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The public lecture titled “Security Policy of Small States – The Defence Strategies of the four Nordic Countries” by Håkan Edström and Jacob Westberg from the Swedish Defence University was held at the Faculty of Political Science on 24 November 2021.
Reflecting on the experience of four Nordic countries, this lecture explored how small states have adjusted their military strategies in response to external shocks of the 21st century. The 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Russian interventions in Georgia and Ukraine, and the rise of the Islamic State have all forced the Nordic states to adopt new strategies. Some of the questiones addressed in the lecture are: How have they responded? How have their differing relations to the EU and NATO shaped their military affairs? How limited military capacity determines small countries’ strategies? Is it necessary for small states to cooperate with more resourceful partners to protect and promote their national interests? Do small states always behave expectedly?
Håkan Edström is an Associate Professor in Political Science and Senior Lecturer in War Studies at the Swedish Defence University (SEDU) in Stockholm. His research focuses on security politics and military strategy. Among his recent publication are Military Strategy of Great Powers (Routledge, 2022), Military Strategy of Middle Powers (Routledge, 2020) and Military Strategy of Small States (Routledge, 2019).
Jacob Westberg is an Associate Professor in War Studies and Lecturer in Security Policy and Strategy at the Swedish Defence University. He has published widely on Sweden’s security policy and Nordic defence cooperation both historically and presently. His latest publications include a book on Sweden’s security policy and three monographs and two articles on the military strategy of small states, middle powers and great powers, co-authored with Håkan Edström.
