Sweden, a country in Europe, has decided to join NATO, becoming the 32nd country to join NATO. This has been a surprising move as Sweden has long maintained a neutral position, staying away from these alliances. The leader of Sweden, Ulf Kristersson, went to Washington, D.C. to join hands.
But What made Sweden join NATO?
Two years back, Sweden understood the need for the safety of their country after the Ukraine-Russia war started. Sweden wanted to join NATO in 2022, but some of the members of NATO, like Hungary and Turkey, were not sure to let Sweden in.
What is NATO
NATO stands for North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It’s a peacetime military alliance where countries work together to keep everyone safe and help each other. The idea is that if one country is in trouble, all the others will come to help. It’s a way of making sure everyone is safe and strong together.
The three purposes of NATO
- Warning against Soviet Union expansion
- Stopping National Militarism in Europe
- Encouraging political integration among Western countries.
NATO has always kept doors open for European countries and its membership has increased from 12 to 32 countries through 10 rounds of enlargement since 1949. The “open door policy” is based on Article 10 of its founding Washington Treaty, and decisions are made by the North Atlantic Council through consensus. Its enlargement aims to promote stability and cooperation, making Europe whole and free.
How Many Nuclear Weapons Does NATO Have?
Power is one of the strongest ways to maintain safety. Having nuclear power, NATO prevents any aggression by creating a fear that the cost of any attack can be much more than the potential benefits.
As per a report shared by Statista Research Department on May 9, 2023, the three NATO allies (U.S. France, and U.K.) have nearly 4,223 nuclear warheads. Out of which the United States possesses 3,708 nuclear warheads.
Here are some key reasons why this peacetime alliance possesses nuclear weapons:
- Deterrence
- Alliance Cohesion
- Adaptation to Evolving Threats
Conclusion
Sweden joining NATO is like a big change for the country. It shows that even if you’ve been doing things one way for a long time, sometimes it’s good to try something new, especially if it helps keep everyone safe and happy.
NATO plays a crucial role in ensuring the security and stability of its member countries, promoting cooperation and dialogue, and responding to a wide range of security challenges through military and diplomatic means.
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