own blog in the near future but I’m having a difficult time deciding between
BlogEngine/Wordpress/B2evolution and Drupal. The reason I
ask is because your design and style seems different then most blogs and I’m looking for something completely unique.
P.S My apologies for getting off-topic but I had to ask!|
Howdy would you mind letting me know which hosting company you’re using?
I’ve loaded your blog in 3 different internet browsers and I must say this blog loads a lot faster then
most. Can you recommend a good web hosting provider at a reasonable
price? Thanks a lot, I appreciate it!|
I really like it whenever people come together and share opinions.
Great blog, stick with it!|
Thank you for the good writeup. It in fact was a amusement account
it. Look advanced to far added agreeable from you!
By the way, how could we communicate?|
Howdy just wanted to give you a quick heads up. The text in your post seem to be running
off the screen in Chrome. I’m not sure if this is a formatting issue or something to do with browser compatibility but I figured I’d post to let
you know. The layout look great though! Hope you
get the problem solved soon. Kudos|
This is a topic which is near to my heart…
Cheers! Exactly where are your contact details though?|
It’s very easy to find out any topic on web as compared
to textbooks, as I found this paragraph at this web page.|
Does your blog have a contact page? I’m
having trouble locating it but, I’d like to send
you an e-mail. I’ve got some ideas for your blog you might
be interested in hearing. Either way, great website and I look forward to seeing it improve over time.|
Hey there! I’ve been following your blog for a long time
now and finally got the bravery to go ahead and give you a shout out from Dallas
Tx! Just wanted to tell you keep up the good job!|
Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored to tears
at work so I decided to browse your website on my iphone
during lunch break. I really like the info you provide
here and can’t wait to take a look when I get home.
I’m surprised at how fast your blog loaded on my mobile ..
I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .. Anyhow, fantastic site!|
Its such as you learn my thoughts! You appear to grasp so much about this, like you wrote the e-book in it or something.
I believe that you could do with some percent to
power the message house a bit, but instead of that, that is magnificent blog.
A great read. I will definitely be back.|
I visited various web sites however the audio quality for audio songs present at this website is
truly marvelous.|
Hi, i read your blog from time to time and i own a similar one and i was just curious if you get
a lot of spam responses? If so how do you prevent it, any plugin
or anything you can advise? I get so much lately it’s driving me crazy so any assistance is very much appreciated.|
Greetings! Very useful advice in this particular post! It is the little changes which will make the greatest
changes. Many thanks for sharing!|
I seriously love your website.. Great colors & theme. Did you build this website yourself?
Please reply back as I’m planning to create my very own blog and want to
learn where you got this from or what the theme is named.
Kudos!|
Hi there! This post couldn’t be written any better!
Reading through this article reminds me of my previous roommate!
He constantly kept talking about this. I will
send this information to him. Pretty sure he will have a good read.
Thank you for sharing!|
Incredible! This blog looks just like my old one!
It’s on a entirely different topic but it has pretty much the same layout and design.
Outstanding choice of colors!|
There’s definately a great deal to find out about this issue.
I really like all of the points you’ve made.|
You made some decent points there. I looked on the net
for more information about the issue and found most individuals will go along with your views on this site.|
What’s up, I check your blogs like every week. Your humoristic style
is witty, keep up the good work!|
I simply could not go away your website prior
to suggesting that I really loved the usual info a person provide in your visitors?
Is gonna be again continuously to check up on new posts|
I need to to thank you for this fantastic read!! I definitely enjoyed every bit of it.
I have got you book marked to check out new stuff you post…|
Hi there, just wanted to say, I liked this post. It
was funny. Keep on posting!|
I leave a leave a response whenever I especially enjoy a article on a website or if I have something to add to the
discussion. Usually it’s a result of the sincerness displayed in the post
I looked at. And after this article A Nordic defensive shield | Bruce K.
Anderson. I was actually excited enough to drop a comment 😉 I actually do have some questions for you if you usually do not mind.
Could it be only me or do some of these comments appear as if they are written
by brain dead people? 😛 And, if you are posting at other places, I would
like to follow everything fresh you have to post.
Could you make a list the complete urls of your public pages like your Facebook page, twitter
feed, or linkedin profile?|
Hello, I enjoy reading through your post. I like to write a little comment to
support you.|
I always spent my half an hour to read this blog’s articles
or reviews all the time along with a mug of coffee.|
I all the time emailed this website post page to
all my associates, because if like to read it after that my friends will too.|
My programmer is trying to persuade me to move to .net from PHP.
I have always disliked the idea because of the expenses.
But he’s tryiong none the less. I’ve been using WordPress on numerous websites for about a year and am nervous
about switching to another platform. I have heard excellent things about blogengine.net.
Is there a way I can import all my wordpress content into
it? Any kind of help would be really appreciated!|
Howdy! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after
looking at a few of the posts I realized it’s new to
me. Regardless, I’m definitely happy I came across it and
I’ll be book-marking it and checking back frequently!|
Terrific work! This is the kind of info that should be shared around the
web. Disgrace on the seek engines for no longer positioning this submit upper!
Come on over and seek advice from my site . Thank you =)|
Heya i am for the first time here. I came across this board and I
find It really useful & it helped me out a lot. I hope to give something back and help others like you helped
me.|
Hello, There’s no doubt that your website might be having web browser compatibility
issues. When I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, if opening in
Internet Explorer, it has some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads
up! Other than that, excellent website!|
A person necessarily help to make significantly posts I might state.
This is the first time I frequented your web page and up to now?
I amazed with the analysis you made to make this particular put up incredible.
Great process!|
Heya i’m for the first time here. I came across this board and
I find It truly useful & it helped me out much.
I am hoping to provide one thing again and aid others like you
aided me.|
Good day! I simply want to offer you a big thumbs up for your excellent info you’ve got right
here on this post. I’ll be returning to your blog for
more soon.|
I all the time used to study article in news papers but now as I am a user of internet thus from now I
am using net for articles or reviews, thanks to web.|
Your mode of explaining everything in this piece of writing is truly pleasant, every one be able to simply be aware of it, Thanks a lot.|
Hello there, I found your web site by the use of Google while searching for a comparable matter, your web
site got here up, it seems to be great. I have bookmarked it in my
google bookmarks.
Hello there, simply become aware of your weblog thru
Google, and found that it is truly informative.
I am gonna be careful for brussels. I will be grateful if you proceed this in future.
Many people will be benefited from your writing. Cheers!|
I am curious to find out what blog system you are utilizing?
I’m having some small security issues with my latest blog and I would
like to find something more safe. Do you have any solutions?|
I’m really impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog.
Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it is rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.|
I’m extremely impressed along with your writing abilities as smartly as with the format in your blog.
Is that this a paid topic or did you modify it yourself?
Either way stay up the nice high quality writing, it is
uncommon to look a nice blog like this one today..|
Hello, Neat post. There is an issue along with your website in web explorer, might check this?
IE nonetheless is the market leader and a good component of
other folks will leave out your great writing due to this problem.|
I am not sure where you’re getting your information,
but good topic. I needs to spend some time learning much more or understanding more.
Thanks for fantastic info I was looking for this information for
my mission.|
Hello, i think that i saw you visited my web site so i
came to “return the favor”.I’m attempting to find things to enhance my site!I suppose its ok to use {some of|a
\
Being an Android, it is comes with integrated Google technology such as Google Maps with navigation, Gmail, You – Tube,
just to name a few. You can be anywhere and be able to communicate via Skype
with your friends and loved ones. The best and the a lot of adorable affection of the
handset is its 10.
Just wish to say your article is as astonishing. The clearness for
your submit is simply cool and that i could think you’re knowledgeable on this subject.
Fine along with your permission allow me to snatch your feed to stay updated with imminent post.
Thank you 1,000,000 and please carry on the rewarding
work.
Because the admin of this web page is working, no doubt very
rapidly it will be renowned, due to its quality
contents.
The server operation provides desktop synchronization to users on any computer.
One other matter corporations often have on making use of completely
new systems is if the new technological know-how works with current
modern technology. When Microsoft declared the
Ribbon the future of the UI, third-party vendors rushed to fill the void.
Some companies and their customers want to deal only with persons
in the home country. Get right back on the phone right after a client prospect says “I don’t want it”.
Call center coaching scenarios in actual sales pretty much
depend on the product or service being offered.
There’s definately a great deal to know about this
topic. I like all of the points you’ve made.
This is very interesting, You’re a very professional blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and look ahead to searching for more of your excellent post.
Additionally, I’ve shared your site in my social networks
Je voudrɑі vous dire qque c’est sans mentir ɗu bonheur de
vous lire
Hum êtes νous certin de cе que vous affirmez ??
You ought to be a part of a contest for one of the finest websites on the
net. I am going to recommend this blog!
What’s up, of course this paragraph is genuinely fastidious and I have learned lot of things from it about blogging.
thanks.
This design is spectacular! You definitely know how to
keep a reader amused. Between your wit and your videos, I was
almost moved to start my own blog (well, almost…HaHa!) Excellent job.
I really enjoyed what you had to say, and more than that, how you presented it.
Too cool!
Je ƿoste un com uniquement pour féliciteг l’auteur
hi!,I like your writing very a lot! proportion we communicate extra approximately your article on AOL?
I require an expert on this house to unravel my problem.
Maybe that is you! Having a look ahead to peer you.
IncroyaƄlement attrayant, mon petit doigt me dit que ce
poste devrait intéresser une gonzesse
Sսperbe poste : pérennise de cette manière
Јe suis tout à fait en accord avec toi
L’intégralité Ԁe ces posts sߋnt ѵéritablement plaisants
Jе vais terminer de jeter սn coup d’oeil à ça ce ѕoir
C’еst un vrɑi bonheur dе regarder ce site web
Puis-ϳerecopier quelques lignes poսr un blog ?
On peut te dirе que ce n’еst paѕ inexact !!
I am really glad to glance at this blog posts which contains tons of helpful facts, thanks for providing such data.
Hսmm êtes vous certain ԁe ce que vous noսs
écrivez ??