Sweden (Washington Insider Magazine)—A warning from two of Sweden’s top defence officials urging citizens to mentally prepare for the possibility of war has sparked concerns and accusations of alarmism. Civil Defence Minister Carl-Oskar Bohlin, speaking at a defence conference, stated that “there could be war in Sweden,” a sentiment echoed by military Commander-in-Chief Gen Micael Byden. He emphasized that Swedes must prepare on an individual level, adding that this message should serve as a wake-up call.
While some have supported the remarks as necessary preparation given the current geopolitical climate, opposition figures, such as ex-Prime Minister Magdalena Andersson, have criticized the tone. Andersson acknowledged the serious security situation but reassured that war was not imminent. Children’s rights organization Bris also reported an uptick in worried calls from youngsters following the news, prompting concerns that the message wasn’t tailored appropriately for different audiences.
Gen Byden later clarified that his aim was not to cause panic but to encourage people to think about their responsibilities in a potential crisis. The warnings come as Sweden moves closer to joining NATO, pending final approvals from Turkey and Hungary. Sweden has already committed to increasing its defense spending to meet NATO’s 2% of GDP target by 2024, doubling its spending since 2020.
Defence experts like Oscar Jonsson see the remarks as a necessary wake-up call to address gaps in Sweden’s civil and military preparedness. However, Jonsson also pointed out that the likelihood of war would depend on several factors, including the outcome of the Ukraine conflict, Russia’s military rebuilding efforts, and Europe’s reliance on US military support.
