11 – Northern Outlooks: New Germany-scepticism in the Nordics?

BerlinsideOut

Ben and Aaron are joined in introducing this episode by Minna Ålander, as well as panelists Anna Wieslander, Tuomas Iso-Markku, and Kim Olsen – to talk about Germany’s relationship with the Nordic countries of Finland, Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. From the EU’s northern enlargement to the euro crisis, Germany’s Nordic partners in the EU had often looked to Berlin as a champion of their interests. Now though, Berlin’s slow and indecisive handling of both support for Ukraine and NATO enlargement has raised concern in Helsinki and Stockholm – even as new gas deliveries spur excitement in Oslo or increased defense spending gives Copenhagen political impetus to increase its own investment.

With Finland having joined NATO to counter the Russian threat and Sweden well on its way to doing so, the Baltic Sea to Germany’s north has a significance for German and European security not seen since the end of the Cold War – but there’s little evidence Berlin appreciates the significance of NATO’s current northern moment. This week’s discussion looks at how that can be changed – and what’s needed to do so.

Guests:

• Minna Ålander, Research Fellow, Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA) (@minna_alander)
• Anna Wieslander, Director of Northern Europe, Atlantic Council (@AnnwieAnna)
• Tuomas Iso-Markkus, Senior Research Fellow, Finnish Institute of International Affairs (FIIA)
• Kim B. Olsen, Research Fellow, DGAP (@kimbolsen)

Resources:

• How allied Sweden and Finland can secure northern Europe, Anna Wieslander, Eric Adamson, Jesper Lehto, Atlantic Council
• NATO’s Nordic Enlargement: Contingency Planning and Learning Lessons, Minna Ålander and William Alberque, War on the Rocks
• Sweden must join NATO soon to ward off Russian threat, says defense minister, Miranda Bryant, The Guardian
• Finland’s NATO accession: What will change?, Tuomas Iso-Markku, Matti Pesu, Charly Salonius-Pasternak, Iro Särkkä, Minna Ålander, FIIA
• Denmark to join EU defence policy after historic vote, Reuters
• Europe hopes Finland’s new reactor will hail a golden atomic age, Oliver Moody, The Times
• Europe’s lack of Leadership: Is it the small states’ time to shine, Minna Ålander, FIIA
• The Zeitenwende beyond Germany, Jannik Hartmann, Julian Stöckle et al., IPQ
• Norway now Germany’s largest gas supplier, future supply from Arctic to support exports, Malte Humpert, High North News

This podcast is an original production of the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP). It was created as part of DGAP's Action Group Zeitenwende.

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