The geopolitical landscape in the Baltic region has undergone a significant shift with Finland officially joining NATO, a move bolstered by many member nations who see it as a fortification of the alliance’s strength in the area. On the flip side, Sweden’s path to NATO is still blocked by Turkey and Hungary.
Background: Finland’s Joining of NATO
In the face of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, smaller countries in the region have felt an increasing need for the robust military support that NATO provides. This sense of urgency led both Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership post the invasion.
Sharing a 1,340-km border with Russia, Finland has pivoted from over 70 years of military non-alignment, a policy known as ‘Finlandisation’ during the Cold War era. The term referred to a state of neutrality between the Soviet Union and the West and was also one of the potential options discussed for Ukraine before the Russian attack.
The Impacts of Finland Joining NATO
With its NATO membership, Finland bolsters its security but also faces economic trade-offs. The nation might lose out on a substantial share of trade and tourism revenue generated from Russia. Its status as a trust-building entity in the Baltic Sea and Europe is also under threat.
For NATO, incorporating Finland serves multiple strategic purposes. The alliance acquires a military adept at repelling a potential attack from Russia, and is also better positioned to station weapons closer to Russia. However, Russia perceives this development as a potentially risky historical mistake that may escalate the conflict in Ukraine. Consequently, Russia has expressed its intent to enhance its military capability in its west and northwest.
NATO at a Glance
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is a political and military alliance comprised of 31 member countries, established in 1949. Its primary aim is to foster mutual defense and collective security among its members. The initial 12 founding members included Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Iceland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Subsequently, the alliance expanded to include 19 more countries, with Finland becoming the latest member in 2023. NATO headquarters are located in Brussels, Belgium, with the Headquarters of Allied Command Operations in Mons, Belgium.
Special Provision: Article 5
Article 5, a key provision in the NATO treaty, posits that an attack on one member is perceived as an attack on all members. The article was invoked for the first and only time following the 9/11 terrorist attacks in the United States. It’s important to note, however, that NATO’s protection does not cover civil wars or internal coups within member nations.
Alliances of NATO
NATO maintains several alliances including the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC), the Mediterranean Dialogue, and the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative (ICI).