People form groups with a goal in mind. The goals are specific to the group. Countries could come together and form unions such as trade unions, or even groups to protect them from a common rival or enemy. Some European countries and the United States formed NATO on 4th April 1947 to provide security in the North Atlantic area through military and defense means. However, not all members joined the group. This paper seeks to examine the reason behind Sweden and Finland not joining the treaty while they were part of the North Atlantic area and faced some threat of attack.
Vaahtoranta and Forsberg (2000, p.3) states that since the end of the cold war in the early 1990s, Finland and Sweden changed their national security, defense, and foreign policies. This was in order to respond to changes in their environment. Keep (1995, p.6) states that the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991 and that this lead to elimination of military threat and also threat to their national independence. The faster waning of the cold war and the growing attractiveness of European integration meant that the previous desire for Finland and Sweden to join NATO was replaced with that of working together with European and other transatlantic partners to respond to the challenges of security facing them. Finland and Sweden joined the European Union (EU) in 1995. Sjursen (1998, p.8) states that Sweden and Finland became members of EU Common foreign and security policy (CFSP). Grieco (1995, p.21) states that CFSP was established under the 1991-1992 Maastricht Treaty and Common Security Defense Policy (CSDP) established in 1999-2000. Involvement in creating the policies has enabled them to shape the security policies adopted across Europe. In addition, both nations joine...
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One of EUCOM's primary roles is to strengthen NATO's collective defense and assist its transformation since the fall of the Soviet Union. This is accomplished through building partner capacity to enhance transatlantic security. EUCOM supports American interests in Europe as outlined in the National Security Strategy:
International organizations such as NATO and the UN are essential not only for global peace, but also as a place where middle powers can exert their influence. It is understandable that since the inception of such organizations that many crises have been averted, resolved, or dealt with in some way thro...
Political Analysis Political analysis is the method by which the judgement upon any political event, in any part of the world, is performed. It is based on the perception of the political reality of the region or the country in question and the perception of the relationship of this political reality with international politics. In order to perceive the international situation and international politics, it is imperative to have general outlines that explain the political reality of every state and the relationships of these states with the other states of the world, especially the major powers that influence the progress of events in the world. Since the Islamic Ummah is commanded to carry the Islamic Da'wah to all people, it is therefore obligatory upon the Muslims to be in touch with the world with awareness of its conditions and perception of its problems. The Muslims must acquaint themselves with what motivates the states and the peoples and pursue the political actions that occur in the world.
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In the 1950s, French insecurity feelings forced the state to strengthen its military and presumed Germany as their potential enemy. The state decided not to join the European Defence Community (EDC); where Britain and United States excluded, to stay away from its former archenemy. In other hand, the members of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO); particularly the hegemons US and Britain provided guarantees as the security providers to European in against potential German aggression. The guarantee triggered the French National Assembly to...
1. In your opinion, which ancient political practice, protective or developmental republicanism, has had the greatest impact on our liberal democratic practice?
The author doesn’t forget to mention the relationship between USA and NATO. He thinks that Americans welcome NATO as a weapon for America’s affairs, not of the world’s. In his final words, it is suggested that either Europe should invite USA to leave NATO or Europe should expel America from it.
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