Non-alignment and neutrality by raising our military and civil preparedness is what we need. Because at the beginning of the US war on terror, NATO activated Article 5, which requires all member states to stand up for common defense. With this, the US began a preemptive strike warfare that actually violated the laws of war that only direct self-defense war is OK. At various levels, NATO involved its treaty states in the wars in Afghanistan, Libya and Iraq. What says this can't happen again. Were these wars good or beneficial? Many of them created great subsequent chaos with widespread terror. Now various journalists are pointing towards a future conflict between the US and China.
In these troubled times, the world truly needs an independent voice for peaceful cooperation. Swedish soldiers on international missions have testified about the respect there for Sweden's flag because of our principle of neutrality and the pursuit of peace.
At the same time, a country without nuclear weapons is less militarily aggressive, which is why it can reduce the risk of being attacked with nuclear weapons. Then nuclear weapons have a certain risk of spontaneous combustion or being fired for the wrong reasons by mistake.
After all, an old balance still prevails that Russia leaves Sweden alone as long as the US does the same and vice versa.
Then there is the risk that a strengthened military cooperation with the most unequal country, the United States, will in the long run lead to us being driven to dismantle what is left of our welfare.
We still need non-alignment and neutrality by raising our military and civil preparedness as the debate article below says.
https://www.kristianstadsbladet.se/debatt/vi-behover-beredskap-inte-natomedlemskap-da8444d9/
Different voices on NATO membership
Ingrid Fiskaa, defense and foreign policy spokesperson for the Norwegian left-wing party SV:
"Being a NATO member means a lot of pressure to adapt to new changes over time. What is said today is not necessary at all to be part of NATO, will be presented tomorrow as an obvious step to take because we are members.
Sweden must understand that NATO membership is not an agreement that is fixed, but something that creates pressure for continued adaptation.
The pressure is felt in several areas. For example, the US is putting heavy pressure on Norway not to work against nuclear weapons, which is not surprising given how central nuclear weapons are to NATO.
Step by step, Norwegian foreign and defense policy is changing. Norway has gone from being a nation of peace with an independent international voice and a strong defense of its own, to becoming a more dependent and independent NATO country.
The restructuring has mostly taken place in secret, without open public debate and with NATO membership as the most important argument.
If Sweden is to join NATO, it should be done through an open and enlightened public debate. Norway's defense policy and the absent debate is not an example Sweden should follow.
Ingrid Fiskaa, defense and foreign policy spokesperson for the Norwegian left-wing party SV" (Source https://www.aftonbladet.se/debatt/a/eErQLR/norsk-politiker-nato-har-gjort-norge-mer-sarbart)
Jonathan Power, New York Times writer for today's Arena
"The Swedish politicians seem to have decided to join NATO. But it is a dangerous road to walk. NATO membership means that Sweden departs from a tradition of consensus and investment in the welfare state. That is written by Jonathan Power, former foreign affairs columnist for the International Herald Tribune and now writer for the New York Times"
Jonathan Power, New York Times writer for today's Arena
Source: https://www.dagensarena.se/essa/nato-sverige-leker-med-elden/
Daniel Ellsberg, inmate, former NATO employee
"- The Swedes have honored me with awards and I have many friends there. I admire Olof Palme and above all Greta Thunberg. Sweden could re-establish its reputation as a nation that stands for disarmament and détente. A kind of global moral pillar. Instead, you are now prepared to ally yourself with the dark forces engaged in an arms race and threatening to wipe out humanity.”
Daniel Ellsberg, inducted former NATO employee
Source: https://www.dn.se/varlden/visselblasaren-som-jobbat-for-pentagon-uppmanar-sverige-att-sta-utanfor-nato/
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