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The Times: Sweden’s security is in its most precarious state since WWII due to threats from Russia, Islamist terrorism, and escalating gang violence. National Security Adviser Henrik Landerholm has indicated that these issues are intertwined, with Russia exploiting Sweden’s societal vulnerabilities through hybrid warfare. Sweden has experienced terrorist attacks, like the recent shooting of two football fans, and incidents of suspected sabotage, including damage to important subsea cables.
Gun violence in Sweden has soared, exemplified by a record-breaking number of shootings in September, now 30 times that of London per capita. Vulnerable areas with high migrant populations, low employment, and education, but high crime rates, are of particular concern. These neighborhoods have become breeding grounds for Islamist radicals and criminal gangs, causing a breakdown in trust and the social contract, as noted by Magnus Hjort of the Swedish Psychological Defence Agency.
Landerholm, who served as Sweden’s ambassador to several Middle Eastern countries, observed that many first and second-generation immigrants might not fully embrace the Nordic social contract. Post-Ukraine invasion, Sweden shifted its security stance drastically for the first time in over 200 years, moving away from neutrality, increasing its defense budget, and applying to join NATO.
Domestically, while the Swedish government maintains a semblance of control and the public largely feels secure, the prime minister has involved the military in policing gang violence, and the terrorism threat level has been elevated. Though general fear is not pervasive, the proximity of violent incidents has caused considerable unease among Swedes.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/sweden-faces-worst-security-crisis-since-1945-says-top-adviser-9snb7pb36
