War! Sweden citizens told to prepare for it.

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   tsmogposted 3 months ago

   On the international scene, most recently, two of Sweden’s top defense officials gave a stark warning to the countries populace.
   
   From BBC, “Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin told a defence conference "there could be war in Sweden".
   
   His message was then backed up by military commander-in-chief Gen Micael Byden, who said all Swedes should prepare mentally for the possibility.”
   
   However, some say, “A warning to Swedes from two top defence officials to prepare for war has prompted concern and accusations of alarmism.”
   
   Sweden is waiting for Turkey and Hungry to green light their application to join NATO. Finland this year became a member also a neighbor of Sweden.
   
   Also, “In early December, Stockholm and Washington signed a pact paving the way for US forces to operate in Sweden.”
   
   Russia says:
   
   “In Russia, Sweden's dire statements have been met with ridicule.
   In a post to X, formerly Twitter, the Russian embassy in Stockholm wrote: "Perhaps the Swedish leadership should stop driving its own people towards paranoia?"
   
   - 'Dream of war' -
   
   Alexey Pushkov, a member of the upper house of Russia's parliament, commented in a post to Telegram that "sometimes it seems like some Swedish military officers and journalists almost dream of war."
   
   Questions:
   ** Is Sweden’s action a bell weather indicator for assessing Russia?
   ** Is there concern for future American involvement with actually placing troops in Sweden?
   ** Is there cause for Americans to be alarmed or concerned
   ** Is it a sit back and wait scenario?
   
   Thoughts?
   
   Articles used:
   Swedes Spooked as Government, Military Say to Prepare for War by Kyiv Post (Jan 13, 2024)
   https://www.kyivpost.com/post/26685
   
   Swedish alarm after defence chiefs' war warning by BBC (Jan 10, 2024)
   https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-67935464
   
   Note: Interested in thoughts as I have Dear Friend in Sweden writing to me the news. She is alarmed and as quoted, “Scared”. She is prepared to purchase items recommended by Sweden’s government.
   
   I wrote back saying, “Shit!” Then further along, stated, “You are wise ________. Move slowly. Speak to such and such (Close friends) before acting. As an aside, she was a member of HP community, banned permanently because of a poem she wrote and the conflict between her and HP administration.

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   Nathanvilleposted 3 months ago

   It’s not a real threat at this time; but a potential threat in the future in the event that Russia wins the war in Ukraine.
   
   The penultimate paragraph in the BBC link you gave sums it up:-
   
   “….it would require several factors to fall into place: Russia's war in Ukraine coming to an end, its military having the time to rebuild and rearm its fighting force and for Europe to lose US military support.”

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      tsmogposted 3 months agoin reply to this

      First, thanks for expanding my vocabulary with penultimate. Cred, expanded my vocabulary last evening. As with him, I can't promise I will remember it tomorrow. ;-)
      
      I am inclined to agree no need to over react at this time. That is what I stressed to my Dear Friend in subsequent letters following the one I shared in the OP. She replied she feels more comfortable now and is not rushing out to purchase items. She contacted her trusted friends too.
      
      However, I will keep a closer eye on Sweden's situation while reflecting on current events with Ukraine as well as our nation's position. Then comes my focus on defense as an element to lower the debt. ha-ha
      
      It is a learning experience as I see it, yet has real life consequences.

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         Nathanvilleposted 3 months agoin reply to this

         It was my son who taught me "penultimate", a word he frequently uses

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   Venkatachari Mposted 3 months ago

   I couldn't catch what are the interests, that could be, behind the war.

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      tsmogposted 3 months agoin reply to this

      Thanks for chiming in Venkatachari.
      
      The war is between Russia and Ukraine that has been ongoing since 2014 and escalated in 2022 with Russia invading Ukraine. It continues today. The main element, from what I have learned, is Russia annexing Crimea while Ukraine says, "No, you can't" I know there is more to it, yet I have only cursory knowledge.
      
      Regard, Sweden, they see it as Russia 'possibly' wanting to expand it further into Europe thus a threat to them. They applied to NATO and is pending for acceptance. Russia sees that as a threat to them.

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         Venkatachari Mposted 3 months agoin reply to this

         Tim, I googled and found that Swedish and Russian tussle dates back to the last decade of 18th century and forward. So, it is a long-lasting problem between them.
         
         Here is a link to the Finnish war between the Kingdom of Sweden and the Russian Empire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finnish_War

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            tsmogposted 3 months agoin reply to this

            Thanks for the link, Venkatachari! May I use Ven to address you as it is easier.
            
            One thing I noted from following along with Russia vs Ukraine escapade both with reading and within the forum dialogues here is the importance of history in the setting of Europe.
            
            Perhaps, here in the U.S, a parallel is the civil war between regions. It gets complex from there as I see it. Or, where I live in the greater San Diego area of Southern California with the Spanish, the indigenous tribes, and then with American expansionism.
            
            Do you see any similarity with India where history plays a significant role?

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               Venkatachari Mposted 3 months agoin reply to this

               There were many invasions by foreigners. But, the most significant one was by the British who entered India as a merchant company Titled "East India Company" in the year 1608 and gradually conquered many regions with the help of local kings, who were having rifts within them, thereby establishing a powerful empire. It was due to Mahatma Gandhi and his associates that India got freed from their clutches finally in 1947.

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                  tsmogposted 3 months agoin reply to this

                  Thanks and interesting, Venkat. Today, does history affect the relationship of India with the UK in your view? For instance, with trade agreements.

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                     Venkatachari Mposted 3 months agoin reply to this

                     No, presently there is no bitterness between UK and India. We are friendly. They are not responsible for what happened in history.

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                        tsmogposted 3 months agoin reply to this

                        Hej! Hej is Hi in Swedish. That is good news both countries are on friendly terms. I have not looked into the relationship of India with the U.S, yet, though I am curious.

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                           Venkatachari Mposted 3 months agoin reply to this

                           There are lakhs of Indians living happily in the U.S. among them four families of my relatives. You can imagine how nice the relations are between our two countries.

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                              tsmogposted 3 months agoin reply to this

                              Thanks for adding to my vocabulary, Venkat, with lakhs! Yes, I can imagine the nicety of U.S. and India relations.

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               Venkatachari Mposted 3 months agoin reply to this

               Yes, Tim, you can address me as Ven or Venkat. Venkat is my name and the title is Acharya, shortened to Achari so as to make it easier for people here in South Indian schools.

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                  tsmogposted 3 months agoin reply to this

                  Appreciated, Venkat!

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