Nordic Horizons

Three Nordic experts discuss Russian aggression in Ukraine and the way it is unravelling 70 years of neutrality and non-alignment in Scandinavia. It deals with opinion polls suggesting most Swedes and Finns want to join NATO, but questions American commitment to the Alliance - in light of remarks made five years ago by President Trump suggesting NATO is 'obsolete' and encouraging Europeans to take over the defence of their own continent. Our speakers ponder whether the time has arrived for an EU defence force.

Show Notes

This is a podcast edited from the conversation between three Nordic experts talking about Russian aggression in Ukraine and the way it is unravelling 70 years of neutrality and non-alignment in Scandinavia. It deals with opinion polls suggesting most Swedes and Finns want to join NATO, but questions American commitment to the Alliance - in light of remarks made five years ago by President Trump suggesting NATO is 'obsolete' and encouraging Europeans to take over the defence of their own continent. Our speakers ponder whether the time has arrived for an EU defence force.

Dr. Hans Mouritzen, Senior Researcher, Foreign policy and diplomacy, Danish Institute for International Studies:
Dr. Johanna Vuorelma, Centre for European Studies, University of Helsinki,
Dr. Iver B. Neumann, Director, Fridtjof Nansen Institute, Norway
Professor Lynn Jamieson, Chair Scottish CND,
Chaired by Lesley Riddoch, Director Nordic Horizons.

What is Nordic Horizons?

How do the Nordic nations consistently top international league tables?
Between Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland and Iceland they are the world's best democracy, the best place to be a woman, the best educated people and the happiest. They regularly top UNICEF's child wellbeing index, lead on the Green Transition and have an enduring emphasis on equality that's the envy of the world.
Nordic Horizons is a Scottish-based group that's been interested in learning more from our nearest European neighbours since devolved government resumed 20+ years ago. We've invited experts over to speak in the Scottish Parliament on Norwegian outdoor kindergarten, Finnish prison reform, Swedish electoral systems, Iceland's crowd-sourced constitution and Copenhagen's claim to be the world's first eco metropolis. Since the pandemic, our events have gone online - but all were recorded and will now be available - updated and edited - via this podcast on a monthly basis.