In the shadow of the NATO application: Sweden can reintroduce arms exports to Turkey

In order for Turkey to approve Sweden's NATO application, the country demands, among other things, that Sweden revoke the export ban on weapons introduced against Turkey in 2019. Pictured: An American soldier with the Swedish weapon AT4, a Swedish armored shot manufactured by Saab Dynamics AB. Photo: Sgt. Harley Jelis, New York National Guard. Source: Flickr.

Of: Elise Olsson

Sweden's NATO application has been challenged by Turkey, which does not want to allow a Swedish NATO membership unless Sweden agrees to five demands made by Turkey. One of them is to revoke the export ban on weapons that Sweden introduced against Turkey during 2019.

May 31, 2022, Notis

Week 20: Sweden's application for NATO membership arouses opposition

The fact that Turkey has demanded that Sweden extradite about 20 Kurds in order for Sweden's NATO application to be accepted has created debate. Among other things, several left-wing parties demand a guarantee from Foreign Minister Ann Linde (S) that no Kurds will be extradited. Photo: NATO North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Source: Flickr.

Of: Elise Olsson and Idun Eklind

Sweden's now submitted NATO application and Swedish arms exports have been high on the agenda in the past week. A potential Swedish NATO membership has aroused both criticism and opposition. Partly because the decision was not voted on by the Swedish people, partly because the application has not been welcomed by Turkey.

May 23, 2022, Current debate

Week 19: debaters question new gender affiliation law and Swedish NATO membership

During the past week, debaters have, among other things, discussed the proposal for a new gender affiliation law. Pictured: Pride parade in Stockholm, 2018. Photo: Sparrow. Source: Wikimedia Commons.

Of: Hanne Karlsson

During the past week, several actors have debated whether a new gender equality law in Sweden would mean a necessary modernization or whether it would do more harm than good. The NATO issue has also remained on the agenda.  

May 18, 2022, Current debate

Week 18: Debaters warn of cuts in aid

Instead of taking money from development aid to pay for refugee reception, Sweden should increase support for farmers in poor parts of the world, in order to counter a global food crisis. This is what Anna Tibblin, Secretary General of We Effect, and Anna-Karin Hatt, CEO of the Swedish Farmers' Association (LRF), write in a debate article in SvD. Pictured: Mauritania, which in 2012 was hit by a serious food crisis. Photo: Oxfam International. Source: Flickr.

Of: Alice Eriksson

Last week warned debaters for the consequences of reducing Swedish aid when the UN flags that billions of people in the world could be starved due to the war in Ukraine, while the question about nuclear weapons was a part of the continued NATO debate. 

May 9, 2022, Current debate

Week 16: Debators turn on the NATO issue

In mid-April, the Social Democratic prime ministers of Sweden and Finland - Magdalena Andersson and Sanna Marin - met to discuss the countries' possible entry into NATO. Now, among other things, Aftonbladet's editorial board is turning on the issue - and believes that Sweden should join NATO. Photo: FinnishGovernment. Source: Flickr.

Of: Hanne Karlsson and Linnea Ljungar

Last week's debate and leadership pages revolved to a large extent around the riots that took place in several Swedish cities during the Easter weekend. The global issues that were discussed continued to be about a possible Swedish membership in NATO - and among other things, Aftonbladet's management side has changed their opinion on the issue.

April 25, 2022, Current debate

Week 13: "More sanctions against Russia - now"

Torbjörn Becker, head of the Institute of Eastern Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics, calls on the western world to introduce new, tougher sanctions against Russia's leadership. "Sanctions against oil could run out of Putin's money," he wrote. Photo: DimitroSevastopol. Source: Pixabay.

Of: Hibo Yusuf Ahmed and Samira Issa

Why the Western world must increase sanctions against Russia and how Sweden's potential NATO accession can put peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in a critical situation has been debated over the past week.

April 4, 2022, Current debate

Week 10: Debaters disagree on possible NATO membership

Sweden's possible entry into NATO has continued to be a major discussion on Swedish debate and leadership pages during the past week. Pictured: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Photo: NATO, North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Source: Flickr.

Of: Frida Lindberg and Julia Carlzon

Last week's debate was also marked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. In addition to the question of a Swedish entry into NATO and the dependence on Russian natural gas, the climate issue has also found a place in the discussion.

March 14, 2022, Current debate

Week 8: Debaters react to Russia's invasion of Ukraine

People all over the world have protested against Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Victoria Pickering, from a demonstration in Washington. Source: Flickr.

Of: Sigrid Wernersson and Villemo Warnerfjord

More support for Ukraine, sports boycotts and open hearts. How Sweden and the EU should act on Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shaped the debate over the past week.

February 28, 2022, Current debate

Week 2: The NATO issue is brought to the forefront with Russia's demands for a sphere of interest

The question of whether Sweden should maintain its security policy line or adopt a so-called NATO option has divided the Swedish debate over the past week. Photo: Canva.

Of: Andreas Klawitter and Beata Sjödahl

The NATO issue has once again become highly topical after the deteriorating security situation in Europe and the Swedish debate has centered on the adoption of a NATO option. The Church Board's investigation of Israel and the crisis in Bosnia has also been the subject of last week's debate.

January 17, 2022, Current debate