Sweden
Reports on Sweden See all →
Sweden rebuilds its military force, maybe
Sweden’s defense budget is to grow by about one third in the next three years, as the country reverses its decades-long policies and aims to rebuild its once impressive territorial defense capabilities. The plan hardly surprises in today’s neo-Cold War context, but given the scope and nature of the challenges faced by Swedish defense planners and the high costs, the ambitious endeavor may still fizzle.
Nordic disunion
One might expect the Nordic countries, with their strong democracies and economies, to be full-throated backers of the European project. But the differences between them have led to strained relations that are undermining their relationships with Brussels. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the migrant crisis, where Sweden’s approach ...
Opinion: Aurora 17 marks a new dawn for Swedish defense and NATO
Russia’s recent Zapad-2017 military exercises made plenty of headlines, but at least as significant were the drills held by Sweden’s armed forces around the same time. Held in conjunction with NATO partners, the maneuvers had Sweden flexing its military muscle for the first time in decades. They could tilt the ...
Refugee crisis tarnishes EU’s ‘moral superpower’
European leaders have long known that the main danger posed by the refugee influx is political backlash. This threat was explicitly recognized by Guenther Oettinger, Germany’s representative to the European Commission, during a press conference on December 30, 2015. “The European Union has learned to overcome crises,” he said. “But ...
Economics: Are vouchers for education an answer for the developing world?
Education vouchers are proving a success in many countries. Studies show they have raised standards in schools, increased results among low-achieving pupils, and helped disadvantaged children. In this briefing, GIS expert Dr Pauline Dixon explains why developing countries should embrace this alternative scheme to provide parents' choice in their child’s ...
