I’m not quite sure what all the hyperventilating here is about (outside of the Pooty Puffers).
Finland and Sweden already cooperate closely with the US and many NATO countries, run large exercises with us, and so on. Both countries are already well armed, and Finland is particularly well manned and trained. There’s not any real reason to build significant NATO facilities there. Possibly some logistics and infrastructure upgrades / additions would be useful. (Not totally unlike the US Interstate highway system, for one example.)
Basically, deterrence of a Russian attack is the major gain. That assuming Pooty has learned ANYTHING from his Ukraine adventure at all, and doesn’t want to fight along 1600+ miles of border.
That said, many (including, oddly, many FReepers) don’t seem to understand the dynamic here. It is precisely Putin telling countries like Finland what they can or cannot do, and issuing threats, that makes them more determined to not bow to those threats. The more the pressure, the greater the resistance.
Agreed! But on the short term, anything serving to slap Putin in the face is to be welcomed!
The more the pressure, the greater the resistance.
"The more you tighten your grip, Tarkin, the more star systems will slip through your fingers."
Regards,
A big, healthy dose of good sense! Russia’s attack on Ukraine and NATO’s strong response led to a swift reversal of formerly settled neutralist sentiment in Sweden and Finland. Both countries will be good allies and increase NATO’s strength and security.