Monday, June 23, 2025

Polaris of Enlightenment

US media labels Russian orthodox church in Sweden a security threat

Published 15 November 2024
– By Editorial Staff
Holy Mother of God of Kazan Russian Orthodox Church (2019).
2 minute read

Since the start of the war in Ukraine, most things that have anything to do with Russia are now considered suspicious and dangerous and churches are no exception.

In an article, the left-liberal newspaper Politico portrays the Russian Orthodox Church in Västerås as “a potential threat to Sweden’s national security” that risks being used for “Russian intelligence activities”.

It points out that the Holy Mother of God of Kazan Russian Orthodox Church, as it is actually called, is “very close to a strategically important airport, a water treatment works and advanced energy companies” in the city.

Amid a wave of alleged plots by suspected Russian operatives to target infrastructure and murder opponents across Europe, security experts say Sweden should clamp down on Moscow-aligned institutions across the country — including this church”, it continues.

Politico has also spoken to analysts who claim that the church “could be used for intelligence gathering” and that the building could be used to monitor Swedish military exercises.

The left-leaning newspaper argues that “Moscow is continuing to find ways to provide cover for its operatives overseas” and that “the Russian Orthodox Church appears to be emerging as one potential conduit for Moscow’s covert actions abroad”.

However, no evidence is presented that such actions have been carried out or planned in the church at all, instead the alleged threat seems to be of a more hypothetical nature.

Stopped government funding

It is also highlighted as something positive that Kiev as recently as August completely banned the Russian Orthodox Church from operating in the country even then with reference to alleged intelligence activities.

The Swedish authority SST has previously, on the advice of the Swedish Security Police (SÄPO), stopped the state funding of the church this with reference to the fact that the church’s representatives “had contacts” with people who are considered to work for Russian intelligence in Sweden.

– The Russian state is using the Russian Orthodox Church in Sweden as a platform to conduct intelligence activities in Sweden, a spokesperson for the agency claimed.

Concerns over the Russian church here echo those raised over acquisitions by private Russian citizens of buildings close to strategic military sites across the Nordic countries”, Politico continues, describing how Russian citizens have been denied the opportunity to buy property in Finland on the grounds of national security something Sweden is keen to emulate.

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Swedish police ignored early warnings about Foxtrot – now 16 civilians are dead

Deteriorating safety

Published today 13:58
– By Editorial Staff
If early warnings had been taken seriously, the Foxtrot network could have been tackled at an earlier stage.
2 minute read

Despite the Swedish police raising the alarm about the growing Foxtrot gang network back in 2021, the leadership chose not to act. Today, the network is linked to over 30 murders – at least 16 of which were completely unrelated civilians.

The documentary series En gång bröder (Once Brothers) reveals that a special police investigation team identified Foxtrot four years ago as a rapidly expanding group with a high propensity for violence.

According to the head of intelligence at the police, Jale Poljarevius, the group sounded the alarm early on – but the alarm was deprioritized in favor of other gangs.

If we could turn back time, we would have quickly redirected our efforts in this direction, Poljarevius told state broadcaster SVT, admitting that Foxtrot had long been off the police’s radar.

It was only after several high-profile murders in 2022 that Foxtrot began to come under police scrutiny. According to the documentary, the network has since been linked to over 30 murders, at least 16 of which were innocent civilians with no gang connections.

Rawa Majid Foxtrot Interpol
Rawa Majid is wanted internationally by Interpol. Photo: screenshot/Interpol.int

Division escalates the spiral of violence

The division within Foxtrot in September 2023 marked a new level of violence. One faction, led by the internationally wanted Rawa Majid – also known as “Jordgubben” (Strawberry) – is suspected of, among other things, the murder of Ismail Abdo’s mother, which further escalated the conflict.

During the summer of 2023, Swedish police managed to infiltrate the network using encrypted chat groups such as the Signal app. This breakthrough led to several arrests and indictments against a number of people in Foxtrot’s top echelons, including for particularly serious drug offenses.

Despite this, the violence continues. According to SVT’s information, the network has also expanded to Norway, where Swedish gang crime has become a growing problem.

At the time of writing, National Police Commissioner Anders Thornberg has declined to comment on the investigation.

Facts: The Foxtrot gang network

  • Leader: Rawa Majid, known as “Jordgubben” (Strawberry), wanted by Swedish police and residing in Turkey
  • Start: The network was identified by Swedish police as early as 2021 as an emerging player
  • Activities: Suspected of being behind extensive drug trafficking, extortion, and contract killings
  • Murders: Linked to over 30 murders – at least 16 of the victims were innocent civilians
  • Division: In September 2023, an internal conflict broke out, leading to further acts of violence
  • International spread: Has established a presence in Norway, among other countries
  • Infiltration: Swedish police infiltrated Foxtrot via encrypted chat groups during the summer of 2023

Birthing pools gain popularity among Swedish women

Published today 7:19
– By Editorial Staff
2 minute read

A growing number of women are choosing to give birth in so-called birthing pools. Water births are now offered in almost all regions of Sweden, something that was unusual just a few years ago.

Water birth means that the pregnant woman is in a pool and thus surrounded by water, and that the baby is then born underwater. The woman lifts the baby out of the water herself once it is born.

Since 2019, when only four of Sweden’s regions offered this option, more water births have been introduced at Swedish maternity hospitals, according to a survey by the tax-funded SVT. Today, only four do not offer water births: Region Kronoberg, Region Örebro County, Region Gävleborg and Region Blekinge.

In the 17 other regions, there is, or is about to be, some form of possibility to give birth in a birthing pool. One of the latest to acquire a birthing pool is the birthing clinic in Karlstad.

It feels absolutely fantastic, it’s a goal that we’ve been working towards for several years and haven’t had the conditions for until now, says Charlotte Stenström, head of the obstetrics department at Karlstad Central Hospital, to SVT.

Not everyone will have the opportunity, however, as there are certain criteria. In Karlstad, for example, there will be requirements that the pregnancy is within normal limits and that the baby in the womb is of normal size.

Giving birth in a birthing pool can shorten labor and give the woman a more positive experience of the process, as well as a sense of control over her birth. It can also be beneficial against pain.

There are many benefits of water births – pain relief is one, says midwife Araceli Carranza.

Power shortages threaten southern Sweden this winter

The energy crisis in Europe

Published 17 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Residents in southern Sweden can expect sky-high electricity prices this winter.
2 minute read

Svenska kraftnät (the Swedish national grid operator) warns of a critical electricity shortage in southern Sweden this winter equivalent to the output of seven nuclear reactors. A new report shows that electricity area SE4, southern Götaland including Skåne, is particularly vulnerable.

The forecast points to a power shortage of 7,700 MWh/h during a normal winter in SE3 and SE4. The reason is insufficient plannable production in relation to consumption.

Malin Johansson, energy and climate manager at the industry organization IKEM, is calling for quick solutions:

This confirms that we need to quickly build new capacity in the form of gas turbines and batteries that can even out the peaks and cope with the power demand in southern Sweden, especially during cold, windless winter days.

Imports do not offer a reliable solution either, as the electricity systems of neighboring countries are often just as strained:

Analyses of import opportunities from neighboring countries show that most, like Sweden, are dependent on imports in strained situations. This indicates that import opportunities from our neighboring countries at these times may be limited if shortages occur simultaneously”, writes Svenska kraftnät.

– It’s no news that if there’s no wind in Denmark, there’s no wind in Skåne either. Every country must take responsibility for its own electricity system. We can’t rely on neighboring countries, says Malin Johansson.

“Must be able to produce around the clock”

Svenska kraftnät highlights consumer flexibility and storage as solutions, but Johansson is skeptical:

– Why should we create a market where industry is forced to be flexible? It’s not as if we have a high added value from selling electricity to other countries. Industry must be able to produce around the clock to promote growth and prosperity in Sweden.

The transmission capacity between SE3 and SE4 is insufficient during peak hours, which drives up electricity prices in SE4. The ERAA 2024 report confirms that margins are shrinking in southern Sweden, where demand is increasing while transmission from the north is limited. The situation requires urgent measures to secure the electricity supply.

The report points out that Europe’s electricity system is at risk of becoming increasingly vulnerable to power shortages. Despite extensive investments in wind and solar power, there is no realistic plan to replace fossil fuel-based electricity production that is being phased out for economic reasons. As a result, new capacity may not be built in time, which threatens security of supply.

Widding’s new party wants to put Swedes first

Published 13 June 2025
– By Editorial Staff
Elsa Widding's party wants to focus on “the important issues that none of the current parties in parliament dare to pursue with sufficient vigor".
4 minute read

A new political party, Sverige Först (Sweden first), was launched yesterday with the stated vision of restoring Sweden’s prosperity, security, and independence.

The founder is the outspoken and popular member of parliament Elsa Widding, who has long been a vocal critic of climate alarmism, supranationalism, and experimental mass vaccination programs.

The party uses the slogan “Make Sweden rich again!” and compares Sweden to Switzerland, noting that Swedes have fallen far behind in recent years.

In the 1970s, Swedes were one of the richest people in the world; we were then on the same level of prosperity as Switzerland. Today, an experienced Swedish high school teacher earns about 40,000 kronor per month, while a Swiss teacher earns the equivalent of 150,000 kronor”, they write. The party’s solution? Lower taxes and a freer market economy.

In the area of security, Sverige Först wants to see a return to non-alignment. They criticize NATO membership as provocative and risky and want to focus on invasion defense and diplomacy, especially to reduce tensions with Russia.

Given the uncertainties surrounding NATO, Sweden’s goal should be to pursue an independent security policy aimed at becoming an alliance-free country again. Our ambition should be to stay out of armed conflicts and instead work for détente in our immediate neighborhood”, they argue further. The party is also strongly critical of the DCA agreement, which they see as a direct provocation against Russia, and emphasizes that Sweden should avoid becoming a target in a potential conflict scenario.

More independence

Sverige Först is also opposed to supranationalism and globalism and sees the EU and the World Economic Forum (WEF) as threats to Sweden’s sovereignty and independence.

Swedish citizens should govern Sweden, not the globalists in Davos or the EU bureaucrats in Brussels”, they declare, arguing that Sweden may need to leave the EU if the union no longer serves the interests of Sweden and the Swedish people.

They also warn that global institutions such as the WHO and the IMF are actively depriving nations of their self-determination and pushing for digital control systems that threaten individual freedom.

The further away political decisions are made, the more difficult it is for individuals to make their voices heard, and the less self-government and freedom the nation has left. For globalists, the individual is a source of tax revenue and soldier material, but otherwise mostly a nuisance”, they write.

No to climate alarmism and experimental vaccines

Climate policy is another contentious issue. Sverige Först dismisses the climate crisis as greatly exaggerated and wants to base decisions on science, not “alarmism”.

They refer to the IPCC and claim that disaster scenarios have been toned down, while prioritizing agriculture and self-sufficiency over wind power, which they want to phase out in favor of more stable nuclear power. The party emphasizes that nuclear power is the key to cheap and reliable energy, while wind power is seen as unreliable and harmful to nature.

On the vaccine issue, the party expresses skepticism toward mRNA vaccines and condemns the handling of COVID-19. It emphasizes that the individual’s right to choose must be respected according to the Nuremberg Code and criticizes the coercive and surveillance measures introduced during the pandemic.

Self-evident rights such as gathering, demonstrating, visiting elderly relatives, and attending funerals were abolished. In some countries, it was more or less mandatory to be vaccinated with COVID vaccines, even though the preparations are still in the experimental stage”, it continues.

The party expresses strong concern that the vaccines have not been sufficiently tested and have caused a number of serious vaccine injuries, and calls for an independent review of the pandemic measures:

Positive change always begins with an acknowledgment of the mistakes that have been made. This process must begin immediately, before more lives are lost in a careless and unnecessary manner”.

Want to highlight what others ignore

When it comes to migration, the party wants to limit it with income requirements – but does not advocate any comprehensive repatriation programs. However, it wants to “stop immigration in order to be able to take care of those who are here” and “create good conditions for the families and individuals who have come to Sweden over the past 25 years with the desire to integrate into Swedish society”.

According to Elsa Widding, the party’s focus is “on the important issues that none of the current parties in parliament dare to pursue with sufficient vigor”, and each policy area will be represented by three people until the 2026 election.

All with documented experience and relevant expertise to be able to show the way forward”, it says.

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