[…] The US has successfully introduced multilateral military alliances into Northern Europe. Sweden and Finland, the newly joined countries, are both middle-sized European powers, with the 36th and 50th largest military forces, respectively. Their defense industries are also self-contained. The inclusion of the two countries in NATO not only expands NATO, but also makes it easier for the US to establish a comprehensive alliance network and create an exclusive clique in the Arctic game. […]
The US-led NATO is eager to leverage Northern Europe to gain the first-mover advantage in the Arctic. Encouraged by NATO, Denmark, Norway, Finland, and Sweden have been intensifying their efforts to establish a ”joint air force” consisting of 250 fighters since the end of March 2023. For this purpose, they are expected to purchase 143 F-35 fighters from the US, which will become the largest standby deterrent air power under NATO. Among them, the initial batch of F-35 fighters procured by the Finnish Air Force will be deployed to the Rovaniemi Air Base in the Arctic Circle in 2026, serving as NATO’s ”Arctic Outpost”.he Nordic countries’ inclination towards NATO has intensified the regional security dilemma. In light of the growing threat to the northwest of Russia’s major cities and densely populated areas, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed an order on February 26 to rebuild the Moscow and Leningrad Military Districts. Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated that this adjustment aims to respond to NATO’s increasing military capabilities and expansion along the Russian border. It is difficult to predict whether the Nordic countries, which may be pushed by NATO to fight against Russia in the future in a bid to control the Arctic, will remain immune to international changes as they have been before. Läs artikel