You can see different perspectives on the day's top stories and debates. The challenge of the far-right nationalist Marine Le Pen to the centrist PresidentEmmanuelMacron is giving many French citizens a sense of mixed feelings. Sweden and Finland, two European nations that have long valued strategic neutrality, seem to be inching closer to joining NATO in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The security landscape has completely changed, according to Swedish Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson. The recent comments by Andersson represent a significant change in her view of NATO membership. She said last month that Sweden joining the alliance would increase tensions in Europe. The steady stream of horrifying news out of Ukraine has caused citizens of both countries to change their opinions. A recent poll shows that more Finns are in favor of joining NATO than last year. According to a poll released this week, a majority of Swedes favor joining. Even as more than a dozen countries in eastern Europe have joined the alliance since the fall of the Soviet Union, Sweden and Finland have historically declined to join. The policy of neutrality dates back to the early 1800s. After fighting off a Soviet invasion during World War II, Finland established a neutral position. NATO is a military alliance built on the principle of collective defense, meaning that all NATO countries agree to come to the defense of any individual member that comes under attack. Russia considers NATO to be a direct threat, and Russian President Vladimir Putin said the possibility that Ukraine might join motivated his decision to launch the Russian invasion. Russia's Foreign Ministry has warned of serious military and political consequences if Sweden and Finland join the alliance. There are clear benefits to adding Sweden and Finland to NATO. The invasion reminds them of how dangerous it can be for countries on Russia's borders. The two Nordic countries would have the power of some of the world's most powerful militaries if they joined NATO. NATO and its members have a lot to gain by bringing in Sweden and Finland, according to some defense analysts. Both nations are small, but experts say their militaries are still formidable. The two countries would provide a strategic foothold along Russia's northwest flank, particularly along the 830-mile border with Russia. Others think that expanding NATO would be another way to punish Putin for his assault on Ukraine. Skeptics worry about potential retaliation from Putin at a time when he is vulnerable. Increasing NATO's foothold along Russia's border would create opportunities for conflict that could lead to another world war according to some. Some people believe that NATO shouldn't exist. Some on the right believe that the alliance allows smaller nations to neglect their defense capabilities, knowing that major powers will come to their rescue. Observers on the far left say that anything that promotes military force over non-violent forms of collaboration is harmful to the world. There are two major steps that need to be taken before Sweden and Finn can join NATO. The Parliaments would have to vote to join. Each of the 30 NATO countries would have to approve their membership in order for it to happen. The war in Ukraine has made it clear why Sweden and Finns should join. The Finns and the Swedes want to be the next Ukraine. Kevin Baron, Defense One executive editor, told MSNBC that Putin does not want to challenge any of the NATO countries directly. Russia probably won't go to war to keep Sweden and Finland out of NATO. Putin views Sweden differently than he does Ukraine because of their different histories. Russia is seen as part of an imagined world by Putin. Sweden and Finland are not as similar to Ukraine as they are to Russia. Adding new NATO members is a way to punish Russia. It would be a dramatic reversal of fortunes and would demonstrate the agility of the liberal democratic countries in applying the diplomatic element of power, well below the threshold of war. The NATO alliance would get a lot of benefits from both countries. Finns and Swedes wouldn't be alliance freeloaders. Their location in the Baltic Sea could be critical in a conflict with Russia. Wealthy Sweden can afford its announced defense-spending increases, as it already punches above its weight. An editorial in the Wall Street Journal states that a secure Europe serves American interests. We have a responsibility to protect each other. Ukraine is a game-changer in European security. The real threat to fellow member-states leaves us all with no choice but to look again at how we see our responsibilities to one another. NATO membership would have saved Ukraine. If NATO was more popular among Ukrainians and marketed as a security guarantee against Russia, the country could have avoided eight years of violence and suffering. The lesson to be learned is that NATO did not grow fast enough. Russia might try to keep Sweden out. Would Russia consider an attack on Sweden? It may seem unlikely, but the West should not underestimate the possibility that Mr. Putin will make a rash decision. The odds of a catastrophic conflict increase with a greater NATO presence on Russia's border. If it allows NATO bases, troops, and weaponry within its borders, it could permanently heighten the hair-trigger environment that now exists between the Kremlin and Washington. NATO's expansion after the Cold War inspired Putin's invasion of Ukraine. There would be no war in Ukraine if NATO had moved eastward to include it. The world is less safe because of NATO. The alliance has been a liability to peace and stability due to its rudderless security pact. A path to peace will never be created by greater militarism. Europe goes ahead and arms itself to the teeth to protect itself. Noam Chomsky, linguist and political commentator, said that anyone observing this from outer space would be cracking up in laughter. The U.S. should not sign up to protect more weak countries. It adds a burden to the entire alliance, and it adds another level of risk for the United States. Is there a topic that you would like to see covered in The 360? Send your suggestions to the360@yahoonews.com The photo illustration is from Yahoo News. In November, Democratic insiders predict doom. As Russia looks to control the Donbas, Ukraine is preparing for a different type of warfare. Large-scale battles are realistic. The most famous battles of the war. Become a pilot, crew leader or infantry squad commander. Russia has lost close to 3000 armored vehicles, but only half of them in combat. Chris Livesay spoke to a Ukrainian military expert about the issue of armored vehicles. The White House is considering sanctions against Zelenskiy and his chief of staff. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned on Friday that Russia has ambitious plans to capture other countries and that the invasion of Ukraine was only the beginning. You want to make your time worthwhile when you travel. We are here to help steer you away from bad decisions. The Stormer armor vehicle from the UK is loaded with anti-aircraft missiles that can shoot down Putin's planes. At a conference last week, Musk said that his interest in acquiring Twitter is not a way to make money, but to do good by civilization. Russia is refusing to say what happened to its flagship cruiser, but the Moskva may offer a clue. Many equally delicious berries are abundant in the wild and are commonly available in grocery stores. Russia has lost close to 3000 armored vehicles, but only half of them in combat. The Atlanta Falcons player was turned away from Le Bilboquet while wearing a Gucci tracksuit and a tennis chain. Russian forces tried to storm a steel plant housing soldiers and civilians in the southern city of Mariupol on Saturday in an attempt to crush the last corner of resistance in a place of deep symbolic and strategic value to Moscow, Ukrainian officials said. The assault on the city on the eve of Easter came after the Kremlin claimed that it had taken control of the entire city except for the Azovstal plant. There is a Laptops Clearance Sale. Unsold laptops are being sold for less than their worth. You can see prices in Virginia. The decision was reasonable and fair, but airlines need to think about what to do if the mandate is restored. Will Smith was seen smiling and posing for photos at a Mumbai airport on April 23, marking his first public appearance since he slapped Chris Rock at the Oscars last month. Disney was accused of trying to command our democratic process by Ron DeSantis while he was promoting a new bill to strip the company of its governing status. Will you be ready for the rare wealth event that is taking place in America? During Reconstruction, the rule was used to remove office-holders who had previously held positions in the Confederacy. Marine Le Pen, the far-right leader of France, is in a race to become the country's next president as Putin hopes for a win to upend NATO. More than 20,000 Russian troops are dead or missing in Ukraine, and the Kremlin has admitted that the second phase of the war is in the south and east of the country. What it was like to ride with a refugee rescue group in Ukraine after Russia invaded, with mines, military checkpoints, and a journalist's cell phone. Hunter Biden's business affairs will be investigated by the GOP along with the military withdrawal from Afghanistan. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, warned that the Kremlin wanted to invade other countries.Yahoo News 360
What’s happening
Why there’s debate
What’s next
Perspectives
Supporters
Skeptics
Ad•Enlisted
Ad•Healthline
Ad•searchlime
Ad•Amazon.com
All Rights Reserved © 2024
