Sweden's military chief warns of unpredictable Putin threat

Sweden's incoming supreme commander, General Michael Claesson, has expressed concerns about the current global security landscape, stating it is more dangerous than during the Cold War. He highlighted the unpredictability of Russia's actions, describing the Kremlin as 'strategically erratic' and noting the variety of threats it poses, including conventional military aggression and hybrid warfare that exploits societal vulnerabilities. Claesson's remarks come in the context of Sweden's recent NATO membership, which was prompted by Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022. The outgoing defense chief, Micael Bydén, had previously warned about the strategic importance of the Swedish island of Gotland, emphasizing that Russian control over this area could significantly impact the Baltic Sea region. The situation has escalated tensions, with Russia threatening NATO and its allies, particularly in the Arctic region, where Sweden is located. This evolving security environment necessitates a reevaluation of defense strategies in Sweden and the broader region, as the threat from Russia continues to loom large.