Why Sweden Is Immune To Wars

Why Sweden Is Immune To Wars
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Link to sources:
docs.google.com/document/d/1N...
Video by - Oliver Franke
Script by - Charles Street and Oliver Franke
Editing & Animations - Ahmed Jasim

[@Qureas]

The Nordic Alliance would have been such a cool addition to European politics. And I'm probably one of the few in Scandinavia who would have liked Scandinavia to be united as one nation, though it would have had to happen much earlier (as a follow up on the Kalmar union probably) in order for everyone to actually feel like they are Scandinavian, rather than Norwegian, Danish, Swedish. If all the nations in the north united (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland and Finland) We would have close to 30 mil pop and probably one of the strongest economies in Europe. This would also include Greenland, Shetland and the Faeroe Islands giving us complete domination of the North Sea. Well shit Now I need to play EU4 again...

[@willieb165]

Drömmen. Jag ser oss som ett folkslag ett brödra-systerskap inte så här många andra länder har med lika många länder som norden.

[@micshaz]

well in theory we are already united through the nordic council and incredibly good passports to eachothers countries. a union not in name though :)

[@mannerheim1547]

​@@micshaz language is the only problem

[@gatesaver]

@@mannerheim1547 norwegians, danes and swedes understand each other, a minority of finland speaks swedish and iceland is iceland. also english exists

[@ManneFresh]

@@gatesaver Norwegians and Swedes understand each other, the Danes, it's a weird a*s language... :')

[@mannerheim6147]

In Finland we have a joke about this: What is the Swedish official defense plan? -Finland

[@KulJul]

That's kinda sad but also true. Though we (Swedes) should help Finland militarily in case of an attack since we share the front line.

[@thedangerzone9399]

Also. "Swedes will fight untill the last Finn". Since the 1500's

[@PowerslideSWE]

@@KulJul As we did during the winter war...

[@KulJul]

@@PowerslideSWE I said "should" not "will", there is a difference. Also the winter war is very distinct from any kind of future conflict so I don't understand why you bring it up.

[@Tokilainen]

For always

[@Kufunninapuh]

As a Swede it's really interesting to see Sweden portrayed from the outside. It's so common in pop culture that we are confused with Switzerland or sound German and är named something Norwegian. This was a breath of fresh air and I learn a lot about or more recent military history. Thanks!

[@aditube8781]

I literally didn’t realize this was Sweden not Switzerland till I read this

[@unfathomablyunfathomable]

@@aditube8781 american moment

[@aditube8781]

@@unfathomablyunfathomable bruh I’m Indian

[@unfathomablyunfathomable]

@@aditube8781 stereotype americans suck at geography so I made a joke

[@crabobserver]

​@@aditube8781indian moment

[@bjornh4664]

Sweden wasn't immune to war during WW2, or rather: not immune to blackmail. As all international trade with countries other than Germany and Finland had to go through the Skagerrak (the wide strait between Norway and Denmark), anyone controlling those waters and/or the North Sea could cut off Sweden from imports vital to the rearmament and the overall supply of the population. There are people who think that Sweden should've joined the Allies in 1940 (the Allies who were quickly beaten by Germany), but they fail to recognize that Sweden was in a very weak position, with no offensive capacity (few tanks, obsolete aircraft, army in need of training, etc).

[@LillaVargR]

how the fuck did we trade with the allies during the war then.

[@LillaVargR]

@@Trollgen yea but he said that the germans made it so we couldnt trade with the allies in the comment and yet we still did.

[@revilivaille7861]

Yet Swedish leaders still went out of their way to rat on Jews to Germany for absolutely no reason

[@LillaVargR]

@@revilivaille7861 bruh what are you on we let jews escape to sweden and hid as many as we could.

[@bjornh4664]

@@revilivaille7861 Please provide examples.

[@erikrusso9808]

Sweden has individual security agreements with many countries during the application phase. Countries like Norway, Denmark, Finland, Germany, the UK, the Baltics, the US and Canada would all defend Sweden if needed

[@walken5319]

Just like Poland when they had non aggresion pact with Germany? Or when UK and France ”helped” them out?

[@Alex-yz6uq]

@@walken5319 The Allies entered the war due to Germanys Invasion of Poland, so they kinda held their promise in joining on Polands side.

[@hubert4646]

@@Alex-yz6uq not really. They "entered" the war but did almost nothing to help Poland

[@Theowest]

fuck yea!

[@Haloguy3959]

@@hubert4646 They still joined the war.

[@davidLAMF]

A big argument early on for the option of a northern defense alliance instead of nato was Finland, and how a nato membership could affect Finland during the "Finlandization"-era. Eventually the negotiations didn't work out, Norway and Denmark joined nato while Sweden stayed neutral with Finland and consequently I would argue few countries have a more interlinked national security strategy than Swe and Fi. When public opinion recently swung in Finland in favor of joining nato, this was the factor that tipped opinion in Sweden, even more than Russias invasion of Ukraine itself. Had Finland not wanted to join, Sweden would still have majority against joining nato.

[@andreasjorgensen8597]

No no, when Finland said no to Nordic defence, support for it fell apart. Denmark was very much for it.

[@captaincopium4089]

Nuke them both!

[@tsugumorihoney2288]

Finland had a neutrality treaty signed with the USSR which forbade joining any alliances

[@davidLAMF]

@@tsugumorihoney2288 Yes the worry about how a Swedish nato membership then would affect a Finland outside of nato was the main reason Sweden decided to stay neutral

[@CoolaJokern]

No, it was not. I'm Swedish and didn't even know about Finland's stance despite my father being Finnish. The tipping scale was the invasion of Ukraine and how close to home geographically Ukraine is situated

[@Jerrkolino]

One of Sweden’s main strategy’s for avoiding conflict is that our military is heavily focused on being able to destroy incredibly expensive equipment with very cheap. There a small boat called “stridsbåt 20” that cost around 2 Million dollars that could quiet easily destroy much bigger ships worth anywhere from 10 million and up. There a somewhat famous atleast in Sweden story of a joint exercise between many countries were one Swedish submarine managed to sink a American hanger ship, those big ones with a lot of planes on top. If that had been for real the difference in money spent and enemy equipment destroyed would be astronomical.

[@ericjordan2890]

Its a joiny exercise? And kamikaze planes use to do the same cost effective strategy.

[@JorgenKreedz]

​@ericjordan2890 USA rented that submarine for 2 years and paid 200 million dollars. Clearly, they saw it as a possible threat.

[@benghazi4216]

I think it's funny that we always hear about the trade with Germany, but never the fact that Sweden kept the allied side in the war by selling them vital parts, like our full production of world class wheel bearings. Instead we hear some small thing about saving some Jews, which should be a given for any moral human. It's such a shallow reading of history that it almost becomes slander.

[@bengoacher4455]

The ball bearing provided to the Allies were also provided to the NAZIs. Pretty sure the Allies would've preferred Sweden did not trade with the NAZIs at all!

[@regretfullchief8866]

@@bengoacher4455 True but if sweden did not do that then we would not have been able to keep our neutrality and been under danger of germany.

[@benghazi4216]

@@bengoacher4455 Stop making up things, ie lying. We sold the whole production to the allies so their war machine could function. Real historians agree, like Mark Felton. Germany was allowed less important things, like steel from Kiruna. Of course the allied would prefer Germany to be cut off. But that would've made Sweden into a non neutral state, which is kind of an important factor here...

[@MyVanir]

@@bengoacher4455 And if they didn't trade with both sides, they would've been occupied and then EVERYTHING would've gone only to the Germans.

[@skreem3]

@@benghazi4216 I remember reading somewhere that both the Nazis and the Allies used SKF ball bearings and that the UK threatened to blow up the factory if we (Swedes) didn't stop selling them to the Nazis 😅 Talk about shooting yourself in the foot🤣

[@sampohonkala4195]

It is slightly misleading to say Sweden controlled Finland. It is a bit like saying the US controlls California. And Finland was less of a State than California; it was simply the Eastern part of Sweden. The other areas pointed out on the map are regions in other countries that Sweden controlled for a while, but Finland had never been a separate country - it was practically a frontier ruled by nobody but every Finn for themselves, and then part of Sweden.

[@venzraps]

So true, and hopefully you will return to being a part of Sweden one day

[@gabrieljean-batiste2006]

@@venzraps Look at you promoting imperialism in the comments, lol.

[@didrik9515]

This is simply not true. Finland proper and the coastal areas was an incorporated part of Sweden and had the right to vote for a swedish monarch around 1300-1400. Many finish cities were built by acts of swedish kings. The eastern areas were succesfully incoproated as well through wars with Novgorod and through colonisation efforts (building forts etc). Also it was a good thing for both Finland and Sweden that they were split by the russians. Sweden could avoid Russian invasions because Russia felt the western border secured with finland being russian, Finland could also develop their own identity apart from Sweden. The nations still together would probably mean civil war over cultral differences.

[@clt_main3136]

@@venzraps honestly it would be so fun if Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Finland and Denmark united.

[@MegaWunna]

@@didrik9515 I think it would be like in Spain, since spain has many territories in spain proper that speaks other languages than Spanish.

[@alexlycan8]

Thank you for giving a informative, historical and geopolitical video of my homeland Sweden. I always love when these sort of videos comes through, because I am always eager to hear what others have for information on Sweden.

[@linushammarkyro4075]

if we go to war we go to valhalla after

[@Wpeter1611]

Indeed 🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪

[@alexlycan8]

@@linushammarkyro4075 Oh you bet

[@Senzawa69]

I know sweden participate in Napoleonic war and defeated 4 times so I guess you could see the foresaw what the germans about to do

[@BsBsBock]

But the conflicts inside Sweden are on the rise

[@SupremeLeaderKimJong-un]

1:36 The Swedish embassy is within the former embassy for the German Democratic Republic (better known as East Germany in the West). Today it is not just the Swedish embassy, but also the British and German embassies as well as a French Cooperation office. It serves as consular representation for Finland, Iceland, Italy, Canada, Australia, and protective force for the US too. We bought exactly a thousand Volvo 144s from Sweden in the 70s. Twice a year Sweden sends out new invoices that we still ignore. Why? Because they shared their Volvos with us, thus they're *OUR* Volvos.

[@wankZkills]

Best comment on this video

[@PhaserFelix]

Off-topic a bit, but I am swedish and just wanna tell yall a fun fact. When my uncle was training in the military, they used water guns on each other to train. If I remember right, according to my uncle memories, he said every month a certain group of people in a certain age was forced to pick up water guns and fight other cities. That was all.

[@questionsayer]

Det låter både härligt och underhållande. Man får ha lite roligt även i militären

[@AwkwardFox0980]

Why couldn’t war be like that like just water guns instead of actual shit that murders people :(

[@Cythil]

A bit of context should be given to Germany gaining access to Sweden to get to Finland. Germany and Finland was working with each other to stop the USSR from taking control of Finland. And Swede did not want Finland to fall to USSR. No, the more controversial bit is that Sweden also allowed German troops to pass though Sweden to get to Norway after Germany had invaded and taken control of Norway. That and the trade with Germany are the main points why many saw Sweden more as a puppet of the Nazi regime. Though in reality is more correct to say that Sweden made deals with both sides to try to stay out of the war. Since Sweden also provided a lot of information to the allies, which amongst other things help the allies sink Bismark. Switzerland also played this neutrality game not totally isolating themselves, but also not to try to favour one side too much. And that is the price of neutrality. You can not pick sides. You have to try to balance things so not to be drawn in to conflicts.

[@neutrino68]

Very insightful and well said.

[@biggibbs4678]

Neutral countries are not allowed to let troops pass through they have to detain them for the duration of the war. Sweden supported the Nazis and was not neutral

[@AnotherDuck]

People also have their own way of defining ”neutrality” to suit their argument. For instance, trading with Germany is seen as allying with them, but trading with the UK is somehow still a neutral act. In reality, trading is the norm, and blocking trade is breaking neutrality. Sweden was still only arguably neutral, but that went both ways, in particular considering both major sides of WW2 had plans to invade Sweden.

[@Cythil]

@@AnotherDuck That depends a bit on what era you look at also. But during WWII era, trading with other countries were more the norm than not. Even more so today. So I agree that by the standard of the time it was not an abnormal thing to do. Even if war, still tend to shift views on trade even when it is the norm. (Trading during the era of mechanicalism would be far more an diplomatic thing. But that is due to the ideals of the time. And even then selling stuff was seen as good, but not buying stuff.)

[@AnotherDuck]

@@Cythil Well, in this case, Sweden has been trading with Germany since before Germany was Germany. That probably had a lot to do with a lot of the pro-German thoughts during the war.

[@starwarsgeek8960]

I would really like to see this series keep going, it's super interesting and informative to watch. Keep up the excellent work!

[@RenneDanjoule]

Play Hoi4. Sweden is never immune to war, first you take Denmark, and you walk right on over.

[@4_youtube_is_dead]

does it immune to me?

[@sebbimon]

The reason we really are immune to wars: The Wallenberg Family. Check out the podcast "The Best Kept Secret of the Deep State" if you want a history lesson about Sweden.

[@sebbimon]

@@Black_Boomer_Droid huh?

[@Aboleom]

The draft was actually reinstated a few years ago and is now slowly growing each year, once again giving us a good number of people capable of picking up weapons in defence of the country, as well as expanding our military. Also, we didn't just control Finland, Finland was a part of Sweden as much as Normandie is a part of France, to give an example. From the mid 13th century up until 1809 what is todays Finland was "just" the eastern part of Sweden, a fully integrated part of the country, not just controled by it. Except from that, great video :)

[@hi-wf9ql]

8:53 Fun fact, on the yellow house on the far left, about one meter above the red canopy you can see a dark spot on the corner. That is actually a canon ball lodged into the wall. It was once said it was a stray cannon ball aimed at he Danish king Christian II (or "Christian the Tyrant") from 1520 during Gustav Vasa's siege of Stockholm (following the "The Stockholm Bloodbath"). Truth is however that when the house was rebuilt in 1795 the owner had the canon ball fitted into the wall in Memoriam of the siege, which had led to Christians retreat.

[@OGNord]

Dude I’m a Swede living in LA and you using stock footage form my hometown that’s taped during the summer made me cry. Damn that was an emotional rollercoaster lmao. Just random flashbacks.

[@baverfjant]

Stockholm? Literally every video on KZbin about Sweden as a country uses Stockholm as stock footage :D

[@OGNord]

@@baverfjant actually he managed to find stock footage of Malmoe which never happens! That’s why I was so thrown off!

[@LanternOfLiberty]

I live in the California Central Valley, originally from Gothenburg. I get those feelings once in a while while on the internet.

[@baverfjant]

@@OGNord Oh I see haha. Yeah definitely not as common but I've definitely seen Turning Torso a couple times :D

[@AnotherDuck]

@@baverfjant Yeah, that’s one of the more common Swedish buildings seen in videos. Stockholm is a bit overrepresented, but it is 10-20% of the population depending on how you count.

[@comedyriff5231]

Sweden and Finland typically overperform in many areas. They´re about 16 million people combined, but look at what they perform in the Olympics, the economy, technology, science etc. They will actually strengthen NATO a little bit. Sweden has already said they ill up their defence budget to 2% in the next couple of years, so their military will quickly become stronger as well

[@mattiasdahlstrom2024]

Ethnic Swedes will be a minority by 2050 unless drastic measures are taken. Such measures will be very unpopular with the EU leadership or the US ruling elite

[@alexismedor6182]

Alfred Nobel completely changed the entire world, for example

[@SaabJAS39GripenE]

​@@alexismedor6182and all inventions from those countries too

[@SkogsMangan]

Estimate is 2.16% of GDP for 2024, plan is to increase to 2.6% in 2030.

[@Tobez]

Very informative video. Thanks!

[@alicediana9287]

Keep this series going 👏 👏 👏

[@thhomm]

i’ve been watching since a year ago and each video has always been top quality!!

[@josephcortese3986]

Always a pleasure to wake up to an informative video on historical and modern geopolitics! Thanks for the great content!

[@ville9738]

and this video has none. good job... jeesu fucking christ

[@JohnnyCalzone420]

Denmark: “it wasn’t always like this..”

[@ice_wolfie]

😭 oh the wars we used to have

[@Marcus-ur3kr]

We can thank Finland for that, they've been the shield for the North during the history

[@dylanhoyt1390]

another awesome video OBF! thanks for making me sound smart at dinner parties!

[@ancientwarrior3482]

"Why Sweden is unconquerable" 1. Finland 2. NATO 3. Finland 4. Finland 5. Swedish technology Honorable mention: Finland

[@johanbergman2343]

Quite funny, but also very true! As a Swede I´m grateful for having Finland as a brothercountry.

[@manhoosnick]

And Ikea

[@openingbarley0939]

They’re being conquered by low fertility rate of swedes and importing millions of blacks and Western Asians with significantly higher fertility rates. If these trends continue, stop or isn’t reversed, then swedes will eventually become a small minority in their own native homeland. Thus they will be conquered through outbreeding

[@JorgenKreedz]

Sweden and Finland are sort of in it together, both are fucked if one is conquered

[@sepi477]

@@johanbergman2343 lolo you meant as a buffer zone? :D Ok it's nice to be frens

[@marleyjanver6556]

i actually am from sweden and i am very interested in history of the eu and scandinavia but i learned lot of new stuff watching this video keep up the good work and best of luck to you

[@TheLivirus]

Great summary!

[@jm-holm]

A couple of flaws. Sweden was not neutral in WW2. When the USSR invaded Finland in 1939, Sweden declared itself "icke-krigsförande", approximately "not warring", rather than neutral. When it comes to post-WW2 alliances, Finland was blocked by the USSR from joining NATO. A Nordic alliance was planned instead, but the USSR blocked Finland from being part of it once again. Denmark and Norway went into NATO instead, while Sweden stayed "neutral" in order to not leave Finland alone with the USSR.

[@jm-holm]

@@eno6712 Not really, he mentioned that in the video himself (though you mean iron ore), so didn't need to point that out. You think I'm Swedish, but I'm the one who's dumb? Go back to your closet Ivan.

[@davidjoelsson4929]

@@jm-holm how do you know his name?

[@jm-holm]

@@davidjoelsson4929 6th sense

[@ancientwarrior3482]

@@eno6712 Had to give the iron and coal to the Germans either the hard way, or the easy way

[@ahwabanmukherjee5065]

Well said

[@simonsaysno]

OBF: How Sweden Became Unconquerable Also OBF: They can last 3 months

[@Ossian-dr1vr]

@@SwedishBroManDude ukraine has a larger population

[@houndofculann1793]

@@Ossian-dr1vr Ukraine also has mostly flat fields that should be easy to attack through. Sweden is full of forests, hills and the capital is surrounded by an archipelago, all pretty defensive.

[@BeeTriggerBee]

@@SwedishBroManDude Hahahahahaha, missat att vi har monterat ner försvaret till enbart ett skal av sina glansdagar? Problemet är manskap då vi har tillräckligt med materiel (om än gammalt) så pass så att vi hade kunnat nästan förse varenda pluton med ett fordon, så dom stackarna inte behöver gå. Nu har vi verkligen möjlighet att massmobilisera unga män och numera kvinnor som majoriteten aldrig gjort militärtjänst på kort varsel?

[@TalesOfWar]

@@houndofculann1793 The Swedish coast is also (historically at least) very well fortified. The locations are still strategically useful for emplaced guns. The tech has changed but the geography hasn't. If Russia wants to invade via the sea they still need to go that way.

[@adamjohanssonn]

@@Ossian-dr1vr sweden has very good technology tho, robots and planes etc. would be a bigger issue for russia, and the forests and hills

[@technicklive6311]

Thank you for the explanation I as a Swedish citizen I've always wondered.

[@baldrian22]

if i dont remember wrongly sweeden also takes part in the large winter training campagne that takes place in the northern part of norway each winter.

[@dreamer6737]

Like the Swedish PM said, when the world finds itself in turmoil it feels good to be among good friends. 🇩🇰🇳🇴🇫🇮🇺🇸

[@castroglez1613]

The U.S IMO cannot be considered a good friend. Maybe a friend but not a good one

[@zjeee]

Sure, or she took a look at the polls showing 75%+ support to join NATO and an incoming election months away :).

[@davids5126]

Good friends would sell oil and natural gas to their allies in need at a discount, not at the same or higher price than they sell to China, for example. When they try to make money from the problems of their allies, they are not as good friends as they pretend to be.

[@GMTalks]

David S sweden doesnt have Oil lol

[@elenhin]

"friends". Are you f-ing kidding me. 😂

[@ChairmanMeow1]

If the Ukraine war has taught me anything though its that esprit de corps and logistics REALLY matter in war. Its not so much who has more soldiers and tanks any more. Sweden could have the capability to cripple Russias electrical grid, cyber warfare, etc etc. Its a different era of warfare these days. Im not saying Sweden could win a unilateral war against a larger country, Im just saying... things have changed.

[@janejustin1788]

very true, when Russia invaded Ukraine, i expected it to take over the entire country in a month!

[@physiocrat7143]

We are so dependent on IT systems that we could be crippled by hackers. The Russians would take us down by cyber warfare. This is even a risk in the event of natural phenomena. A few years ago small fire in an equipment cupboard took out railway services at a key junction for a couple of weeks. Whoever has been taking these decisions is reckless. But then we also have problems making good decisions.

[@TalesOfWar]

@@janejustin1788 So did the Russian generals. Kind of amazing considering many in the west estimated to achieve that they'd have needed to invade with well over 1million troops.

[@TwitchCronos100]

Yep, we're all seeing that Russia is actually not as powerful as we have thought, they're very much stuck in ww2 warfare still and suffering now because of it.

[@yadwig]

@@TwitchCronos100 as a Russian citizen I can assure you, that this country's problem is not the lack of modern warfare. It's rather wasteful use of it and incompetent commanders. We live in daily circus seeing news about troops left alone with zero commandment and medals of honor given to dead criminals (like that one guy who killed his wife and then went from prison straight to war). Gonna be living like in North Korea soon.

[@joanz4811]

I would wish that Finland, Denmark, Sweden and Norway could form a new "Kalmar Union" and do a CivIII and create the country of Scandinavia. We are all very similar, and most of us are closer to each-other culturally compared to most. We could become stronger as a whole.

[@Komaveli]

No no no, We Finns, are way different compared to rest of scandinavia. Language is one the prime examples. There are similarities, but our independence was claimed with blood and sacrifices. We’ve had enough of Swedes or anyone else telling us what to do.

[@bafattvahetere]

And Iceland, of course.

[@bafattvahetere]

@@Komaveli After "been told" for about 700 years it's understandable. Still the "intelligensia" and the "upper class" speak Swedish.

[@flingborg]

@@Komaveli Swedes nere told you what to do, Finlans whas Sweden for 700 year, there whas no you.

[@zippersocks]

You make my bus commutes more educational than they have to be. Thank you!!

[@hammerliz6821]

Great video as always. At 1:51 does anyone know the program that is being used to edit? I’ve seen this square type of background before, but I can’t figure out what program.

[@philjamprimate]

Davinci Resolve, Adobe Premiere, After Effects, Final Cut, Avid.... Take your pick

[@alparslankorkmaz2964]

Nice video

[@kiaraah8124]

Can i ask what flag is the third soldier holding at 2:35 next to the usa flag?

[@TilmanBaumann]

1:39 Perhaps important to mention that this embassy is the former Estern German embassy and now used by multiple countries.

[@Fuhrerjehova]

Weird title. Video didn't say anything about Sweden being unconquerable. I can tell you though. Russia would either have to do a large scale amphibious assault, which they lack competence for, while fighting a western standard airforce, modern submarines and a small but competent and well armed force when they hit land. Bad. Or, they would have to go through northern Finland and then go south. For a long way. To force a peace you'd have to go south of Dalälven (river). That's like 1300 kms from Russia, if you stick to the main road close to the coast. Further if you go inland. And there's like two roads suitable for heavy vehicles and one or two railways (of non Soviet gauge btw). Logistics would be fucked. And all of that woodland around it would be highly suitable for light infantry to stage ambushes on the supply chain. We probably couldn't defend Gotland in the end. And perhaps not some of our most northern cities. But the heartland where most of the population live is out of Russia's reach. It's worse for our Finnish brethren.

[@zjeee]

Really, did you forget our good friend the ÖB stated Sweden would be able to resist an attack for at most a week then if no help arrived we would be occupied? I am happy to hear you have some confidence in our ability to defend ourselves because our military leaders don't.

@@zjeee they say that to increase the military budget, which is understandable

btw, he later took back that expression...

[@Fuhrerjehova]

@@zjeee 1. That was in 2013. The Swedish Armed Forces are actually in a way better shape today. 2. ÖB probably, like the rest of us, overestimated Russian ability. 3. Though I did not state it, I do assume realistic allied support in the form of weapon deliveries etc. 4. It's not clear what he meant. If he meant that we only for a week could prevent the enemy from achieving a limited but realistic objective (for example Gotland, or stop raids against the Swedish mainland by marine forces etc) that's one thing, if he meant to force a Swedish government with a high willingness to fight to surrender without terms and be fully occupied, then that's another thing. 5. To be clear. I still find the Swedish armed forces lacking. It's not acceptable to me to let the enemy take Gotland, or Luleå or even Torneå. Further, it is my firm belief that Sweden should help defend Finland if it ever comes to that. That requires another type of army. One that needs to face the enemy up front and have a very limited ability to trade space for blood compared to when defending Sweden.

[@theonenameless5262]

One air raid and Sweden is lost. 38k soldiers vs 1.3million

[@RoyalMela]

Being neutral in war is something you can never really do. Almost all European countries were neutral, before they were attacked by either Soviet Union or Germany. Sweden is located in a spot where it really does not have to be invaded by anyone.

[@neonspark63]

feel like at the beginning you should have mentioned that the fins were allied with germany for safe passage through their country, small detail but feels important for those unaware.

[@tyskbulle]

Swedish & Finnish neutrality is very much a one package deal The geography dictates that neither side can afford to be left out A plausible neutrality zone is only tangible if both stay neutral In that sense their defense interests align for common cause Finland was not allowed to join NATO during the cold war And Swedish neutrality policy was dependent on that factor Had Swedish public opinion turned in favor of NATO back then It is unlikely that this would actually have made Sweden join Because it would have made the geo-strategic situation worse

[@macjonte]

Good video, but the neutral military pact with Finland was not mentioned. Finland took the decision, Sweden was out of Allie’s in their /our small military union. We had no choice than to join nato; we need allies.

[@macjonte]

I’m not surprised at all Finland was scared, Ukraine is far from the first neighbor country Russia has attacked. The country has long history of wars with their eastern neighbor, and yet again seen a neighbor attacked without military intervention from other countries. They wanted more securities against Russia than Sweden could provide.

[@pepedeltoro6647]

We are immune to wars because of Finland, thank god for them 🤣🥰

[@osheridan]

I read this to the tune of 'untouchable, feeling untouchable'

[@jockedredd1329]

Correction: during ww2 Sweden let German troops through to Norway, not Finland.

[@goranpersson7726]

We let em pass into Finland aswell although they went there to help the Finn's against the Russians not to conquer or suppress

[@jockedredd1329]

@@goranpersson7726 👍

[@fusion3865]

do you know why sweden did bit stop germany

[@jockedredd1329]

@@fusion3865 did what?

[@goranpersson7726]

@@fusion3865 your english could use some work mate, can't really figure out what you're tryna ask. but i am somewhat knowledgeable about sweden's ol nazi history. got a few books about the subject that I've read

[@nathanngumi8467]

Very educative, did not know about the armed neutrality paradox... 👍

[@DaDunge]

3:00 Technically there is a nordic mutual defence treaty, Which Norway and Denmark has been part of in addition to Nato.

[@WilliamspelarYT]

The reason I clicked on this video is that I am from Sweden 🇸🇪 and I wanted to know how my country is immune to wars

[@goraningesson3938]

I wasn’t 100% sure on how safe l (a swede) should be in these times, not l feel a little more sure in the good direction. Thank you

[@KornettenJoel]

If NATO is a mistake, it's a mistake we're making together with our closest friends. Better to make a mistake by Finland's, Norway's and Denmark's side than alone... and it has worked out for both Norway and Denmark so far. I just hope our politicians remember that being in NATO means we have to take the interests of the entire alliance into consideration.

[@goraningesson3938]

@@KornettenJoel Here’s to hoping for a safe future

[@physiocrat7143]

The way things are going the economic system will implode under the unsustainable tax burden and the Islamic Republic of Sweden will be set up before the century is over. With luck there will be a two state solution. Malmö is already lost, Göteborg is on the way. Very few Swedes to be seen these days in the middle of Göteborg. We have given away our country.

[@khalil1653]

Incoming comments about migrants and invasions etc….

[@erikeliasson4739]

Hahah yep

[@DilbeardAlbeard]

Goes to show how well the migrants behave there.

[@hermaeusmora2945]

Yeah, who needs horrible truths and realities...

[@balabanasireti]

@@DilbeardAlbeard Goes to show how much the goverment failed them

[@balabanasireti]

@@hermaeusmora2945 We really don't need to be confronted with depressing truths every day. I'm not saying that your exaggerations are true though

[@pablochacon6768]

I hope this one will age well

[@PeteOnTheRocks]

I feel like joining NATO is their way of insuring continental peace and minimizing the risk of war.

[@paddy9738]

Literally will accomplish the opposite 🤡

[@kokainkalle]

Its all about money why you think our Defense Minister wasnt on the Nato meeting but Wallenberg was? Its all about money nothing about peace.... We sell so much weps ...

[@dajjukunrama5695]

Peter Lee smoking a tree

[@balabanasireti]

@@paddy9738 Wow, using an emoji and no arguments. Aren't you clever, kid

[@arvidlinnala1292]

@@paddy9738 well aren't you a smart one, just look at how many nato members who've been attacked by another contry after they've joined

[@adeemuff]

02:47 you could've made Crimea's colors striped, at least

[@oscar_jhn]

I love the fact that you show places Ive been too!

[@mintcake2668]

Sweden is immune to war because the parts of Sweden that are not immune to war are no longer Sweden. Take a look at a map of Sweden of the 17th century, the Swedes were in quite a few wars back then.

[@karolkamyk]

You have a mistake in 8:08. There was no country like Czechia then - there was Czechoslovakia.

[@franticdwarf2845]

No Czechoslovakia split 1993 and what he's talking about is in 1999.

[@karolkamyk]

​ @Frantic Dwarf He told that Czech Republik was a member of Warsaw Pact and that is not true. Warsaw Pact was dissolved in 1991 and country "Czech republik" was established - as you said - in 1993. Te map in 8:08 is titled "WARSAW PACT" and "Warsaw pact" didn't look lie this.

[@TalesOfWar]

Nothing to really do with the topic of this video, but I have an ice hockey puck made in Czechoslovakia I got as a kid before it became the Czech Republic. Kind of interesting to think I have a physical object made within my own life time produced in a country that doesn't technically exist any more.

[@humanoidgaming6582]

4 words: “The Great Northern War.” Thanks for coming to my Ted Talk

[@FinalMatrix.]

1:53 when you said Dag hammarskjold you sounded super danish i have never heard a english person saying a word with such beautiful danish unless you are from denmark/Sweden/norway

[@denisepleines1513]

Always thought of nordics and Scandinavians as peace loving nations in recent times. Esp Sweden. I have 1/4 Swedish ancestry. Thanks for the video. It was enlightening!!

[@gtd9536]

All those shots of Sweden look really nice! I feel like visiting there, but not in the winter. :)

[@Taggez1]

If you celebrate Christmas, it's absolutely wonderful during December! I personally couldn't imagine celebrating it without snow. And you can also see the northern lights if you travel up north, something I think every person needs to see at least once in their lives.

[@gtd9536]

@@Taggez1 okay. Thanks for the suggestion. I forgot about the Northern lights. So many pretty buildings and walkable streets with things to see and beautiful ocean front scenes. I had a chance to live there for several months for work but the project got canceled. Anyways, what cities do you recommend? I like cities with things to do, museums, music (classical mostly), nice restaurants with reasonable prices and for it to be walkable.

[@Ho_Lii_Fuk]

@@gtd9536 All of the nordic countries are relatively expensive so remember to take that in to account if you do decide to visit

[@TalesOfWar]

If you go in winter and avoid the snow then the south west coast is probably a better bet. Malmo is a nice place. It's just a quick ride over the bridge too if you want to have lunch in Copenhagen.

[@kavehhosseinpour]

@@gtd9536 if u go to swedens north Places at winter be ready for -31c

[@oscarernstell6214]

This was a good piece but I expected something quite different going by the title. Sweden have always been surprisingly rid of war, even when in war. The wars have much like England very seldom reached Swedish heartlands. This is the topic I was expecting and would like to hear some thoughts on. Geography, climate, latitude(day/night) and more must have played its part in making sure such a relatively rich area haven't been haunted by invaders. There's silver, cupper, timber, furs, fish and more in plenty, and almost nobody there to defend it. Most of it, at least before the railways, had to be shipped by inner waterways through Stockholm so just one spot would give control of most of it. Why wasn't Sweden a part of Russia, Germany or Great Britain f ex?

[@IngemarGustavsson]

"The wars have seldom reached the Swedish heartlands". What about the wars against the Danes 1521-1804 and later on, the Russians rampages 1719-1721 where they ransacked and burned the coastal cities to the ground along the Northern regions of Sweden? And later on 1808-1809, when they crossed the frozen Gulf of Bothnia and occupied Umeå? We've had the Russians within our borders lots of times, beginning with Ivan The Terrible war on Sweden 1554-1557?!! So, one can say that we truly are familiar with them since centuries ago.

[@somerandomguy4240]

I guess you never heard of the Dano-Swedish wars.

[@oscarernstell6214]

@@IngemarGustavsson Yes, that is indeed quite seldom just as I wrote. There's been countless wars and basically all that's been done is targeting fishing villages, some minor ports and the like. Compare that to Belgium, Saxony, the Po Valley and Poland to mention some less lucky areas.

[@IngemarGustavsson]

@@oscarernstell6214 Back to the school desk, Oscar. Read history. Those "Fishing villages" are the bigger cities of today. Try at least to be consistent.

[@oscarernstell6214]

@@IngemarGustavsson I don't understand your point whatsoever. The last time enemies ransacked the Swedish interior was in the Kalmar war of 1611-1613. Ever since it has only been Finland, coastal areas, off provinces and border regions. Northern Sweden coastline before industrialization is hardly heartland.

[@alexgamingnow6118]

VERY GOOD VIDEO!

[@moamoa7067]

At our family dinner table, it was perfectly normal to have the discussion regarding nato membership and always including finland,because we feared for finland safety if we dont stand united with them.. If they don't join , we don't join. Most people in sweden was not thinking of nato, if our neighbour wouldn't join, it wasn't on the table to even think about. -Because what would happen to our sisters and brothers across the sea?!

[@deteon1418]

I believe territory is key. Defence of Scania and Stockholm could be difficult, but a defence of the vast forests seems much more likely. Very hard too take and hold,

[@simonbrandberg1732]

Stockholm is easier o defend than you think it has a big archipelago that is pretty well defended so coming som the sea will be difficult, coming from land then you have to make it all the way there first and air operations are often difficult to pull off.

[@gabbemoja3647]

as a swede i can confirm that sweden is around 69% forest and we have the most islands in the world, stockholm is home to most of those islands B)

[@shinsenshogun900]

So Sweden is Indonesia, or that Europe is a Swedish world

[@gabbemoja3647]

@@shinsenshogun900 no sweden has the most islands, 267,570 islands in sweden, indonesia has 17,508

[@shinsenshogun900]

@@gabbemoja3647 intriguing geography there ngl

[@peoplesrepublicofliberland5606]

Sweden has to be the most underrated country in Europe, colonies, car manufacturers, Bofors and ikea

[@fikonfraktare]

Inventions, technology, music (look up Max Martin), artists and actors.

[@castrobal]

Don't forget ABBA 🤩

[@valwei2]

I’m from the city where Bofors was! Today it’s not as big as it was once. But it is still an important part of Sweden and a quite big industry for the size of the city.

[@leafy7865]

Adjustable Wrench, Spotify, Skype, pacemaker, ball bearing, tetra pak, dynamite, Celsius and lots of more things 🇸🇪

[@jamesr141]

and now rape capital.

[@user-ot9ms6vx8h]

Great Mountains block ridges and valleys along the rivers and streams. It's rough and rocky.

[@Idkwhatmynameshouldb]

A fun fact about Sweden is that the longest road that isnt a European road is dag Hammarskjöld road and why it was named after him was he road a wierd veichle down the street

[@FlorianWendelborn]

Putin proved that joining NATO is a great idea. If he’d not permanently threaten his neighbors, they wouldn’t have applied for membership.

[@iamjustsaying4787]

@Florian Wendelborn NATO is why Putin invaded. 🤦🏽‍♀️

[@melburnian]

@@iamjustsaying4787 Which event happened first? Sweden and Finland joining NATO or the invasion of Ukraine? Which event was the catalyst for the other? Using basic logic, I'm sure you can make a deduction.

[@FlorianWendelborn]

@@iamjustsaying4787 Since when is Ukraine NATO? Why are all your neighbors so eager to join NATO? Could it possibly be because your state is a terrorist state attacking independent nations it previously AGREED to accept the borders of in exchange for their nukes?

[@SweBeach2023]

@@melburnian No credible threat against Sweden exist, the Russian invasion is only a cheap excuse for applying for a NATO membership in a country in which for decades a majority has opposed joining. It's a major political scandal but one completely ignored by the media.

[@RoRonsku]

Yeah like support for NATO membership within the Finnish population was quite low but after the invasion of Ukraine it shot up very quickly.

[@i93sme]

Please read article 5 in entirety and pay attention. It does not in any way guarantee support. It guarantees that the other members see the attack as an attack on their territory but, then says each will take deemed necessary actions.

[@sampohonkala4195]

That is true. In international law the only real impact the article has is that if a member of NATO starts a war against another country to help a member state, it is considered defense which is accepted by the UN as the right of every country. Without NATO membership the similar action would be considered offence. This way the membership does lower the threshold of helping another country, but as you pointed out, legally here is no guarantee whatsoever. And even if there was a guarantee, there are no sanctions, meaning you can ignore everything the agreement says and there is nothing anybody could do about it.

[@TheRealBillBob]

👌👌

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

0:34 Regarding the territories lost in red, it didn't lose Livonia, Ingria, and Estonia during the Napoleonic Wars in 1809. It lost Finland during the Napoleonic Wars, that's true, but it lost Ingria, Livonia, and Estonia during the Great Northern War which happened in the early 1700s. Let's be honest, it's obvious their secret is IKEA. There's no point to continuing to push into Sweden when their military keeps laying traps of giving Swedish meatballs if the invading soldiers accept to assemble furniture on their own without instructions.

[@Bookwright]

No IKEA is just the front of the secret. The secret weapon is probobly the music industri.

[@John_Jim]

Stil infesting comment sections with your boring jokes, I see

[@erkkinho]

Because we, the Finns, fought for Sweden.

[@Freddespelarspel]

To say hello and welcome to over 1 million of people in 2015 was really something else,, we was not prepared at all, we did not have apartments to everyone, our hospitals was already understaffed and full with people that needed help. Whatever you like it or not, the crime rate have got up, young people dont want to go out on night as before, Elder people is afraid. The list can go on

[@yuuyjaaj6721]

Because they have Sabaton protecting their country. No one could touch them

[@peppertrout]

A perfect example of when government has already formed policy, just waiting for public opinion to catch up.

[@pernilsson9749]

The swedish "Helsingearmen" reach and tookthe fort of Hohe Koningsgebirge and the castle there. Outside Strassburgh, in the therty year wars in 1630:s. All according to info in the now "rebuilt" castle.

[@jamiefagerstrom]

He forgot the polish lithuanian commonwealth when they teamed up!

[@balls4755]

Dad was in the Swedish military. During drills they never said what the enemy was but they suspiciously always came from the east

[@tylsimys67]

Well we and Norwegians may have a big surprise for you, ha ha

[@sampohonkala4195]

An officer training Finnish soldiers started a lesson: The enemy is coming from the east...your task...questions? .Sir, could it not come from the west? Thinking for a while: You are right, it could go around...

[@mazeknox]

I was in the military a few years ago. Our pretend-enemy was always Russians

[@dude97x]

Sweden has for the last hundred years had one of the most effective armies protecting it's Eastern border: The Finnish Armed forces.

[@AnotherDuck]

Which is why we will support them if it comes to war.

[@slaktaren4849]

I would die for my finnish brothers, like my granddad did before me.

[@jonastheswede6256]

Equiped with swedish guns and volenters during al of Finlands war. Yes your right.

[@adamjohanssonn]

and sweden and finland will always help each other when something happens

[@destinychild4659]

🤣😂🤣

[@remkoe]

Switzerland: I would like to have a word with you

[@CommissarMitch]

Hey OBF, I have noticed you have some issues with pronunciations. Here is a tip. The letter Å is closest to blending the letters A and O. The closest I can think of to use in English would be how a Scottish accent would say O. Toping, Hope, Open. The letter Ä is best to imagine a mix between A and E. The letter Æ is closest if you know it. In English examples would be a USA Southern accent saying A. Ranch, Range, Ranger. The Swedish Ö is said almost exactly like the French E. If you know French you are set. However for English, it is hard to find a good substitute.

[@annapancake1232]

I think it's easier to say Å is like oo in door, Ä is like ea in bear and Ö as the i in girl.

[@Gavanater7]

I'd argue a Nato, US, Russian, Finland, Alliance could defeat Sweden although it would be costly

[@m1a2abrams34]

Any country is easy to invade with logistics and power completely overtaking it.

[@kioly_ah]

save your money, and be prepared for the "hyperinflation bill" when war comes.

[@tylsimys67]

With a gentlemen's agreement we might just cleanse suburbs of Malmö & other cities if you prefer...

[@MajinBuusni]

Highest iq yank

[@gwho]

you make sweden sound like such an amazing country

[@apple3505]

It isn’t anymore

[@tylsimys67]

It is, go now and bring your relatives also.

[@thomasjohnson4987]

@spindletea best countries to live in in 10 years will be russia and the middle east

[@Locomyman]

@@apple3505 why isnt it?

[@Locomyman]

@@thomasjohnson4987 stop trolling.

[@SimSummer]

also in the cold ''war'' they had a teamwork with denmark to put out mines fast so the russian ships would not pass between them (aka an alliance with nato so they werent neutral really)

[@Weiz13]

bro i just had test on this if just seen this a little earlier

[@irwainnornossa4605]

Great content, right here.

[@zedero8]

Article 42 7 of the TEU is equivalent (if not stronger) to that of NATO’s Article 5. So downplaying the EU’s role is misleading and downright false. Sweden technically fully abandoned its neutrality when it joined, and this became even more so with the introduction of the Lisbon Treaty.

[@Dooneh]

Grineren video brorz

[@MR.Stickman13]

Dude Sweden is a part of the trio 🇸🇪🇫🇮🇧🇻

[@brook.d2851]

Do a video about Ethiopia

[@Toad4070]

Im a simple swedish man. i see a video about sweden and i click.

[@Byepolarchaos]

Sweden could virtually be overrun in 90 days

[@altide8784]

Neutral in wars, but have the most advanced weapons in the world when it comes to airforce and artillery. Paradox.

[@peternyberg1626]

I recommend; "The best kept secret of the deepstate" to learn more about Sweden influence.

[@rune9537]

Du fik aldrig rigtigt svaret på hvorfor Sverige ikke kan besættes ?

[@cydeYT]

Fax

[@missa2855]

Lad os vise ham at man snildt kan besætte Sverige!

[@ice_wolfie]

jamen hej danskere

[@prodby.zartbeatz9513]

I’m Swedish and I have to say this is partly true, because I live in Gothenburg and on top of our apartment there is a air horn THATS LOUD if Russia were to attack, and there are other ones on different buildings but we are right under one. They have to test them once every 3 months which is very annoying and loud 😂

[@AwkwardFox0980]

Hesa Fredrik will all scarr us for life 💀

[@Nikqogregg]

Why is there constant ringing in the background? Im like having a panic attack from the strange background audio

[@unschomefleet4743]

I'm glad Sweden and Finland decided to join our NATO alliance Welcome to the family

[@sgtnseven3415]

Lets Hope we wont be long

[@davidjoelsson4929]

i as a swede don't want to be apart of this, hopefully we wont get fully in

[@unschomefleet4743]

@@davidjoelsson4929 why not freind of America

[@topg3508]

😂

[@davidjoelsson4929]

@@unschomefleet4743 US is not a true or good ally, it only cares about it self as we saw in nordstream 1 and 2