Several reports I browsed through are saying that Sweden is next on the list, and that they are preparing for war.
None of them give a direct reason for the increased alarmism...

What has changed recently to make Sweden so worried or feel like it is next? Isnt joining NATO a long process that Russia has been aware for a while now?

Im not saying that their prepping isnt warranted, but why are they seemingly all of sudden on high alert? Is the media blowing this out of proportion?

This post was edited by C4NTWO on Jan 11 2024 11:47am

Because there are actors who wants to trigger WW3 and they have been trying to do it for a long time.

what makes you think that?

Its easier for them than accepting that Putin is a revisionist aggressor.

Democratic Peace theory , Hubris, losing Control, not recognizing the balance of power, personal vengeance and vendetta.

to the extent that its making headlines?

I never considered Sweden to really be a relevant player (or atleast not yet?), and at least not as much so as a country like Finland... (given that it shares a border with Russia and that it joined NATO recently)

but Finland isnt in the headlines, so Im a little confused and trying to make sense of why Sweden, but more so, why now...

This post was edited by C4NTWO on Jan 11 2024 12:07pm

If Finland is threaten so will Sweden , Denmark and Norway. They have always been non-aligned and are not in NATO.
Furthermore it wouldn't have happened if Finland didn't make any move to join NATO during Sanna Miller premiership.

A lot of lobby, pressure created the situation as it is. Fear Mongering etc etc . Not to mention with climate changing , earth getting warmer there is a huge grab for resources in the Artic etc etc .
Having the Scandinavian and Nordic state on your side is favorable to your interest. Furthermore they are right beside Russia, which helps a lot when it comes to security.

If in the end a hot war starts between US/ UK / Canada and NATO against Russia / China for example. Russia will have to get past the Nordic States , EU before hitting the US. Placing Air defense in that Area, the Balkans helps alot.
From the Eastern Front, China will have to go past the First Island Chain , South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Philippines etc etc.

The lessons learn during WW2 in the Pacific War have a huge influence on US Strategy on the Eastern Front. On the Western Front , it is always good to have allies to help you block and be your first line of defense.

This post was edited by Hamsterbaby on Jan 11 2024 12:14pm

Russia wouldn't make it past St Petersburg bud, Kaliningrad aside.

This post was edited by Prox1m1ty on Jan 11 2024 12:20pm

My guess is that this has more to do with Swedish domestic politics than any real threat by Russia. "Russian submarines in Swedish waters" is a trope going back literally decades. It's used so often in Swedish tabloids and by politicians trying to distract from something else that it has become a total meme. The Swedes I know personally all roll their eyes anytime they read something along those lines.

This post was edited by Black XistenZ on Jan 11 2024 01:37pm

gonzalo lira died in ukranian captivity according to his father

but he was not one of the good guys like this kashoggi dude, who literally an osama bin laden fan

RIP gonzalo