NATO’s Northern Enlargement
Finland and Sweden’s Path to Membership
By Tuomas Forsberg and Magnus Christiansson
Published
Jul 29, 2025Page count
192 pagesISBN
978-1529245042Dimensions
203 x 127 mmImprint
Bristol University PressPublished
Jul 1, 2025Page count
192 pagesISBN
978-1529245059Dimensions
203 x 127 mmImprint
Bristol University PressPublished
Jul 1, 2025Page count
192 pagesISBN
978-1529245059Dimensions
203 x 127 mmImprint
Bristol University Press
NATO’s Northern Enlargement
Europe’s security environment was fundamentally altered by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine which gave fresh impetus to states to apply for NATO membership. This book, written by leading experts on European defence, analyses NATO’s northern expansion, detailing the unique dynamics that forged Finland and Sweden’s path to NATO membership.
The book uses resources in Swedish, Finnish and English to offer a balanced study of both political and military aspects of NATO enlargement. Exploring the pressing issues that NATO will need to tackle, particularly in Northern Europe, the book considers the potential repercussions the newest round of NATO enlargement will have on European and global security.
‘A compelling and rewarding book. The authors incisively trace the drama of Finland and Sweden’s NATO accession.’ Sten Rynning, Danish Institute for Advanced Study
‘An absolute must-read for anybody interested in Europe’s evolving security architecture and the history of Finland’s and Sweden’s NATO membership.’ Kristina Spohr, LSE and author of Post Wall, Post Square: Rebuilding the World after 1989 (2019)
Tuomas Forsberg is Professor of International Relations at Tampere University, Finland.
Magnus Christiansson is Assistant Professor of War Studies at the Swedish Defence University.
1. Introduction
2. Drivers of NATO Enlargement
3. Finland Exercises Its ‘NATO Option’
4. Sweden’s Historical Decision on NATO
5. The Alliance and the Accession Process
6. Finland and Sweden in NATO
7. NATO in the North
8. Conclusions: A Strategic Shift and Its Paradoxes
