The Point: NATO goes north

NATO may get two new members. Finland’s government said on May 15 that it intends to join the military alliance NATO – a move that would shift it away from decades of neutrality.

And its neighbor country, Sweden, is expected to follow suit. Russia has called Finland’s move a great “mistake,” saying there are no threats to Finland’s security from Russia.

Why are these two Nordic countries taking steps to join NATO now?

What would be the security impact for Europe? And more chances for peace or greater risks of war?

Guests:

Dr. Jan Oberg
Research Director, Transnational Foundation for Peace and Future Research

Prof. Ulrich Brückner
Stanford University in Berlin

Michael O’ Hanlon
Foreign Policy Senior Fellow & Director of Research, Brookings Institution

Brian Berletic
Geopolitical Analyst

Prof. Yury Tavrovsky
Russian Political Commentator