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https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/swedish-authorities-warn-of-nuclear-armageddon/

Sweden

Swedish authorities warn of nuclear armageddon

The new cold war

Published 21 November 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Minister for Civil Defence, holds up the doomsday pamphlet.
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) has issued a stark warning, urging citizens to prepare for potential terror attacks, deadly pandemics, airstrikes – and even nuclear war.

Despite the apocalyptic tone, which suggests that full-scale world war may be imminent, Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin insists that the purpose of the information is actually to “create calm”.

MSB, the Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency, has released a new version of its emergency preparedness brochure, If Crisis or War Comes, which is now being sent out to all Swedish households. The document is marked by a sense of impending doom and a bleak outlook on the near future.

Notably, the new brochure is significantly thicker than the previous one from 2018 (31 pages compared to 20). MSB claims this is because “the global situation has deteriorated significantly since the earlier brochure was distributed”.

“War is ongoing in our surroundings, extreme weather is becoming more common. Terror threats, cyberattacks, and disinformation are being used to harm and influence us. Sweden has also joined NATO”, it states, adding that everyone must therefore “stand together and take responsibility for our country”.

The agency also warns that cyberattacks, influence campaigns, terrorism, and sabotage “can occur at any time, and much is already happening here and now”, declaring to the Swedish people that they cannot take “their freedom for granted” and must show “the will and courage to defend our open society – even if it involves sacrifices”.

The tone of the new MSB brochure is very alarmist. Photo: MSB

Everyone must “mobilize”

It also highlights Sweden’s NATO membership as an essential part of the country’s resilience against alleged external threats, asserting that “the purpose of the alliance is for member states to be so strong together that it deters others from attacking us”.

Swedes are told that war or an acute threat of war could be expected very soon and that the whole society must then “mobilize to face an aggressor and to ensure that the most essential aspects of society function”.

“Total defense duty applies to all Swedish citizens, both those living in Sweden and abroad… In the event of heightened preparedness, you are required to report to the location specified in your wartime placement order”, it emphasizes.

MSB further urges Swedes to learn how the various warning systems and alarms function, including how to differentiate between an air raid alarm and a preparedness alarm.

“Go immediately to the nearest bomb shelter, basement, or other protected area. You are better protected indoors than outdoors, especially in a room without windows”, it advises.

Nuclear and biological weapons

The agency also claims there is a risk that Sweden could be attacked with nuclear weapons and advises Swedes that “in the event of an attack with nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons”, they should “seek shelter in the same way as during an air raid” – preferably in a bomb shelter.

“After a few days, radiation levels will have decreased significantly”, it reassures.

“Bomb shelters protect against shockwaves and shrapnel from bombs. They also protect against shockwaves and heatwaves from nuclear weapons. Bomb shelters provide better protection than other places against radioactive fallout, gases from chemical weapons, and biological agents”, it further emphasizes.

Those without access to a bomb shelter are instead advised to seek out basements, garages, and underground subway stations – or to hide in tunnels or behind walls. If unable to reach such a location, people are instructed to crouch “in a trench or ditch” and remain there until authorities declare the danger is over.

In Ulf Kristersson’s Sweden, nuclear war is portrayed as imminent. Montage. Photo: Frankie Fouganthin/CC BY-SA 4.0, Vadimrysev/iStock

Share only “reliable sources”

According to MSB, Sweden is not only at risk of nuclear war but also faces an urgent threat from propaganda and disinformation.

“Foreign powers and other actors outside Sweden use disinformation, deception, and propaganda to influence us. Attempts to influence occur daily, primarily online and on social media. The goal is to create distrust and undermine our will to defend ourselves”, it states.

Psychological warfare is said to occur through the spreading of stories that are “false or partially true but taken out of context” or through fake video clips, voice recordings, and images. Hostile actors are also claimed to wage war against Sweden by “stirring emotions around an issue or event to make us anxious or suspicious of one another”.

This type of attack on Sweden is best countered by citizens remaining vigilant and sharing information only from what is described as “reliable sources”. The brochure does not explicitly specify which sources it considers reliable, apart from urging people to seek “verified information from authorities”.

“Extreme weather” threatens Sweden

Cyberattacks and terrorist attacks are highlighted, with the brochure declaring that “terror attacks and armed violence can target people or critical infrastructure such as electricity supply and transportation” – and here, too, citizens are urged to be ready to flee and seek shelter if they witness an attack.

“Extreme weather” is also said to threaten the Swedish population, with MSB claiming that “extreme weather such as torrential rain, flooding, and heatwaves is becoming more common” and that “the risk of natural disasters such as landslides and forest fires is increasing”.

Allegedly deadly pandemics are also said to threaten Sweden. Photo: PIKSEL/iStock

“If a contagious disease begins to spread, authorities will issue advice on how to protect yourself and others… Help reduce the spread by following the authorities’ recommendations”, it states.

Attracts international attention

The brochure also contains more everyday tips on home preparedness and emergency planning, such as how to stop bleeding and how to prepare for extended power outages. However, it is the apocalyptic tone that has drawn strong reactions.

Swedish authorities urging their population to prepare for potential nuclear attacks has also attracted international attention, with Britain’s The Times writing that Sweden appears to be preparing for a “global apocalypse”, while France’s Le Parisien merely notes that Swedes are being urged to prepare for war.

Germany’s Focus claims that the entire brochure is imbued with a “doomsday atmosphere”, and several other media outlets have expressed surprise over its contents and wording.

Save the Children, in turn, warns that the alarmist tone risks causing fear among children, while others point out the difficulty of focusing on daily life while being instructed to prepare for nuclear attacks.

Carl-Oskar Bohlin and MSB’s Charlotte Petri Gornitzka present the brochure. Photo: Government Offices of Sweden/Niklas Forsström

“Already happening here and now”

Carl-Oskar Bohlin (M), Minister for Civil Defense, states that the purpose of the brochure is to “inform” and “create calm” and maintains that the threat of war against Sweden is not immediately imminent.

On the other hand, Bohlin adds, influence campaigns, terrorism, and sabotage “can occur at any time”, and much of it is said to be “already happening here and now”.

The minister further states that Swedes should not “run into the woods and cut themselves off from the rest of society”, but instead focus on being prepared, taking responsibility, and showing solidarity with the rest of the community.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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https://nordictimes.com/world/german-left-party-leader-calls-for-nato-replacement-involving-russia/

World

German left party leader calls for NATO replacement – involving Russia

The new cold war

Published 5 May 2025
– By Editorial Staff
According to Jan van Aken, NATO has outplayed its role - and a new alliance should take shape instead.
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Jan van Aken, co-chair of the German left-wing party Die Linke, wants NATO to eventually be replaced by a new international security alliance that includes both Russia and the US.

In an interview with Die Zeit, he said that the NATO-led structure has no future and should be replaced by a more cooperative system.

– We have never wanted to abolish NATO without replacement, but rather to replace it with a cooperative security system, van Aken said in the interview published over the weekend.

He referred to his party’s 2011 manifesto, which proposes that Germany leave NATO in favor of a new collective security arrangement. Van Aken proposes a model similar to the OECD – a kind of “OECD 2.0” – where the focus is on peacekeeping and joint defense.

– A peace and defense alliance together with Russia and the US. But of course, such a structure would require at least ten years of confidence-building measures. During that time, NATO would remain in place – but it has no future, in my opinion, he added.

In addition to his criticism of NATO, van Aken also called for the withdrawal of US troops stationed in Germany – including the nuclear weapons they carry with them. He pointed out that the UK and France already have more than enough nuclear arsenals of their own.

Dreaming of a demilitarized Europe

Van Aken also confirmed that the vision of a demilitarized Europe remains central to the German left-wing party – a controversial and unusual stance in these times.

– Of course I want to live in a country without an army. Don’t you? he asked rhetorically.

The interview was published at a sensitive political moment, with Germany recently announcing a new military aid package for Ukraine, including air defense missiles and artillery. Incoming Chancellor Friedrich Merz has also expressed support for sending Taurus cruise missiles to Ukraine – a weapon capable of reaching deep into Russian territory.

This has led to strong criticism from Moscow, which has warned that a German decision to deliver the weapons would make the country an active party in the war, as Russia claims that the Taurus system cannot be operated without German personnel.

Die Linke has consistently opposed arms deliveries to Ukraine and instead advocated a ceasefire and diplomatic solutions.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/world/survivors-warn-civilians-will-die-as-europe-reintroduces-anti-personnel-mines/

World

Survivors warn: Civilians will die as Europe reintroduces anti-personnel mines

The new cold war

Published 28 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Millions of anti-personnel mines remain in the ground around the world after wars and conflicts - killing or maiming thousands every year.
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Five European countries – Finland, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania – have announced plans to withdraw from the 1997 Ottawa Convention, which bans anti-personnel mines.

However, the decisions have been met with strong criticism from human rights organizations and survivors, who warn that it is civilians who will suffer the most.

In mid-April, Latvia became the first country to formally vote to leave the treaty, which has over 165 signatories. The decision is described as a historic step backwards by those working to combat the use of mines.

– It feels like a punch to the face, said Zoran Ješić in an interview with The Guardian. He lost his right leg to a mine during the Bosnian War and now heads UDAS, an organization for landmine survivors.

– Antipersonnel landmines do horrible things to innocent people. They belong to a small group of weapons, including chemical and biological weapons, that are so abhorrent they must never be used again, he continues.

Ješić was 21 years old and a soldier in the Bosnian army when he stepped on a mine in a forest.

– As I later heard, it was our mine. The point is that when you put a mine in the ground, you never know what will happen. Will it wait for your soldiers, your civilians or the enemies? Usually, it hurts your people.

“It’s about the norms of war”

And the statistics confirm his claims. Every year, 70-85% of all those killed or injured by mines are civilians. Almost half of the victims are children – a reminder of the weapons’ inability to distinguish between combatants and innocent people.

Alma Taslidžan from Humanity & Inclusion, an organization working with disabled and vulnerable groups, expresses concern that the decisions could create a dangerous domino effect:

– This is really a tipping point for us. It’s not only about landmines. It is about the norms that are written for the situation of wartimes – we’re afraid this is going to create a wave of weakening the international humanitarian law that has the first obligation to protect civilians.

In March, the defense ministers of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland published a joint declaration referring to the war in Ukraine and increased security threats.

– With this decision, we are sending a clear message: our countries are prepared and can use every necessary measure to defend our security needs, the statement read.

Warning against myths about “smart mines”

Finland, which shares a border with Russia stretching over 1,300 kilometers, later joined the group, with Prime Minister Petteri Orpo saying that withdrawal would give the country “the opportunity to prepare for changes in the security situation in a more versatile way”.

However, Taslidžan emphasizes that even if the threat were real, the choice of weapon is still wrong – precisely because it is civilians who will suffer the most.

– Choosing the most indiscriminate weapon amongst all to say that you are going to defend your country, that is wrong. Security cannot be built on a weapon that kills indiscriminately, that remains in the ground long after the conflict has ended and that specifically maims civilians.

She also warns against myths about “smart mines” with self-destruction mechanisms and claims that these are safe for the civilian population.

– That’s bizarre information. There is no smart mine that can think for itself and say, ‘Oh, civilians, we won’t explode now’.

American soldiers with mines in Iraq. Photo: U.S. Army/SPC Derek Gaines

Red Cross: “Extremely alarming”

Maya Brehm, legal advisor at the International Red Cross, describes the development as “extremely alarming”.

– From our perspective – and this is also a perspective shared by military authorities – whatever limited military value anti-personnel mines may still have in today’s conflicts, it is vastly outweighed by the appalling and long-lasting humanitarian consequences, she emphasizes.

Norway, which also borders Russia, has chosen to remain in the treaty, and Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has expressed regret over Finland’s decision:

– This particular decision (by Finland) is something we regret. If we start weakening our commitment, it makes it easier for warring factions around the world to use these weapons again, because it reduces the stigma, he commented.

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, an estimated 3 million mines remain in the ground since the 1990s war and continue to kill and maim men, women, and children.

– This is not something you can just put in the ground and then pick up again when the war is over, Zoran Ješić explains grimly.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/swedish-major-general-leave-the-ottawa-treaty-and-buy-anti-personnel-mines/

Sweden

Swedish Major General: “Leave the Ottawa Treaty and buy anti-personnel mines”

The new cold war

Published 16 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Karlis Neretnieks argues that today's anti-personnel mines cannot be compared to those that kill thousands of civilians every year.
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

Recently The Nordic Times highlighted how the defense ministers of Poland, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia announced that they intend to withdraw from the international convention banning the use of anti-personnel mines.

In early April, Finnish officials also confirmed that they are also preparing to withdraw from the Ottawa Treaty. Retired Swedish-Latvian Major General Karlis Neretnieks now wants Sweden to do the same and start buying “smart” anti-personnel mines.

– My opinion is clear. We should do what the Finns did, leave the Ottawa Agreement, and acquire anti-personnel mines, declares Neretnieks, who has also previously served as President of the Swedish National Defense College.

He explains that within the NATO military pact, there is a plan for the Swedish army to be able to move quickly to Finland and form joint defense forces with Finnish soldiers in the event of a possible Russian attack. In such a scenario, he argues, the armies of both countries must have similar rules of engagement.

– What should we do when Swedish commanders have to command Finnish units? Should a Swedish commander tell a Finnish commander that you are not allowed to use anti-personnel mines because you are under Swedish command? That’s not how it works in reality.

Kills thousands annually

Finland’s defense minister, Antti Häkkänen, insists that “mines are only for war” and “will not be scattered in the countryside“. However, over the years, anti-personnel mines have caused enormous civilian suffering – and in 2021 alone, an estimated 5,500 people were killed by them – many of them children.

Millions of undestroyed anti-personnel mines remain in former war zones around the world – and can detonate at any time when someone accidentally steps on them. This is also one of the primary reasons why some 160 countries around the world have committed to stop stockpiling, producing or using them.

However, Neretnieks argues that today’s modern anti-personnel mines can be turned on and off by remote control – and he emphasizes that some models stop working after a certain amount of time.

– The reason for removing the mines was that they were often left behind after the fighting was over. Then they were dangerous for children, farmers and anyone walking around the terrain… I’m advocating that we abandon the Ottawa agreement and get these anti-personnel mines with self-destruction, he continues.

“Were far too enthusiastic”

Sweden signed the convention in 1998, the year after it was drafted, but the major general says it was a big mistake.

– I think we were far too enthusiastic about a ban at the height of the discussions in 1996-1997. It was quite obvious that the Russians had no intention of signing anything like that, he states.

It should be noted that it is not only Russia that has chosen not to sign the convention. Major military powers such as the US and China have so far also refused to sign the Ottawa Treaty, as have Israel, India, Iran and both North and South Korea.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

https://nordictimes.com/the-nordics/sweden/moderate-youth-league-raise-the-retirement-age-to-finance-swedens-rearmament/

Sweden

Moderate Youth League: Raise the retirement age to finance Sweden’s rearmament

The new cold war

Published 15 April 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Raising the retirement age to fund the Swedish defense effort is not expected to be well received by the electorate.
Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

As reported by The Nordic Times, Swedish politicians have decided to borrow at least SEK 300 billion (€26 billion) for what is described as the “biggest rearmament since the Cold War”.

Douglas Thor, chair of The Moderate Youth League (MUF), fully supports the military investment – but emphasizes that it should be paid for by older Swedes through a higher retirement age.

The governing politicians agree that it is reasonable to borrow the equivalent of €4,400 for each Swede of working age for the military project, and analysts have noted that it will largely be future generations of Swedes who will have to pay for the decisions made today.

– It’s clear that future generations will have to take a bigger hit than if we were to just go on this year’s budget. But it also seems reasonable that future generations should help finance reconstruction because it will also benefit them, commented, for example, Daniel Waldenström, professor of economics, and continued:

– It’s simply that they will have to pay a bit more tax as a result of this. They will have to pay taxes to finance our repayment of these loans.

“In the long run, everyone will pay”

Just like the other establishment parties’ youth wings, MUF applauds the military investment, but believes older Swedes must bear a greater share of the cost – not just the younger generation.

– Borrowing money is not free. The costs are postponed to the future, which means that the younger generation has to pay. We are happy to contribute, but it is unreasonable that we alone should bear the cost, they say.

Thor’s solution is to raise the age at which older people can start drawing their pension from the current 63 to 67.

– Today, people can start drawing their income and premium pensions at the age of 63. We believe it is reasonable to raise it. One possible age is 67, confirms the Muf leader, who states that raising the retirement age is a much better option than raising taxes.

– In the long run, everyone will pay because we are all getting older. When our country has faced difficult challenges in the past, we have coped by working more, Thor argues.

Unpopular measure

Raising the retirement age to fund military spending is not expected to be a particularly popular message with voters – but Thor says this does not matter much.

– There are many issues that were previously unthinkable, but which have been reconsidered in this serious international situation. For example, loan financing has been reconsidered. It should be possible to do the same with regard to this issue.

According to Muf’s calculations, if older Swedes worked two years longer than they do today, this would mean around SEK 30 billion (€2.6 billion) extra to the public purse annually – about half the contribution needed to meet the government’s target of spending 3.5% of GDP on defense.

Editorial Staff
editorial@nordictimes.com

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