Biden backs Sweden and Finland's bids to join NATO l ABCNL

Summary

President Biden signed NATO accession protocols for Sweden and Finland, bringing them closer to full membership in the alliance. This expansion highlights NATO's resilience in the face of Russian aggression and underscores the military capabilities Sweden and Finland bring to the table. Both nations’ advanced military systems and alignment with NATO’s tactics make them valuable additions. As Russia faces a growing NATO border, this move also strengthens the U.S. commitment to global security. Additionally, the situation in Afghanistan continues to deteriorate under Taliban control, with human rights and humanitarian crises worsening.

Takeaways

• 😀 President Biden signed the NATO accession protocols for Sweden and Finland, moving them closer to joining the NATO alliance.
• 😀 The U.S. Senate voted overwhelmingly (95 to 1) in favor of expanding NATO to include Sweden and Finland.
• 😀 Biden emphasized that Russian President Putin's invasion of Ukraine inadvertently led to NATO's expansion, which was contrary to Putin's goals.
• 😀 Finland and Sweden have made a commitment to NATO, agreeing that an attack on one member is an attack on all.
• 😀 The inclusion of Finland and Sweden in NATO adds significant military value, as both countries have advanced military capabilities and share NATO-compatible tactics and systems.
• 😀 The expansion of NATO serves as a symbolic message to Putin, showing that his actions in Ukraine have strengthened the alliance.
• 😀 The border between Finland and Russia now expands NATO's territory by 800 miles, creating new defense challenges for Russia.
• 😀 As full NATO members, Finland and Sweden are expected to contribute more to the defense of Ukraine and support NATO's defense commitments.
• 😀 The official approval process for Sweden and Finland's NATO membership is still ongoing, with 30 NATO members needing to approve it, although most are expected to ratify the decision.
• 😀 The U.S. has shown strong leadership in the expansion of NATO, reinforcing its commitment to global security and strengthening the military alliance.
• 😀 The situation in Afghanistan remains dire under Taliban control, with significant setbacks in human rights, particularly for women, and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Q & A

What recent action did President Biden take regarding Sweden and Finland's NATO membership?

President Biden signed the NATO accession protocols for Sweden and Finland, bringing them one step closer to officially joining the alliance.

How did the US Senate contribute to Sweden and Finland’s NATO membership?

The US Senate voted 95 to 1 in support of expanding NATO to include Sweden and Finland, facilitating their entry into the alliance.

What did President Biden say about Putin’s expectations and NATO expansion?

President Biden stated that Putin thought he could weaken NATO by invading Ukraine, but instead, his actions have resulted in the expansion of NATO, particularly with the inclusion of Finland and Sweden.

What commitment do Finland and Sweden make by joining NATO?

By joining NATO, Finland and Sweden commit to the principle that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all members of the alliance.

How does Mick Mulroy describe the value of Sweden and Finland joining NATO?

Mick Mulroy highlighted that Sweden and Finland bring significant symbolic value, showing that Putin's invasion of Ukraine was a strategic mistake, and militarily, they add advanced military capabilities and align their tactics with NATO.

What strategic implications does Finland’s NATO membership have for Russia?

Finland's NATO membership adds an 800-mile NATO border with Russia, requiring Russia to allocate resources to defend this new border, which could pull resources away from other areas of conflict.

What does Mick Mulroy say about the potential for Finland and Sweden to assist Ukraine?

Mick Mulroy anticipates that as full NATO members, Finland and Sweden will provide additional support to Ukraine, including more weapon systems as the conflict with Russia continues.

What is the current status of NATO approval for Sweden and Finland’s membership?

Currently, 23 out of 30 NATO members have approved Sweden and Finland's membership, and while there may be some delays, the expectation is that all 30 members will eventually approve their membership, making them the 31st and 32nd NATO members.

What does Sweden’s historical stance on military alliances say about their NATO membership?

Sweden has been militarily neutral for over 200 years, so their decision to join NATO marks a significant shift in their foreign policy, demonstrating the seriousness of their commitment to collective defense.

What is the significance of the US’s leadership in NATO expansion, according to Mick Mulroy?

Mick Mulroy praises the US for its leadership in expanding NATO, showing that the US can bring together countries that were previously neutral and help strengthen the alliance, especially in the face of Russian aggression.