Austria: Why The Hell Aren't They In NATO? - TLDR News

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Austria has a long history of neutrality, but Putin's invasion of Ukraine is forcing many in the country to reconsider. So in this video we discuss Austria's new conversation around NATO and why some might finally be considering membership.
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[@DenDave_]

Why would they join honestly. Austria, together with Switzerland, pretty much enjoy all of NATO's protection by being completely surrounded by NATO members, without having to meet it's demands. Their neutrality would only be a danger if NATO itself declared war on Austria and/or Switzerland.

[@mdumiseninsibande3071]

Exactly

[@BritishRoyalMapping]

Why would nato declare war on them though? Austria is a huge ally of Germany and no one wants to upset Germany, and as for Switzerland it’s like an undiscussed rule that no one can attack Switzerland, if someone invaded Switzerland that attacker would see 100X the sanctions that of what Russia did for invading Ukraine Austria is a big nato ally so it would make sense for them to join but they are also like Switzerland very neutral however they might join just because their allies are in nato. Switzerland would never join though

[@dennisruud825]

@@BritishRoyalMapping it was just saying that the only way it needed to were if nato attacked them, implying that its incredibly unlikely,, dont overthink it bro

[@realtimestatic]

Or a NATO country got invaded and they would border a hostile state

[@YeenMage]

Maybe in an alternate universe, NATO invaded.

[@fixpontt]

Austria was extremely lucky after ww2 that the soviets willingly withdrew 10 years later! Unfortunately many coutries in the region were not that lucky.

[@kerrynball2734]

Soviets kept to the Yalta deal, the west ditched the deal and expanded NATO.

[@stekra3159]

Well, we had a govermet that was recognised by both allys by 1945 ad a united front of both parties agreeing to support independence pushing for it and them being useful to the occupiers in giving them a shred of legitimacy. Giving them what they want does not seem as crazy. We wher lucky but we also worked our buts of

[@wizzotizzo]

@@kerrynball2734 looks like you fell for propaganda

[@Koczu0]

@@kerrynball2734 What deal? xD stop drinking sasha

[@tyr404]

@@kerrynball2734 lmao communist bot, all Soviets collapsed and changed regime in 1990s, other countries in Eastern Europe willingly applied to NATO. Free will is something that you won't ever understand. Back to licking russian propaganda :)

[@stuartlacey677]

"Russo-Austrian relations have hit an all time low" WW1: "Am I a joke to you?"

[@Ch-xk5tv]

also in WW2

[@th0mas_papill0n3]

Wish we could turn back time to the good ol' days of partitioning of Poland 😔😔

[@goli8699]

@@Ch-xk5tv During World war 2, Austria didn't exists.

[@Ch-xk5tv]

@@goli8699 Hitler himself, beside many others, was Austrian. Austria was still there. Austria, beside Germany, is also guilty for the crimes of the Nazi regime. Russia did also exist before 1992, but it wasn't called Russia.

[@goli8699]

@@Ch-xk5tv So, First, Hitler very much did Not See himself as Austrian and very much did Not wanted the Austrians to See themselves as Austrian, and second, saying Austria existed during the second world war would be Like saying that Poland Still existed because they could still speak Polish in some places.

[@TecraX2]

Turkey: "We have no objections against Austria joining NATO" Turkey the same day as Austria applies: "We have NOTHING BUT objections against Austria joining NATO"

[@monsieur558]

Yes and i think they enjoy pissing them off 🤪

[@newbeatsgo9577]

Austria: "We cant join NATO because we are neutral but we can stop Turkey from ever joining the EU" Austria the same day as Turkey applies: "Still nope for Turkey but Ukraine and Moldova get EU candidate status" i think its really true, we enjoy pissing each other off xD

[@nicklombard610]

Under current circumstances, I don't trust Turkey.

[@Arbaaltheundefeated]

Turkey under Erdogan loves to blackmail their "allies" for every concession possible. Their strategic position gives them immunity and thus they behave with impunity.

[@Jefff72]

Austria: €€€€€€ to Turkey Turkey: OK

[@standbyukrain]

I think Austria is not in NATO because being surrounded by NATO members it would make it difficult for Russia to attack them without having to violate NATO airspace, so they are basically protected by NATO without having to pay for NATO membership. The same goes for Switzerland.

[@ricardo53100]

You are right. They are spongers. Austria ought to pay an insurance policy to NATO and forget membership.

[@sinoroman]

not worth it due to their geography. plus, NATO demands land, human, and monetary capital from members

[@ロース-z7m]

Guess what would have happened if Ukraine surrendered to Russia? Russian force would be at the border of Hungary or Slovakia, not that far away from Austria. Most US troops have been withdraw from Europe, Germany isn't in a condition to defend anybody else, and Austria wouldn't stop any Russian fighter jets with its 15 Eurofighters. Am sure France wouldn't bother, because Austria and Switzerland would protect a part of its eastern flank 🤣 Only thanks to Ukraine and the US, this scenario didn't come true. If you want peace, prepare for war!

[@hitman5782]

@@ロース-z7m One thing i do not understand is, why nobody seems to understand that Russia will never attack Nato and Nato would never attack Russia. Everyone with more than 2 braincells should be able to understand that such a war would have no winners.

[@ロース-z7m]

@@hitman5782 For sure Russia wouldn't invade with Russian soldiers, Russia is always innocent. Maybe, you should use your brain as well. They would have invaded NATO countries the same way as they invaded part of Ukraine in 2014.

[@shofinger6853]

Austrian here, generally good overview and pretty much spot on. One point though regarding your last sentence: Austria isn't really taking the question about Nato y/n more seriously, its hardly making headlines and no one really talks about it. Its far away from being a serious discussion or even consideration, with the chancellor (Nehammer) recently having said that "neutrality is not up for debate, end of discussion." Also, among the populus the opinion that neutrality is somehow a magic shield that helps you evade everything bad that could happen to your country is pretty much engrained in people's minds and sadly leaves little room for an informed discussion.

[@FlorianHWave]

It's not up for debate because the vast majority wants to keep the neutrality. It was the ÖVP who questioned it and therefore put our country on Russias "hostile countries" list, which now makes it a lot harder to buy gas from them. Barely anyone amongst the normal population wants to give it up.

[@vipecrx]

yeah, not like belgium or luxembourg were neutral in the 30s..oh wait... The only country that can enforce its neutrality is switzerland because they have "all their money". Even they had to acoomodate for germans during the war.

[@vanbaguette7368]

@@FlorianHWave When did the ÖVP question neutrality? NEOS started the debate about NATO membership.

[@csfelfoldi]

Also a thing all these videos miss is that the EU has a common defense clause. Technically if Russia attacked Finland tomorrow, the whole of the EU would be at war with Russia. While the US being out would be a great blow, they would still support and might even just outright join militarily in order to protect the other NATO members in the EU. So from this perspective it makes even less sense for Austria to join.

[@dominuslogik484]

Ah Austria, of the major Germanic speaking countries in continental Europe, it is my favorite.

[@Koellenburg]

i served in the Austrian army. Summer we fill Sandbags when the floods come, winter we shovel Snow from Roofs, if it snows to much. we still got a purpose :)

[@maximilianusofmarchaorient596]

And our current system would send millions of people not trained to fight (people that served the mandatory term doing a minimal amount of actual shooting just learning how to do their beds) in case we actually get attacked one day due to the draft system with the small professional army being understaffed and underequipped as well. Wonderful. And then we will ask those for help we refused to give a single dime in support.

[@UnholyWrath3277]

@@maximilianusofmarchaorient596 except the only possible enemy you have in the current system would be Nato lol. They wouldn't allow a foreign aggressor to go thru their land to reach Austria so joining nato just gives you all the negatives when you already have all the positives lol

[@A190xx]

And now a career in Hollywood and governorship of a US state?

[@RobespierreThePoof]

@@UnholyWrath3277 this is not actually entirely true. I'm not sure why this line gets repeated so much. You're only thinking of land invasions. It's perfectly possible for Russia to attack Austria by air or using missiles from afar. Yes, they'd need to get past defenses in a couple Slavic nations but that doesn't rule out the possibility. Stealth technology, high elevation flights, large numbers of planes at once and nuclear missiles could ask find their way to Austria if Russia decides to attack the weak points in the European coalition first. Putin has declared Austria an enemy nation. Austria's prosperity is dependent on security and prosperity of the rest of the EU. It's probably time for Austrians to rethink their security policy.

[@UnholyWrath3277]

@@RobespierreThePoof nato would not allow russia to fly military sorties or shoot missles over q half dozen nato countries to reach austria. Russia also has its hands already full making the point moot

[@divine1448]

"Even invited Putin to her wedding" That has been Austrian foreign policy for centuries

[@brainletmong6302]

Putin confirmed several century old vampire?

[@rimacalid6557]

@@brainletmong6302 Putin an old british vampire Spy

[@ratatatuff]

What a stupid comment.

[@BJ-zd2or]

Yes, but they are neatural. As UK is in nato obviously would react with some bit of pressuring judgement.

[@sinoroman]

austria is a good place, i like austria and their little politics

[@skape924]

2:33 Austria joined NATO's Partnership for Peace program. *Shows a UN Flag above Austria*

[@PeterMasalski93]

Austria is like that kid whose father is a cop, uncle is a Mafiosi and brother is a professional MMA fighter.

[@RobespierreThePoof]

Are those metaphors for Germany, Italy and Switzerland?

[@Namirius]

To the point... but hey, it's a pretty cool an nice kid neverthless

[@mab9614]

Well... Austria is home to both the Terminator and Hercules. There’s no need to join.

[@Gumardee_coins_and_banknotes]

And Conan.

[@romanianturk2101]

and funnt mustache man

[@kw2142]

U do know he lives in America?

[@daemonofharmonia585]

And Hilter birthplace .

[@cat-.-]

Austria's flag looked so much like a "DO NOT ENTER" traffic sign maybe that's why it hasn't entered NATO

[@Leptospirosi]

What stands out about Austria is its geographical position: after the end of the cold war, Austria found itself, like Swiss, completely enveloped by NATO country, which automatically protect its territory from outside invasion. For this reason, and for its small population and military budget, it is more useful for Austria and NATO to be separate. Being inside NATO would bring little benefit for Austria or for NATO, while relinquishing every convenience for having a friendly neutral nation in Europe which could act as Diplomatic facility

[@AntonGudenus]

This is exactly why Austria is not interested in joining NATO. We simply don't see the benefit and don't have the capacity to defend other countries militarily anyway. Nobody could invade us without declaring war on NATO anyway, except for our neighbours, with whom we are all on more than friendly terms and without territorial grievances. Being a neutral friendly country hosting quite a few UN institutions is a very beneficial arrangement for both Austria and its neighbours. Joining NATO would offer no benefits in this situation.

[@chadliampearcy]

@@AntonGudenus What if Nato invades and divides the spoils?

[@AntonGudenus]

@@chadliampearcy There is no reasonable way for this to happen. Just to list a few of the reasons why this thought is absurd: - NATO doesn't invade any other countries to conquer them. They are a defensive alliance. Nations apply to join and hope to be admitted; instead of being forced into an "alliance" at the tip of the sword like the pacts like the Warsaw Pact. - Austrias neighbours have little to gain from destroying a trusty ally and economic partner. And much more to gain from peacefully trading with them. - Not to mention the fact that Austria is a member of the EU and therefore shares a currency and open borders with most of its neighbours. - Being EU members kind of makes Austria and its neighbours already part of the same super-country. - So there literally is 0 gains to be had for any of our neighbours in invading Austria. - Also due to European history not a single of its neighbouring countries has any territorial grievances with Austria. All this is making this question quite absurd, not to say laughable.

[@chadliampearcy]

@@AntonGudenus Then.. Liechtenstein should be the one to conquer both Switzerland and Austria. Fulfill your destiny! Start your Hero's Journey! We're routing for you.

[@AntonGudenus]

@@chadliampearcy Why though? There is absolutely no need or use for that. Especially since "form its own union" would be a break of neutrality.

[@theviennesecafe8537]

Austrian here: Austria as you rightly said is engrained with being neutral ever since the second world war. The older generations and especially the generations where family members still tell/told stories from the second world war are very aware what it means to be neutral, at peace and the cost of such a war and how people struggled during and afterwards. Also the subject of the Nazi regime and the second World war gets extensively taught in schools which in my opinion is also immensely important so that people stay conscious of what happened back then and to never let it happen again. Austria has always played a role since then to be a mediator and/or creating space for discussions to be held, to this day there are several meetings every year from different agencies that come to meet and discuss and mediate in Austria because it is neutral ground. We enjoy being neutral and the status it has brought Austria the last several decades! I myself grew up hearing stories from my grandparents, some of which had to flee Poland and others who were fighting the nazi regime and some who were part of that regime. It has shaped my world view. We study the build up and the fall of the nazi regime and the second world war extensively in school and therefore every one (or at least the majority) know of the horrors of the times and vowed to never let that happen again. A nation with no military actions, no military alliances, a place for mediation, conversation and respect. Thats why austria is neutral. I know this was a bit of a rambling but i had to add something to this

[@Arbaaltheundefeated]

It's easy to be neutral and idealistic when surrounded by friends, threatened by precisely nobody.

[@theviennesecafe8537]

@@Arbaaltheundefeated We used the chance to make friends through our status and from the knowledge of our past in order to live in a neutral and idealistic way..... yes. true that a lot of countries dont have that privilege but austria worked hard in order to get to that status.

[@stekra3159]

@@Arbaaltheundefeated We stood at the Iron curten with guns for over 35 years.

[@vanbaguette7368]

Everytime we tried to solve our problems with military might, it went horribly. We were always meant to be a diplomatic power, not a military force. That was always our northern neighbours job.

[@sirxander5420]

We even outsourced an angry little man to the north

[@adhirbose9910]

Which did not end very well for them.

[@dominuslogik484]

I guess if you think all the way back to the poorly named "holy Roman empire" your statement still rings true lol. It was less about war and more about inter principality politics before a certain over ambitious Frenchman set the stage for the rise of Prussia.

[@tudormardare66]

Still, you ought to contribute militarily and financially to NATO, as you enjoy the security of the alliance.

[@dominuslogik484]

@@tudormardare66 they don't have to contribute anything

[@TheAustrianAnimations87]

I've been waiting for this video. As an Austrian I can say that being part of the EU is enough (look EU article 42) and we Austrians are not willing to be involved in more wars as we already fought many in history. Not to mention that we are surrounded by NATO states and we're pretty safe. We just need a strong military like Switzerland to defend ourselves. As from now, the vast majority of Austrians and none of the major political parties even think about giving up our neutrality.

[@p.alterego3424]

thats a conflict of logic. either you are safe with nato around you and then you dont need an army. or you arnt then you need also no army. bcs if something can defeat nato. lets say austria is then also no thread. and if nato is your enemy, then you are surounded by enemys and lets say you get outsieged..... so neither way you need an army

[@LuciferOnEarth1234]

@@p.alterego3424 As an Austrian I fully agree. We don't need an army and we should stick the money into an professional full time natural disaster response unit, which should help across Europe. I, and many others of my generation, declined military service(6 months) and rather chose community service(9 months) instead. I myself was already called a "traitor to our fatherland" by an old retired soldier I HELPED as an EMT. This event is still making me angry, as I am proud of my community service work and still stayed as a volluntary EMT after it ended, which helped my country and its people probably more then he did in his whole life.

[@prion42]

@@LuciferOnEarth1234 service is service. Don't give that guy any more thought .

[@Libertarianmobius1]

Austria and Switzerland should contribute to Nato and Ukraine war effort. The Eastern Block countries are the cannon foder that are keeping the russians at bay while you all live comfortable lives. Thats very unfair and your country you be boycotted and blockaded economicly so to contribute to the war effort. At least send material, weapons, humanitarian aid, armed forces to train Ukrainian troops, etc.. It doesn't have to involve killing russian soldiers. Pathetic wimps. When WW3 starts, you better be ready.

[@maslauer6411]

I think I have to add that our military (except Jagdkomanndo) is literally shit

[@majorfallacy5926]

To me as an austrian this video was sort of a test on how trustworthy this channel is in general and I'd say you passed pretty well. Only thing I would've liked to seen added is that both the wedding and the ibiza scandal (as well as pretty much all other russia related scandals) represents the stance of Austrias far-right party, not the country itself. Putin has been using far right parties all across the west to his advantage (cough Trump), he just had especially easy access in Austria.

[@Dodsodalo]

Trump wasn't Putin's friend. He fucking threatened to bomb Moscow immediately, in his first meeting with Putin, if he tried to start a war in Ukraine, during his term. Same with Beijing, Xi, and Taiwan. Man also tried to get Europe off of Russian fuel, and was mocked by the left, then called Putin's friend. So, no, he was not. And America is a FAR different thing than Europe. America has ALWAYS been further to the right than Europe. Especially with the Communism vs Capitalism of the cold war thing. So, no, Putin doesn't really have a lot of influence in the American right wing, because all of it's support for like 80 years was pre established AWAY from Russia. East and Central Europe didn't have that.

[@sebastiangruenfeld141]

Considering the FPÖ is according to you "far-right" they did little to no "far-right" stuff when they were part of the government.

[@whitezombie10]

Yes all right parties have been used by Putin except for the Polish one. Poland is led by the right but still confirmed to be against Russia and even started to heavily rearm itself. At least Poland remembers what Russia did to it

[@jochenzimmermann5774]

as another austrian - nope. the övp has had close ties to russia for decades. especially in the schüssel and kurz era both övp and fpö did everything to further our dependence on russian gas. who cares about putin bombing children (chechnya, georgia, syria, ukraine) if they get a job guarantee (schüssel, schelling, kneissl, leitl...). who torpedoed the kyoto protocol and is responsible for the 400 million euro fine we had to pay for that? schwarz-blau. who torpedoed the paris agreement and will be responsible for the 10 billion euro fine we're gonna have to pay for that? schwarz-blau. and the spö isn't much better, gusenbauers first foreign trip as chancellor was to russia, which shouldn't come as a surprise since he used to kiss the red square in the 80ies. and just like kern after him, putin and his ilk rewarded him with a well paying job.

[@majorfallacy5926]

@@jochenzimmermann5774 You're right, I guess the FPÖ just are the most prominent ones. Though the difference is that vp and sp have generally tried to "play both sides" to varying degrees of success, while the fp is openly russias bitch. Also I'm fairly sure that Kern's position wasn't a reward for pro russian policy but an attempt to gain access to his party network. That's why he immediately laid down his position while Schüssel didn't.

[@AEHTSCH]

As an austrian, I can say that this is a very accurate video, well done!

[@Jefff72]

I have been to Austria four times and absolutely loved it! Ich hab Österreich lieb! I'm American

[@whitezombie10]

There is no advantage in Austria joining NATO. NATO won't attack Austria and no one can possibly arrive to the Austrian border unless NATO falls, but I don't think anyone would be too much interested in attacking Austria, unless Germany goes for a 4th reich

[@Temo990]

Technically not fully true. NATO countries could allow foreign units to pass through. And remember NATO is not a country. It could be a single NATO country which has problems with Austria like Italy who has a very close border area. In that case NATO probably wouldn't go against its own member.

[@whitezombie10]

@@Temo990 yeah but I think it would be hard for a neighbour to decide to attack it or let foreign troops pass. NATO has all interests in keeping the status quo in Europe especially in these hard times where influence on other areas is all but guaranteed. Anyway I am really happy of finally finding this channel

[@Astro_Guy_1]

@@Temo990 NATO would never allow foreign troops to cross their borders, especially if it's a democratic + neutral + EU country. It's so a nonsensical scenario that there is no point even wasting a second on it.

[@whitezombie10]

@@awesomedude4428 yeah I know I was just saying that it would be the only situation in which someone would actually decide to attack a small and weak nation like Austria

[@AustriaCH]

Germany?more like austria if they reject another application they're will be a 4th reich lol *tbh i don't wanna get invaded again so yeah yk*

[@YeenMage]

Why join NATO when you are already surrounded by NATO. Free defense at no extra cost. xD

[@lovableulloriaqtomeetyu]

Correct one it pierce through

[@sinoroman]

not worth it due to their geography. plus, NATO demands land, human, and monetary capital from members

[@f-86zoomer37]

Isn't it funny how every state that is neutral and doesn't want to join NATO isn't bordering Russia? Really says a lot about Russia.

[@dbergerac9632]

NATO does not exist to attack Russia; it exists to defend against Russia. If one NATO member is attacked, all will respond; but if one attacked Russia, most would be like: "What'd you do THAT for?" The world knows where the aggressors live.

[@siegfriedvonwimpffen1257]

Finnland was neutral until russia started bullying Ukraine

[@KPHTvOfficial]

@@bololollek9245 and now NATO is trying to stop Russia on Ukraine for the same Humanitarian reason.

[@jonathanodude6660]

@@bololollek9245 they didnt want independence. there was basically a small civil war going on at the time and russia tried to intervene to change the outcome from the inside when they were blocked by a ukrainian militia that had formed in response to their imposition. when the dust settled, russia was trying to strengthen their position in the country while the militia were accepted as part of the ukrainian armed forces to legitimise the opposition to the ongoing russian invasion.

[@777arksMa77_RGM]

NATO is the new Nazi since Finland always polically alligned with EU

[@charliemagnebautista2902]

I've also found some people in Twitter are furious that Finland and Sweden is joining NATO, some of them saying it's "western imperialism" to defy Putin

[@getnohappy]

Those people need to look up imperialism in the dictionary

[@zimtwiers9726]

How is that western imperialism. They join voluntarily and are basically unrestricted regarding foreign policy.

[@getnohappy]

@@zimtwiers9726 "accuse your opponent of that which you are guilty" as they say. Ya man Putin making overt reference to 'reuniting' the Russian empire? Well just yell 'western imperialism' and relax. All is well.

[@davez325]

More like globalism...Imperialism isn't that far off of a neighbor.

[@miradinic870]

You people forget that Russia has attacked Finland before, and as a result Finland has lost some eastern territory but withstood Russia with efforts of their army, which is now much bigger and stronger. Russia keeps making threats and Finland has the right idea. Their neutrality won't help when Adolf Putin decides that he wants Finland, purportedly belonging to Russia eons ago. In order to resist maniac and protect its people, they do what they have to do to stay free of "tsar wannabe".

[@richardengland7138]

So a bit like going out for a drink with someone who never buys a round .

[@ERMediaOfficial]

As an Austrian, I can confirm this is a solid video^^

[@RobespierreThePoof]

Austria. We love you. Come join the club.

[@luciustitius]

According to the widsom of famous Austrian film director Bill Wilder for them it is no big deal appearing neutral while being drawn to one side in one topic and to another side on another is part of this very special talent. It is an old historic thing showing in a very old saying - Bella gerant alii, tu felix Austria nube. They’re geniuses.

[@AchyutChaudhary]

Would love to see videos about the other 3 🇪🇺EU members about NATO membership too: 🇮🇪Ireland, 🇨🇾Cyprus, and 🇲🇹Malta. Edit: he has already done Ireland!

[@simondahl5437]

They did Ireland. The title is exactly the same, just switch Austria to Ireland.

[@barondavisiscool]

He has literally linked the others made in the description

[@timurdemirkan5272]

Cyprus will never be in as long as Turkey vetoes it, dunno about Malta, do they even have a Military ? Also Ireland pretty much seems neutral

[@AchyutChaudhary]

@@timurdemirkan5272 that’s true, tho I think 🇨🇾Cyprus will backfire 🇹🇷Turkey by vetoing it’s 35-year-long desire of joining the 🇪🇺EU 😂

[@butchkaminsky9470]

Is Iceland part of NATO? I don't hear much about them, besides the high cost of a vacation and not having any McDonald's on the island. That might be a good idea off hand. 😃

[@seneca983]

It's probably more useful for everyone if Austria stays neutral. It can still function as a mediator. Finland and Sweden quite likely can't do that in the same way anymore.

[@businessgoose5731]

Why do you not include Finnmark, Norways northernmost region, in the map of NATO? It is also covered by article 5. I have seen this on several of your thumbnails recently

[@therealzilch]

As a resident of Austria since 1982, I can say that this was a pretty well balanced report. Two pertinent recent factors should also be mentioned: one, we have taken in about 70,000 Ukrainian refugees so far and are trying to get them what they need, although hampered by the still cumbersome Austrian bureaucracy. And two- 80% of our natural gas still comes from Russia. Ouch. That takes a big bite out of the effectiveness of the sanctions we are also applying. What to do is one of the hottest issues here right now. Everyone agrees that we need to quit our dependence on Russia (or Putin], but it's not at all obvious how. Many hope that this is our chance to cut down our use of fossil fuels altogether, but that's easier said than done, especially in a hurry. Cheers from sunny Vienna, and Slava Ukraina, Scott

[@samatha1994]

Austria is part of the EU which includes the commitment that *" if an EU country is the victim of armed aggression on its territory, the other EU countries have an obligation to aid and assist it by all the means in their power, in accordance with Article 51 of the United Nations Charter."* Vienna has said it plans to participate in the EU’s plan to create a Rapid Deployment Capacity of up to 5,000 troops, as codified in the Strategic Compass proposal

[@clever_mag_smart5655]

Pls explain to me how UN-Charter is linked to EU ... these are two different organiziations?

[@HingerlAlois]

@@clever_mag_smart5655 The Article 51 of the UN basically says that countries have the right to defend themselves and their allies if attacked, that’s why the EU mentions it. „Nothing in the present Charter shall impair the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a Member of the United Nations, until the Security Council has taken measures necessary to maintain international peace and security. Measures taken by Members in the exercise of this right of self-defence shall be immediately reported to the Security Council and shall not in any way affect the authority and responsibility of the Security Council under the present Charter to take at any time such action as it deems necessary in order to maintain or restore international peace and security.“

[@clever_mag_smart5655]

@@HingerlAlois Thank you!

[@zaxarispetixos8728]

Except if you are turkey in cyprus and greece we do buisness with you because cheap labor.

[@realmart3451]

Pro NATO Estonian here. Why would it join NATO? It has no real threat to it and would just be drawn in to foreign affairs it has no stakes in.

[@Mohohoh]

Why don't all countries declare to remain neutral. Less military spending for all. Peace and kind regards from Austria :)

[@philardo]

As an austrian, I can't say anyone even favors the idea of NATO membership in the slightest. Our neutrality is just a general thing, that seemingly has no alternative I actually kinda like the though of joining the bloc, since it'd favor both sides and the biggest enemy of NATO is a fascist empire, with zero regards for neutrality to begin with. Plus we're basicly with them in every aspect, except militarily. Although with the expected higher militarization there's probably gonna be loads of issues and I certainly don't want to be conscripted if things go wrong. But alas it's hardly and rarely a question. And with that in mind, I hope if anyone ever sweeps through nato, they'll respect our neutrality Also on the topic of Russia, I feel like everyone just generally liked them, back in the day. When I was in school, we just memed them a lot, but always in the light of them being these strong, badass super soldiers. Although I don't know what adults back then thought, I don't see anyone of any age still stand with Russia. Even people who supported the invasion at the head start, got behind the propaganda in only so much as days

[@IamTheHolypumpkin]

Austria beware of Lichtenstein and especially Switzerland 😂. They could invade at any time without passing through NATO territory. Switzerland is also known for its occasional accidental invasions of it little neighbor Lichtenstein. Maybe thru play the long game and Lichtenstein is in on it 😂. Also Switzerland is probably the only country which could navigate the Alps with heavy military equipment. A Swiss Austrian war is real! Just kidding it extremely unlikely Swiss and Austria are friendly neighbors and only compete in skiing, tunnel and gondola building.

[@davidty2006]

Lichtenstien will leave with 100 and come back with 1000.

[@stekra3159]

If switzerland invades

[@lucasamorelliribeirokornex60]

As much as I like the idea to have Austria inside NATO, I don't think that will not happen anytime soon. The Austrian neutrality and the traditionalism that we developed since the end of WWII are part of our identity, and that will not change unless the threat of War is really next to us.

[@ロース-z7m]

Only 400 km to the Ukraine border, maybe it's time wake up from those eternal peace dreams. You don't have to join NATO, but you need to invest in your defence.

[@philippedefechereux8740]

Thank you. I've been wondering about that question for 3 months. Well done!

[@Nerfclap]

As an Austrian citizen I can tell you we won't ever join NATO. We are proud to be neutral. We are proud to be an important neutral ground for the east and west to negotiate and it is important for us to be neutral to keep important world organisations as mentioned in Austria. Since we are in the EU we are already indirectly woven into the NATO. Therefore it just does not make any sense for us to join. It would actively worsen our political and economical standing in the non western world while providing no benefit to us in reality.

[@clever_mag_smart5655]

well said!

[@matteo2297]

By this logic every country west of Poland could leave because nato will protect you anyway, except the reason that nato is so strong is that as many countries that align with it’s views which also lie around the North Atlantic join in. What I’m basically saying is, it would be reasonable to contribute to the thing you’re benefiting from. Instead of freeloading like a bloodsucking leech.

[@MaxiTB]

Austrians never ever had strong intentions to join any military alliance after WW2. And Austria was pretty much surrounded by Warsow pact and NATO countries for 40 years. Military plans and preparations accounted for both a NATO or a Soviet invasion equally, just because we war now surrounded by just one doesn't change the fact that Austria is still surrounded by non-allied countries.

[@creeperkun4040]

6:50 the armed forces as "natural disaster unit". There was a discussion some years ago in Austria, to focus exactly on that. The discussion was mainly because the army gets low spending and has also low use(currently) so some politicans(I think) mentioned that the military could be changed to just focus on natural disasters and basically having not any real fighting military.

[@raphaelantonrainer]

Bundesheer is a Meme🇦🇹🇦🇹🇦🇹

[@AEIOU05]

In October the government did a whole 180 and announced that the federal army would again be fully focusing on national Defence

[@uncinarynin]

Chancellor Karl Nehammer has been criticized for declaring the debate about joining an alliance closed before it even began. There has been an "open letter" calling for an open debate (with open outcome), and it seems like people are actually starting to discuss which future would be best. Joining NATO would also mean more obligation to invest in the military and help defending other countries. Which isn't that popular in Austria.

[@QiuSe]

Reminder that over 80% of Austrians are against joining, with 63% being strongly against it. The discussion has been over before it began

[@der.Schtefan]

Fun fact: The one gray seat on the "current Austrian government" seat map around 06:00 is the ex of H.C. Strache. The one from the video mentioned earlier ;)

[@angiki9988]

Neither Austria nor Switzerland have any incentive to join NATO. They are already de facto protected by NATO by virtue of being surrounded by NATO states, and no NATO country would want to invade them in the current state of geopolitics in Europe.

[@zimtwiers9726]

The region is defended yes, however if the east falls and NATO has to decide where to deploy its troops on the frontline, Austria would ofcourse be waay lower on the priority list than others like Italy for example. Whilst it could still be attacked as a neutrak state. Look at Belgium and the fact that Nazi Germany still really considered to invade both Neutral Sweden and Switzerland.

[@sebastiangruenfeld141]

@@MrPatch25 I don't think you understand. Why would Austria or Switzerland need aid when any potential invader would need to go through the NATO countries surrounding them?

[@MrPatch25]

@@sebastiangruenfeld141 it's called contributing and I understand perfectly

[@stekra3159]

A nato contry in vading is the most likly canary we are surind by non alyed nations and we will prepare crodingyl

[@lieutenantundercover9329]

Like others already pointed out in the comments that a NATO aliance would not benefit Austria at all. If Russia wants to attack Austria they would need to invade Hungaria and then Russia is already at war against NATO. And NATO would 100% place troupes in Austria to get a strategic advantage and to prevent Russia on getting closer to Germany or France for example, even though Austria is not in NATO.

[@Rob_F8F]

That's interesting. In the scenario you described where Russia invaded Hungary (and therefore NATO), do you think that the placing of NATO troops in Austria be the result of an invitation by the Austrian government or without an invitation?

[@lieutenantundercover9329]

@@Rob_F8F Invited. Austria would not reject any help when threatened. And Austria already lets Nato troups thraspass it's territory. I can not imagine a scenario where Austria would refuse any help and working together even thought not being a member

[@ricardo53100]

Your analysis is correct and that further proves that Austria is sponging off the rest of NATO.

[@u.s.navy_pete4111]

@@lieutenantundercover9329 You make 100% sense.

[@sinoroman]

not worth it due to their geography. plus, NATO demands land, human, and monetary capital from members

[@basharbodhisattva8404]

Austria's agreed upon perpetual official neutrality is why Austrian reunification was allowed as early as 1955 whereas by contrast, it took another 35 years for German reunification to come to fruition in 1990.

[@robforan7876]

Great as always. Just @2:41 you used the UN flag instead of NATO

[@sstff6771]

As austrian i have to say its a great video👏👏

[@ravioli2199]

The FPÖ was replaced by the Greens, not the ÖVP.

[@MTTT1234]

A really well done video, with good insights into the historical context and current situation. As for Austria and its neutrality during the cold war: Well, with what we know now, we were really using our neutrality as a 'psychological fig-leaf' so to speak. We always told ourselves for decades that because we are a neutral nation, nothing can happen to us in case war broke out between NATO and the Warsaw pact. But around the year 2000, we found out how incredibly naive this idea was. It turned out that the Soviet forces in Hungary had stationed somewhere around a dozen or so nuclear missiles and all of them were pointed at Austria. Not even the Hungarian government itself knew of the existence of these missiles until the Soviets withdrew from Hungary. Two of these missiles would have carried a 500 kiloton strong warhead and were both aimed at Vienna, and from the warplans of the Soviets that were released to the public, we now know that in any case of conflict, the USSR forces in Hungary would have vaporized Vienna (our capital with all our instituations), Wiener Neustadt (location of our military academy), our largest military training sites, and possibly even a place Salzburg, as there was the main bunker complex for our government. Yet because of our neutrality, we just ignored every possibility of such attacks, thus we could tell us how save we are and thus not need to spend more on any kind of defense or safety meassurements like large public bunkers in our largest cities, etc. One could say we we were kind of walking through the cold war as if we were stoned on our neutrality.

[@bluegender2005]

Im not an Austrian, but been living in Vienna for almost 9 years now. Being myself from an Eastern European country, I am totally supporting Ukraine and am against Russia. But regarding the neutrality, Austrias role as a bridge builder in the aftermath of the war in Ukraine, will revive the incentive for a non military alliance. We should also not forget that arming of NATO Countries (especially Germany!) following the Russian invasion of Ukraine projects very unsettling future perspectives - more weapons = more diplomatic leverage with competing powers = higher tensions.

[@Marvin-dg8vj]

Bridge building with Russia was tried in Germany and it failed completely because Russia is totally alien to the West. Austria is committed to EU sanctions which is taken as hostile to Putin already.The EU has also bought weapons for the Ukraine. A bigger problem is China.This would be a world wide showdown which would affect almost every country on earth.

[@karankapoor2701]

Austria is landlocked which helps

[@sinoroman]

ukraine is toast

[@ridhaali]

Did anyone notice that none of the vids they say are linked below are actually linked?!!

[@giorgiocooper9023]

Why the hell is Austria not a member of NATO. ? BECAUSE THEY ARE SMART !

[@perfboi69]

Maybe because some European countries don’t want to be tied down to supporting whatever the USA wants, and they value being able to make their own choices hence the military non alignment.

[@Lasershadow]

American Here: As long as Austria is not threaten by Putin and other bully nations I don't see why them not joining is a problem. If it wasn't that Finland and Sweden risked being the next Ukraine I would not even be interested in whether or not they joined. As others have said their surrounded by NATO members, their safe. As long as they don't harbor NATO enemies there is no problem.

[@jensschroder8214]

Austria still has good relations with Hungary, the Czech Republic and the Balkan countries. Hungary is literally Vienna's back garden.

[@JulianSloman]

That's hilarious - I just noticed that earlier today when there was a zoomed out view - apparently some others noticed too

[@yourtime]

As austrian, no. Happy to be neutral

[@dennisammann9104]

Thanks for the education about Austria and NATO. I didn’t know Austria was a neutral country. 🤔

[@nirfz]

Out of curiosity, did you think austria was part of NATO?

[@dennisammann9104]

@@nirfz Yes, I thought Austria was a member nation of NATO. 🤔

[@nirfz]

@@dennisammann9104 thanks for answering!

[@dennisammann9104]

@@nirfz You’re very welcome. BTW, I love Austrian folk music! Although I don’t speak the language, I love to listen and watch the musicians play their instruments. I also love to listen to German and Swiss folk music too. 😀🪗🎼🎵🎶🇦🇹 Best regards to you my friend from across the pond in California. 🖖🙂🌞✨🇺🇸

[@nirfz]

@@dennisammann9104 🙂 Cool thing! Greetings from the alps! Random fact to our folk music: One of the Dubliners (famous irish folk music group) once said in a documentary about their group, that his sister was in austria for some time, and sent him records of our folk music. He liked it a lot too.

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[@okoogbuka5725]

Yes you can start with that

[@mr.coolmug3181]

Someone once said 'when the facts change, so do my opinions.' The facts have changed: European countries are united under NATO and the EU. European nation-states are not at eachother's throats like they were in the 19th and 20th centuries. Germany's drive to power can be channelled beneficially into the European Union and its institutions. England doesn't need to be united to Scotland and Ireland; nor does Germany need to be united with Austria. The political and economic reality and common destiny of Western countries in general, and Europe in particular, has toppled the ghosts of Europe's past. Austria should participate in that destiny by ending it's perpetual neutrality status.

[@RotalHenricsson]

We're neutral and we're staying neutral. That's why.

[@MaxiTB]

On military spending, Austria doesn't have a professional army but uses conscription and universal mandatory military service. So it had in the past a huge reserve force, tons of weapons and the military strategy was always to make it as expensive as possible for a potential invader. Because Austria never had colonies, there's no need for a huge costly offensive military force and those mentioned UN missions are 100% voluntary. Austria's strong point and reason for it's survival is after all diplomacy, spending more on military doesn't make that much difference considering the size of the military blocks surrounding us.

[@masonhancock5350]

Never had colonies? The Austro-Hungarian Empire would like a word.

[@MaxiTB]

@@masonhancock5350 Name one :-) If you actually know your Austrian history, you may also come up with the single colony my country was holding for two weeks.

[@amrutheshumashankar4996]

@@MaxiTB lmao the whole balkans were a de facto colony of Austria Hungary

[@MaxiTB]

​@@amrutheshumashankar4996 Balkan countries were under the rule of the Ottoman empire. There for sure were not Austrian colonies in any regard, at best there were some time limited occupations. At other territories were full integrated into the empire under the 1000 year old feudal system, so again, no colonies.

[@AEIOU05]

The entire Austrian military doctrine throughout the second half of the Cold War was to make entrance into Austria as costly and wasteful as possible. The Hungarian people’s army for example concluded that even with its entire might, it could not pass through Austria without massive support from the Soviet Military. This was without counting in NATO, which would probably have helped Austria with Italian and German troops, given that they could hold the initial phases of the Warsaw pact invasion

[@TheMetalfreak360]

Austria is a country I knew very little of during the Cold War and today. Interesting to see the whys to not joining for example.

[@TheAmericanPrometheus]

A video covering Bosnia, Serbia and Moldova would be interesting as well.

[@davidty2006]

More so moldova with them being next in line. With ukraine being the massive chad holding the russians off so moldova can get it's shit togeather.

[@yoshu4221]

Honestly, it's fine that they're militarily neutral. There are so many hurdles to an invasion of Austria that an invasion of their country is nearly impossible. Any aggressor would have to go through NATO territory/airspace. Even if they did get invaded, they're in the EU and the common defense clause would probably trigger, and at that point the US would likely enter as well. Short of a psychotic break from a certain hostile dictator, which I guess is a non-zero possibillity now, they're safe. They can act as a conduit for international diplomacy.

[@andrew7825]

Is it? Imagine Slovakia gets dragged into the Russia - Ukraine war. The Slovak capital, Bratislava, is minutes from Vienna.

[@valentinmitterbauer4196]

@@andrew7825 If slovakia, a Nato member, gets dragged into a war with russia i wouldn't be concerned about how fast russian troops could reach bratislava, considering that a nuclear missile only needs minutes. NATO vs Russia in direct conflict means atomic anihilation anyway. And the only chance for austria to not get nuked in such a scenario is to stay neutral.

[@stekra3159]

No aggressor woud have crossed nato if anything a nato country attacking is the most likely reason for a war. Austria is still surrounded by non alinged nations. And I think nato members would back ther side. Rember good relation with our nabors are and always have bean our first and beast wall of defence with the bundesheer being a disstend second,

[@danielpalai156]

Funfact: the austrian law forbids Austria to join any military alliance. BUT! Foreign military troops are allowed to go through Austria

[@nirfz]

Pretty good video! The only thing, i think, that is missing, is that the moscow protocols as you called it resulted in the austrian "Staatsvertrag" (state treaty) which is a valid treaty to this day. Signed by the 4 big winning countries and austria. (the original copy of the treaty is in moscow) So, in order to join NATO this treaty would need to be dissolved which would need the 4 WW2 winning big powers(or their inheriters) to agree that austria could join NATO. One of the 4, as we all know, is russia... So in contrast to Finland and Sweden (who opted for neutrality out of their own will decades ago) austria "needs to ask for permission".

[@stekra3159]

I mean theoretically if ther were a NATO referendum and it got the majority we would just change the construction a russia could not really do much but complaine.

[@matthewwatson3593]

Austria is bound by permanent neutrality irrc constitutional along with never rejoining germany although it is in the eu which makes it arguable not completely neutral. As long as it remains independent surrounded by friendly nato states it has no reason to join any military alliances it's a small developed country that can serve now as a fair and balanced diplmatically anyway meditator between the western powers and Russia or and possibly China in the future to find settlements and compromises Edit: Plus if it joined nato or any other alliance it would lose lots of diplomatic leverage as a mediator and just be another nato state. Historically austria has always had an okay military but excellent diplomatic influence even as far back as the days of the empire.

[@ignatzmeyer1978]

Austria has a kind of "if I don't provoke the bully, he won't harm me" mentaltity

[@harth3432]

This makes Austria even more special. Because we know that Switzerland and Norway while part of Continental Europe are not part of the EU. Norway is part of NATO. Yet Austria is part of the EU but not part of NATO..

[@maxthecharacter1296]

Why join the alliance when the alliance is all-around you like a shield? Logically, Austria doesn't need to join NATO because it enjoys the protection of NATO without dealing with some of the burdens that comes with it. Like it was said in the video, Austria is a land-locked nation with NATO members around them. What's the chances of them being threatened by a Russia invasion when their NATO members can do all the work for them before Russia can even taste their air? Answer: Absolutely zero.

[@iqbalindaryono8984]

I mean, NATO could just let the Russians in Austria, cheaper Russian gas would be a boon for several of its members. It would be political suicide to do the above but claiming someone would definitely help a freeloader is a pretty bold claim.

[@maxthecharacter1296]

@@iqbalindaryono8984 Such a scenario isn't possible, but I do like the thought behind it. Indeed, if Austria was located almost anywhere else, NATO won't help a freeloader. However, their location within NATO members really makes it dangerous for the alliance if they allow Russia to cross through their members just to attack Austria, who one could argue is near the geographical heart of NATO. That's especially holds because of the no-fly zone placed by EU members (many of whom are in NATO). So a breach by Russia would immediately activate Article 5 and start a world war, right before Russia could reach Austria.

[@ロース-z7m]

400km to the Ukraine border. That shield is as thick as an egg shell. You are in striking distance of Russia missiles and your air force hardly will intercept Russian air forces longer than for some hours/days. Might be not a very likely scenario, but just keep in mind no one expected Hitler to invaded half of Europe, neither. Prepare for the worst if you want peace, because it will be too late if you wait till you get attacked. And in case of an attack, you will fight that war by your own (probably you won't fight anyway, because with this typical socialist attitude, you anyway expect others do the work/the fighting for you, but no one will).

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[@susannortham11.11]

It's like employees who don't join organized labor unions - they reap all the benefits of being in a union, but don't pay the membership fees. In the US, we call them free-riders.

[@MrPatch25]

Spot on

[@mattia8327]

Always have been, europe is unfortunately full of these micro-states tax-free leeches.

[@clever_mag_smart5655]

As a indipendent country, are we allowed to choose if we want to jon or not? Oversimplifing is nothing that is hurting us. So I wonder, how do you call people that only see the world in black and white in the US?

[@susannortham11.11]

@@clever_mag_smart5655 Of course, you have the right to choose. Just forfeit the benefits the union was responsible for getting you so as not to look like a hypocrite.

[@clever_mag_smart5655]

@@susannortham11.11 I assume you have watched the video ... I have the feeling you missed a major point. We paid for our security ourself until the end of the USSR in 1990. Over 50 % of our border were sorrunded by countries of the warsaw pact members the rest by 2 NATO-member (Germany and Italy) and the neutral Swiss. We never accused any NATO member of leaching or free-riding back than ...nor any Member of the Warsaw-pact. When our neighbors decided to become NATO-Member, after beeing Member of the Warsaw-pact, then it was not because we forced them into this decicion. We simply acceped their right to choose for themself. We became neutral by the faith of the victors of WW2. We kept this pledge since then and we are goint to keep our pledge. You certainly can accuse us for our interaty in keeping promises our ancesters made to get our freedom back. But how dare you to call us hypocrits or leachers. Since the end of WW2 we never through a bomb on foreing soil, we never deported people from ohter countries and lock them up without trial, we never invaded other countries to exploit their recources ... the only thing we want to be is indepandant and neutral ... I can see no evil or unrighous act in that. Pls go your own way as country and grant us the same liberty to do so. Thank you and lots of love to the US from Austria

[@alexeichoquet7822]

But Austria had the 1st head of state to go to Russia and openly condemn Putin's war.

[@Behindthecurtain20]

Head of government

[@twrampage]

For a moment I thought the title said Australia and I was wondering if they had just run out of video ideas.

[@alexs.7915]

I am Austrian and I can say that Austria won't join NATO anytime soon. There are two major reasons. First of all, Austria's history is marked by countless wars and it had a major rule in WWI and WWII. Neutrality in the minds of people (if it's true or not is another question) is the thing that protects us from wars since a small neutral country isn't likely to be the target of anyone. Secondly, there are obvious economic reason. In the last decades, Austrian companies, especially banks expanded and promoted the east including Russia a lot. So by allying militarily to the west, many businesses would face a downfall. The biggest bank in Austria Raiffeisen international would be in big trouble without the Russian business.

[@barbarosbozkurt758]

It'll be a nightmare when Switzerland joins NATO

[@pebo8306]

It will be a"Cold Day in Hell"-till this happens!

[@Peter_Pan_71]

Finn here, just want to comment firstly that it's up to the citizens of Austria to decide whats best for them. Having said that, while I understand this kind of hedgehog defense (relying on your neighbours to do the job for you) it's well kind of meh. Just look at the brave people of Sweden opening their eyes and abandoning 200 years of military non alliance. Times are changing...

[@mdza]

Brave would be to stay neutral against all odds, since Sweden does not represent any political treat to Russia at all

[@joaquindiaz4730]

Yes ,i agree there IS no more neutral ,or you are with democracy or dictatorships thats the world today

[@stefanom3500]

The map in the thumbnail has sooo many mistakes.

[@gcofnz]

“A new low for Russo-Austrian relations”. Lol, might want to rethink that one.

[@not_even_known_yet3167]

Personally I would think the lowest was when the Russians requested military aid from Austria in the Crimean War but it never came because the Austrians wanted an monoply in the Balkans and therefore did not honor its Alliance whit them. Don't think that Realations where that bad even in WW1.

[@TheAustrianAnimations87]

@@not_even_known_yet3167 Honestly, even Austria didn't honour the alliance, staying neutral in the Crimean War was the better decision for the Habsburg Monarchy. Austria was severely weakened from the 1848-49 revolutions, so helping Russia would only cause another Hungarian revolution, an Anglo-French blockade in the Adriatic Sea and a Franco-Sardinian invasion of the Lombardy like in 1859. It would result in a huge disaster for Austria.

[@not_even_known_yet3167]

@@TheAustrianAnimations87 Yes I agree. They did not have the Stability to help the Russians and if they did it could have quiet possibel have weakend the Empire enough to splitt. However I was only revering to when the Realations where the lowest not what would have been the "right thing" to do. Furthermore where Austrian fears of an strong Russia that would want to "free" Slavs and take Slavic Territories from them quiet the real threat, the Russians would have also stopped Expansions into the Balkan, at least in long Term. So I would say that the Austrians did make the right Call whit staying out of it.

[@TheAustrianAnimations87]

@@not_even_known_yet3167 Good points, the Crimean War was indeed the lowest point.

[@stanjenkinson4520]

Nice to see a real live human being talking to me instead of some robotic voice

[@GustavSvard]

I think that last point on Austria in the longer term having to choose between joining NATO and being part of an EU army is both true and missing a vital point: now that Sweden & Finland will join NATO (unless Erdogan keeps making insane demands) I'd say the EU army is in fact closer to existence than before. The closer we get to an EU that is all part of NATO the easier it will be to have EU armed forces groups set up as a multi-national rapid response units within the NATO structure. There already exists an embryo of this within the EU structure, but should all EU members also be NATO members I can see the military supposedly under EU control growing much faster since there'd be far less quibble over split loyalties or over which alliance takes precedence.

[@JamesC785]

Interesting - thanks again TLDR I never knew about 1955, which is quite amazing (& explains a great deal). Contributing to the nascent EU defence force makes the most sense, otherwise along with Hungary it would be seen as the EU's achilles heel.

[@sebastiangruenfeld141]

Contributing to an EU army would end Austrian neutrality.

[@JamesC785]

@@sebastiangruenfeld141 Austria already participates in CSDP activities.

[@nikolaishmelev7837]

The Austrian State Treaty (German: Österreichischer Staatsvertrag) or Austrian Independence Treaty was signed on 15 May 1955 in Vienna among the Allied occupying powers (France, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the Soviet Union) and the Austrian government. The Treaty forbids Austria from joining military alliances. If Austria breaches the Treaty, then one or more Allied powers can re-establish their occupation zones in Austria.

[@ryankline1164]

Know who else is neutral? Moldova, which is actually more neutral than Austria. I guess we'll see how well that works out for them.

[@rafalszczepanski98]

I hope Austria will not join NATO. Some countries must remain neutral in order to help stabilize the geopolitical situation.

[@ricardo53100]

If you were really neutral like Switzerland you would not in the EU and not cooperate with NATO in its Partnership for Peace Program. Do you not realize that ?

[@aeilious2519]

as an Austrian myself, I hope we won't join. Don't need any more reason than maintaining the hard to acquire neutrality

[@vault34overseer]

While enjoying the de facto security protection by NATO.

[@aeilious2519]

@@vault34overseer sure, we are surrounded by nato members and I won't argue that that is not one factor but there is not a single war austria would win and no way that it could even realistically defend itself from an invasion. I love my country but I would not take up arms to defend it unless I'd die anyways. Neutrality is austrias only defense. Staying out of war and hoping to be left alone is all the country can do.

[@herosstratos]

Austria does participate in several NATO / EU military staffs / command structures. But of course Austria has no intention of terminating the Austrian State Treaty. Pacta sunt servanda.

[@n.hermanto9667]

Austria: We lean toward joining Nato. Pootin: I will attack you. Austria: We will continue to be neutral then. Pootin: Good. I will only annex some of your land then.

[@idraote]

Austria is small and feels very safe. Lodged between Germany and Italy, it probably thinks it can be protected by their militaries in the utterly unlikely event of an invasion. They don't have to spend money on defence but they feel safe anyway.

[@doujinflip]

Neutrality isn't necessarily the lack of enemies, it's the lack of reliable friends who would reactively come to their aid. A truly neutral state would be self-sufficient with its military, much like Switzerland, Singapore, and up to now Finland.

[@DS9TREK]

There are no truly neutral countries. During WWII, neutral countries like Ireland, Switzerland, Sweden had to make compromises to survive. Switzerland allowed Nazi's to hide their stolen loot and themselves in the county. Sweden allowed Norwegian citizens to train as 'police' officers in their country. Really they were recieving military training so they could liberate Norway. Sweden gave in to British pressure to allow it. Ireland allowed the RAF to cross its border so it could bomb the Nazi navy in the north Atlantic. They also signed a secret defence deal with Britain that would see Britain come to Ireland's aid if the Nazi's invaded.

[@ロース-z7m]

@@DS9TREK But you know Switzerland also had a defence treaty with France in case Germany tried to bypass the Maginot Line? Does it make Switzerland more neutral in your view now? 🤣

[@richlopez5896]

They have ZERO reason to be a part of NATO.They have NO enemies and are surrounded by NATO countries.Same thing for neighboring Switzerland which also has NO enemies or need to be in any military alliance

[@Kilud]

Because they don´t want to. And why should they be in that Evil Pact?

[@ranar1036]

You said it - they don't want to be in Hell!

[@Scar626]

Why the hell aren't they in NATO? Why would the be? Think about it this way: A - What do you get for joining? When attacked you will be defended as well as attacking any other country attacking a NATO country. Also you will be a target in a full scale nuclear exchange, should the US and Russia go at it B - Okay, so if you don't join you won't be defended when attacked and also don't have a nuclear bomb hanging over your head. Now for Russia to attack Austria they'd have to go through other NATO members like Poland, so what's the point? You think Poland would just let them through to attack Austria? I doubt it. And the moment Russia goes into Poland, the US gets involved, in which case it's WW3 in which case full scale nuclear war and then all of NATO and Russia will drown in nuclear fallout (doubt Austria might survive that, but at least they won't be the target of a nuke and might be slightly better off and also they don't to waste that money on defense)

[@kostakatsoulis2922]

Also they're landlocked, and its called the NORTH ATLANTIC Treaty Organization, so...

[@mahnas92]

"Now for Russia to attack Austria they'd have to go through other NATO members like Poland, so what's the point? You think Poland would just let them through to attack Austria?" Actually, yes, I think so! Think about it. If Russia were crazy enough and had will enough to invade Austria (prior to invasion of Ukraine, the invasion of Ukraine was unthinkable), then Poland would need to let them through, in the same way countries like Sweden really can't retaliate against Russia when they constantly breach our airspace. Why is this? Because stopping Russia militarily, would make Poland a target, and we'd have a NATO vs Russia war, instead of just letting it be a Austria vs Russia war. This is also why NATO and the EU only can talk big about Ukraine, and quietly send some help to Ukraine, but not actually do anything about Russia decimating cities, butchering civilians and occupying more and more of Ukraine.

[@kostakatsoulis2922]

@@mahnas92 no way, no country would let another country's army just go through them to attack a friend, thats like basic geopolitics 101. And ESPECIALLY Poland would never in a million years let Russia just send an army through it, no matter the size, without a hell of a fight

[@vipecrx]

"public opinion" on neutrality is the same as in Ireland. They know they have their back covered so why bother? Except in this case the far right is way more present.

[@clever_mag_smart5655]

Not only the far right, the peoples party (OVP) is more dangerous for our democratic system. They are the only party that had installed a dicatorial regime in Austria before 1939.

[@dragonfly4441]

As someone who lives here, I would really like this place to stay neutral. I am not very superstitious but WWI and WWII started too close to home, and I really rather Austria not to test fate.

[@Noneofyourbizniz1]

If Austria was on the border with Russia, u Would think differently. Look at Sweden who as been neutral for 200 yrs, now they and Finland 🇫🇮 joining nato cuz they saw what happened in UKraine another neutral country being invaded by no other Russia. So be thankful u r surrounded by NATO members and part of the EU. Y’all r safe from any invasion From Russia.

[@Behindthecurtain20]

Austria was bordering the Warsaw Pact for 40 years. They were bordering Hungary that got invaded by the Russians in the 50s. They were bordering Yugoslavia when a civil war broke out right at Austrian border. I don't think they would quit their neutrality even if Russia was their neighbour

[@santiagoalcantara3806]

7:15 which potential? I mean it have sense in Swedish and Finland cases but there is no any strategic reason to join for Austria. Even more there is strategyc deterrence to not join as not be involved in a war that strategily don't matter for Austria.

[@lukasfranke5591]

2:29 Austria casually paying with the Euro in 1999 already 3 years ahead of the rest

[@FrostSpike]

Just equip and train them to NATO standards, but leave out Article 5. They'll get the protection of the EU and the fact that they're surrounded by NATO members. They'll be able to participate in joint manoeuvres and be supplied by Western countries - much like Finland has been. Seems like the best of both worlds.

[@TheAustrianAnimations87]

Don't worry, there's also the EU article 42 as you mentioned before.