Sweden reinstates Military Draft amid concern over Russian activity

[TangoSierra]

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-w...ntent=20170302

Topical of late with the Neutrality and Scorpion threads

[TangoSierra]

http://www.government.se/press-relea...total-defence/

Sweden increases defence spending

[pym]

Decent read on the Aurora 17 exercise:

https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje...ponse-to-zapad

[Anzac]

Decent read on the Aurora 17 exercise:

https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje...ponse-to-zapad

This is a revealing line about how leftist groups are being funded and activated to undermine status quo with western liberal democratic aligned nations.

However, the exercise itself as well as cooperation with NATO have also met with resistance, in particular from pacifist organisations and radical left groupings which have adopted the Russian narrative critical of Swedish defence policy. Furthermore, within Sweden’s red-green coalition and even within the Social Democratic Party there is also some disagreements over the scope of co-operation with NATO and the USA.

Putin's underlings for a number of years have been active in clandestine support of groups and were very successful. These groups were active in the 1970's and 80's and have made a comeback according to FVEYS agencies.

[pym]

Both Russia and the US have a long history of funding groups in various European nations and further afield, to influence defence policy decisions.

Though in both in Sweden and Ireland there are strong pro neutrality sentiments, that exist without the need for any foreign manipulation.

[DeV]

Both Russia and the US have a long history of funding groups in various European nations and further afield, to influence defence policy decisions.

Though in both in Sweden and Ireland there are strong pro neutrality sentiments, that exist without the need for any foreign manipulation.

Not forgetting that the superpowers used terror groups in Europe (and elsewhere) during the Cold War as proxies

[sofa]

World has always being full of warring tribes, Always was and always will be, Trick is to pick sides with the most civilised one .
Give me Western values any day

[GoneToTheCanner]

Sweden has always been wise to and wary of Russia. Remember the Russian submarine incursions, including the tracked crawler that entered Stockholm harbour and they depth-charged it, to give the Russians a hint that the next incursion would be fatal for the submarine...Sweden does like to remind the Russians that they will not lie down and take a hiding.

[pym]

Sweden has always been wise to and wary of Russia. Remember the Russian submarine incursions, including the tracked crawler that entered Stockholm harbour and they depth-charged it, to give the Russians a hint that the next incursion would be fatal for the submarine...Sweden does like to remind the Russians that they will not lie down and take a hiding.

And that's one of the major distinctions between their populations conception of neutrality and ours - they have been prepared to pay for, equip and support their military to defend their sovereignty.

All of this in what was/is by our standards, nevermind US standards, a progressive left leaning socialist democracy.

In fairness the other major distinctions include their relative wealth, not being under colonial rule since the 1500's and being next door to some very aggressive neighbours.

Less known than the depth charges: the SwAF also got a manouver kill against an Su-15 during a recon flight.

[Anzac]

Not forgetting that the superpowers used terror groups in Europe (and elsewhere) during the Cold War as proxies

Specifically to western liberal democratic Europe the link to the US state sponsoring terror groups in those nations is tenuous - fair point though with Latin America and Asia. Unless you consider the Council for Free Europe as such.

[DeV]

Specifically to western liberal democratic Europe the link to the US state sponsoring terror groups in those nations is tenuous - fair point though with Latin America and Asia. Unless you consider the Council for Free Europe as such.

I was thinking more say the Red Brigades in Italy, Libya supplying the PIRA, etc

[Graylion]

This is a revealing line about how leftist groups are being funded and activated to undermine status quo with western liberal democratic aligned nations.

However, the exercise itself as well as cooperation with NATO have also met with resistance, in particular from pacifist organisations and radical left groupings which have adopted the Russian narrative critical of Swedish defence policy. Furthermore, within Sweden’s red-green coalition and even within the Social Democratic Party there is also some disagreements over the scope of co-operation with NATO and the USA.

Putin's underlings for a number of years have been active in clandestine support of groups and were very successful. These groups were active in the 1970's and 80's and have made a comeback according to FVEYS agencies.

Only that Putin mostly finds the extreme right, for instance the Sweden Democrats. Who have very visible links to Russia and are huge fans of Putin. See also Russian funding for FN and support for Trump and Brexit.

[Anzac]

Only that Putin mostly finds the extreme right, for instance the Sweden Democrats. Who have very visible links to Russia and are huge fans of Putin. See also Russian funding for FN and support for Trump and Brexit.

Putin is an equal opportunity stirrer. He may favour rightist groups in Europe though elsewhere the support is primarily ffor neo-communist anti-US groups.

[pym]

The right wing nationalist groupings are public in their praise of Putin, because well... his policies are theirs.

But I'd agree with Anzac - he's equal opportunities when it comes to stirring.

He has proved that domestically - there's a whole array of Russian opposition groups that are backed financially by... Putin.

[GoneToTheCanner]

All Swedes instinctively understand where their geography has placed them and they have no qualms about paying for defence. While the Nordic countries do like to moan about each other, they see themselves as all being in it together, especially with an eye to the Russians. The Finnish parts of WW2 made a lasting impression on them and they have never forgotten it.

[pym]

I can only imagine the reaction to something like this here, but hey the international element of this ex would have been unthinkable in Sweden 30 years ago.

"Sweden's security and crisis readiness is a matter that concerns all of Swedish society", the equivalent statement could not be said about ourselves.

[DeV]

I can only imagine the reaction to something like this here, but hey the international element of this ex would have been unthinkable in Sweden 30 years ago.

"Sweden's security and crisis readiness is a matter that concerns all of Swedish society", the equivalent statement could not be said about ourselves.

PfP