It took a while, but this week Sweden got the green light on its bid to join NATO. Following Finland’s accession last year NATO is now firmly anchored in the high North.

Will that strengthen the alliance… or risk provoking Finland's neighbor Russia? Meanwhile new trouble is brewing in southeastern Europe, as the breakaway region of Transnistria, just south of Ukraine, asks Russia for "protection."

As the challenges multiply, NATO members send diverging signals in the direction of Moscow– with France's president sparking pushback by refusing to rule out sending ground troops to Ukraine.

Our topic this week, "Sweden and Finland in NATO: a strategic defeat for Russia?"

00:00 Opener
01:50 The accession of Sweden and Finland has strengthened NATO
02:55 Has the Baltic Sea become a ‘NATO sea’?
04:10 Are US politics undermining trust in NATO?
07:20 How unified is NATO really?
09:20 Pushback from Turkey and Hungary slowed NATO’s expansion
13:10 Why did Macron bring ground troops into play?
15:10 Should Germany take more leadership initiative?
16:00 The German French tandem has been faltering for several years
18:10 Putin will always come up with new surprises
18:40 Transnistria wants to join Russia
19:20 Moldova is pro-Western, the EU should expedite membership
21:00 No military threat in the moment in Transnistria

#NATO #Russia #Sweden

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