Minna Ålander 🌻
@alanderminna.bsky.social
Analyst @sceeus-ui.bsky.social at @uisweden.bsky.social | Associate Fellow @chathamhouse.org | @cepa.org Fellow. Plot twist: not from Åland. 📸 Stas Kartashov
✍️ Northern Flank Notes: https://open.substack.com/pub/minnalander
✍️ Northern Flank Notes: https://open.substack.com/pub/minnalander
Pinned
Minna Ålander 🌻
@alanderminna.bsky.social
· Jul 10
Contours of European Strategic Autonomy
Europe is moving on without the US, and the US does not seem to like it after all.
open.substack.com
Today was the day when Europe announced that it is moving on:
The Franco-British agreement to establish a nuclear supervision group, and a permanent headquarters for the Ukraine coalition of the willing can become contours of a new European security architecture - this time without the US.
The Franco-British agreement to establish a nuclear supervision group, and a permanent headquarters for the Ukraine coalition of the willing can become contours of a new European security architecture - this time without the US.
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
“a wing of the party around 30-year-old Jordan Bardella styles Russia as a “threat” to France and Europe. By contrast, a more traditionalist camp aligns with the classic Kremlin position that NATO’s eastward expansion triggered the war. Each group has cast the other as being in the minority.”
Le Pen vs. Bardella: France’s far right fractures over whether Putin is the enemy
The National Rally leads the polls before the 2027 French presidential election, and its strategic vision on Moscow could have major implications for NATO.
www.politico.eu
February 2, 2026 at 10:11 AM
“a wing of the party around 30-year-old Jordan Bardella styles Russia as a “threat” to France and Europe. By contrast, a more traditionalist camp aligns with the classic Kremlin position that NATO’s eastward expansion triggered the war. Each group has cast the other as being in the minority.”
A brave new (old) world
The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty will expire this week. If it does, it will mark the first time since the 1970s that there will be no legally binding limits on US and Russian strategic nuclear forces.
The US and Russia’s nuclear weapons treaty is set to expire. Here’s what’s at stake
Letting New START expire would signal that the world’s largest nuclear powers are abandoning restraint.
www.chathamhouse.org
February 2, 2026 at 10:15 AM
A brave new (old) world
The worst thing about the ongoing ”peace negotiations” and Trump’s Greenland gambit is that they distract from Russia’s ongoing humanitarian warfare.
Happy to report that @lapatina.bsky.social and friends have been busy delivering emergency batteries around Kyiv ! A good way to help ⬇️
Happy to report that @lapatina.bsky.social and friends have been busy delivering emergency batteries around Kyiv ! A good way to help ⬇️
February 2, 2026 at 8:21 AM
The worst thing about the ongoing ”peace negotiations” and Trump’s Greenland gambit is that they distract from Russia’s ongoing humanitarian warfare.
Happy to report that @lapatina.bsky.social and friends have been busy delivering emergency batteries around Kyiv ! A good way to help ⬇️
Happy to report that @lapatina.bsky.social and friends have been busy delivering emergency batteries around Kyiv ! A good way to help ⬇️
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
I don’t understand why Sweden needs nukes when a sufficiently large amount of Surströmming would provide the same deterrence
In Sweden, the debate on Swedish/ Nordic/ European nukes is getting serious:
Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats are in favour and, more importantly, the leaders of the two traditional leading parties - Social Democrats and Moderates - have expressed themselves at least not opposed to the idea
Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats are in favour and, more importantly, the leaders of the two traditional leading parties - Social Democrats and Moderates - have expressed themselves at least not opposed to the idea
"Complete turnaround underway – opening up for Swedish nuclear weapons"
"What we are seeing now may be the first signs of a political turnaround in Sweden in the view on nuclear weapons"
@alanderminna.bsky.social
"What we are seeing now may be the first signs of a political turnaround in Sweden in the view on nuclear weapons"
@alanderminna.bsky.social
January 30, 2026 at 5:10 AM
I don’t understand why Sweden needs nukes when a sufficiently large amount of Surströmming would provide the same deterrence
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
US threatens to ‘decertify’ Canadian aircraft as rift with Ottawa deepens ft.trib.al/nwaA3od
US threatens to ‘decertify’ Canadian aircraft as rift with Ottawa deepens
Trump threatens tariff on Canada-made aircraft sold into US unless Gulfstream jets receive certification
ft.trib.al
January 30, 2026 at 1:20 AM
US threatens to ‘decertify’ Canadian aircraft as rift with Ottawa deepens ft.trib.al/nwaA3od
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
Vietnam and the European Union have upgraded diplomatic relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, as both sides aim to boost cooperation on trade and investment in semiconductors, critical raw materials and security.
Vietnam, EU Upgrade Relations as Trump Roils Global Trade
Vietnam and the European Union have upgraded diplomatic relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, paving the way for deeper trade ties as US President Donald Trump’s tariffs roil global trade and strain long-held alliances.
bloom.bg
January 29, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Vietnam and the European Union have upgraded diplomatic relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, as both sides aim to boost cooperation on trade and investment in semiconductors, critical raw materials and security.
In Sweden, the debate on Swedish/ Nordic/ European nukes is getting serious:
Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats are in favour and, more importantly, the leaders of the two traditional leading parties - Social Democrats and Moderates - have expressed themselves at least not opposed to the idea
Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats are in favour and, more importantly, the leaders of the two traditional leading parties - Social Democrats and Moderates - have expressed themselves at least not opposed to the idea
"Complete turnaround underway – opening up for Swedish nuclear weapons"
"What we are seeing now may be the first signs of a political turnaround in Sweden in the view on nuclear weapons"
@alanderminna.bsky.social
"What we are seeing now may be the first signs of a political turnaround in Sweden in the view on nuclear weapons"
@alanderminna.bsky.social
Analys: ”Helomvändning på gång – öppnar för svenska kärnvapen”
På kort tid har den svenska debatten om kärnvapen förändrats helt. Från att enbart ha handlat om nedrustning, handlar debatten nu om Sverige och Europa ska ta fram egna kärnvapen när USA uppfattas som...
www.svt.se
January 28, 2026 at 9:42 PM
In Sweden, the debate on Swedish/ Nordic/ European nukes is getting serious:
Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats are in favour and, more importantly, the leaders of the two traditional leading parties - Social Democrats and Moderates - have expressed themselves at least not opposed to the idea
Christian Democrats and Sweden Democrats are in favour and, more importantly, the leaders of the two traditional leading parties - Social Democrats and Moderates - have expressed themselves at least not opposed to the idea
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
"Complete turnaround underway – opening up for Swedish nuclear weapons"
"What we are seeing now may be the first signs of a political turnaround in Sweden in the view on nuclear weapons"
@alanderminna.bsky.social
"What we are seeing now may be the first signs of a political turnaround in Sweden in the view on nuclear weapons"
@alanderminna.bsky.social
Analys: ”Helomvändning på gång – öppnar för svenska kärnvapen”
På kort tid har den svenska debatten om kärnvapen förändrats helt. Från att enbart ha handlat om nedrustning, handlar debatten nu om Sverige och Europa ska ta fram egna kärnvapen när USA uppfattas som...
www.svt.se
January 28, 2026 at 8:26 PM
"Complete turnaround underway – opening up for Swedish nuclear weapons"
"What we are seeing now may be the first signs of a political turnaround in Sweden in the view on nuclear weapons"
@alanderminna.bsky.social
"What we are seeing now may be the first signs of a political turnaround in Sweden in the view on nuclear weapons"
@alanderminna.bsky.social
Just finished ”Once We Had the Arctic” by Heikkilä Markku and I can’t recommend it enough. It spans the circumpolar Arctic and is rich in anecdotes that perfectly illustrate the facts that make it such a special place - not only a geography and climate, but a state of mind and a way of life.
January 28, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Just finished ”Once We Had the Arctic” by Heikkilä Markku and I can’t recommend it enough. It spans the circumpolar Arctic and is rich in anecdotes that perfectly illustrate the facts that make it such a special place - not only a geography and climate, but a state of mind and a way of life.
Nice. This is probably the result of the working group on UNCLOS:
”Vessels shall sail under the flag of only one State and vessels that sail under the flags of two or more states, using them according to convenience, may be treated as a ship without nationality, as according to UNCLOS Article 92.”
”Vessels shall sail under the flag of only one State and vessels that sail under the flags of two or more states, using them according to convenience, may be treated as a ship without nationality, as according to UNCLOS Article 92.”
Nu börjar det hända saker. JEF+ varnar i praktiken Ryssland för att man kommer att stoppa skuggflottan. Sverige med bland de 14 länderna.
The growing risks to maritime safety
www.gov.uk
January 27, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Nice. This is probably the result of the working group on UNCLOS:
”Vessels shall sail under the flag of only one State and vessels that sail under the flags of two or more states, using them according to convenience, may be treated as a ship without nationality, as according to UNCLOS Article 92.”
”Vessels shall sail under the flag of only one State and vessels that sail under the flags of two or more states, using them according to convenience, may be treated as a ship without nationality, as according to UNCLOS Article 92.”
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
Nu börjar det hända saker. JEF+ varnar i praktiken Ryssland för att man kommer att stoppa skuggflottan. Sverige med bland de 14 länderna.
The growing risks to maritime safety
www.gov.uk
January 27, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Nu börjar det hända saker. JEF+ varnar i praktiken Ryssland för att man kommer att stoppa skuggflottan. Sverige med bland de 14 länderna.
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
Interesting compromise, given the timing. "The UK government plans to tighten scrutiny of Chinese activity within its Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) without placing Beijing in the same bracket as Moscow and Tehran" www.ft.com/content/9bfe...
Government plans to tighten scrutiny of Chinese influence in UK
Sir Keir Starmer seeks to bolster registration scheme while still deepening Sino-British relations
www.ft.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:39 PM
Interesting compromise, given the timing. "The UK government plans to tighten scrutiny of Chinese activity within its Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS) without placing Beijing in the same bracket as Moscow and Tehran" www.ft.com/content/9bfe...
Nothing to add except maybe amen
IMF chief tells Europe to drop the doom loop
Seven of the 10 best-performing economies in 2025 were EU countries — so Europe should stop talking itself down, says Kristalina Georgieva.
www.politico.eu
January 27, 2026 at 1:41 PM
Nothing to add except maybe amen
Don’t we all love the strategic ambiguity of a rotating red button 🤪
The Nordic Nuke Debate™️ has gone international:
"The Nordic countries could offer something genuinely new in the field of nuclear command and control, tackling both moral and psychological aspects of deterrence."
Proposals include a rotating nuclear football amongst the Nordic leaders.
"The Nordic countries could offer something genuinely new in the field of nuclear command and control, tackling both moral and psychological aspects of deterrence."
Proposals include a rotating nuclear football amongst the Nordic leaders.
Is it Time for a Nordic Nuke?
Moscow’s “Oreshnik” strike on January 9, 2026 is best understood as strategic signaling designed to shape what NATO will and will not do. Russia’s use of
warontherocks.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Don’t we all love the strategic ambiguity of a rotating red button 🤪
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
The Nordic Nuke Debate™️ has gone international:
"The Nordic countries could offer something genuinely new in the field of nuclear command and control, tackling both moral and psychological aspects of deterrence."
Proposals include a rotating nuclear football amongst the Nordic leaders.
"The Nordic countries could offer something genuinely new in the field of nuclear command and control, tackling both moral and psychological aspects of deterrence."
Proposals include a rotating nuclear football amongst the Nordic leaders.
Is it Time for a Nordic Nuke?
Moscow’s “Oreshnik” strike on January 9, 2026 is best understood as strategic signaling designed to shape what NATO will and will not do. Russia’s use of
warontherocks.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:40 AM
The Nordic Nuke Debate™️ has gone international:
"The Nordic countries could offer something genuinely new in the field of nuclear command and control, tackling both moral and psychological aspects of deterrence."
Proposals include a rotating nuclear football amongst the Nordic leaders.
"The Nordic countries could offer something genuinely new in the field of nuclear command and control, tackling both moral and psychological aspects of deterrence."
Proposals include a rotating nuclear football amongst the Nordic leaders.
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
« The mother of all trade deals »
We are closing in on the 🇪🇺🇮🇳 Free Trade Agreement.
See you soon in Delhi.
We are closing in on the 🇪🇺🇮🇳 Free Trade Agreement.
See you soon in Delhi.
January 24, 2026 at 12:24 PM
« The mother of all trade deals »
We are closing in on the 🇪🇺🇮🇳 Free Trade Agreement.
See you soon in Delhi.
We are closing in on the 🇪🇺🇮🇳 Free Trade Agreement.
See you soon in Delhi.
Yes the US has reached the ”nothing is true and everything is possible” stage. Refer to Russia for further information how it continues from there
Ultimately you're not supposed to believe it. It not mattering is the point. The bolder the lie, the greater the impunity. The ultimate victory for evil is not convincing you, it's the truth being irrelevant.
We’re supposed to believe this is a domestic terrorist attacking ICE with a gun
January 24, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Yes the US has reached the ”nothing is true and everything is possible” stage. Refer to Russia for further information how it continues from there
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
Several units within the Finnish Defence Forces follow traditions from units raised by Sweden in the early 17th century. The Swedish-speaking Nyland Brigade (Uudenmaan prikaati) follow the traditions of Nyland and Tavastehus Cavalry Regiment, raised in 1626. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyland_...
January 24, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Several units within the Finnish Defence Forces follow traditions from units raised by Sweden in the early 17th century. The Swedish-speaking Nyland Brigade (Uudenmaan prikaati) follow the traditions of Nyland and Tavastehus Cavalry Regiment, raised in 1626. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nyland_...
Nylands brigade is older than independent Finland !
Finland’s Swedish-speaking Nylands Brigade celebrates its 400th birthday!
Established in 1626 by King Gustavus Adolphus II, the 🇸🇪-🇫🇮 ties continue deepening today through the joint Swedish Finnish Amphibious Task Unit (SFATU).
Here’s to another 400 years: merivoimat.fi/sv/400-ars-j...
Established in 1626 by King Gustavus Adolphus II, the 🇸🇪-🇫🇮 ties continue deepening today through the joint Swedish Finnish Amphibious Task Unit (SFATU).
Here’s to another 400 years: merivoimat.fi/sv/400-ars-j...
January 24, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Nylands brigade is older than independent Finland !
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
Finland’s Swedish-speaking Nylands Brigade celebrates its 400th birthday!
Established in 1626 by King Gustavus Adolphus II, the 🇸🇪-🇫🇮 ties continue deepening today through the joint Swedish Finnish Amphibious Task Unit (SFATU).
Here’s to another 400 years: merivoimat.fi/sv/400-ars-j...
Established in 1626 by King Gustavus Adolphus II, the 🇸🇪-🇫🇮 ties continue deepening today through the joint Swedish Finnish Amphibious Task Unit (SFATU).
Here’s to another 400 years: merivoimat.fi/sv/400-ars-j...
January 24, 2026 at 11:46 AM
Finland’s Swedish-speaking Nylands Brigade celebrates its 400th birthday!
Established in 1626 by King Gustavus Adolphus II, the 🇸🇪-🇫🇮 ties continue deepening today through the joint Swedish Finnish Amphibious Task Unit (SFATU).
Here’s to another 400 years: merivoimat.fi/sv/400-ars-j...
Established in 1626 by King Gustavus Adolphus II, the 🇸🇪-🇫🇮 ties continue deepening today through the joint Swedish Finnish Amphibious Task Unit (SFATU).
Here’s to another 400 years: merivoimat.fi/sv/400-ars-j...
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
I present to you, the Swedish Armed Forces Pride campaign.
January 23, 2026 at 9:12 PM
I present to you, the Swedish Armed Forces Pride campaign.
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
First Trump's tariffs tipped the Canadian and Australian elections to the center-left parties.
Then his interference in Brazil flipped Lula's numbers, and Greenland threats revived the Danish left — both ahead of 2026 elections.
Trump is the international left's best friend.
Then his interference in Brazil flipped Lula's numbers, and Greenland threats revived the Danish left — both ahead of 2026 elections.
Trump is the international left's best friend.
January 23, 2026 at 8:46 PM
First Trump's tariffs tipped the Canadian and Australian elections to the center-left parties.
Then his interference in Brazil flipped Lula's numbers, and Greenland threats revived the Danish left — both ahead of 2026 elections.
Trump is the international left's best friend.
Then his interference in Brazil flipped Lula's numbers, and Greenland threats revived the Danish left — both ahead of 2026 elections.
Trump is the international left's best friend.
There goes the last bastion
Trump has really angered Starmer. PM had to toughen his language after initial No10 reaction was criticised as not strong enough by families of UK forces killed in Afghanistan. Govt realised it's out of step with public opinion. Even Farage has criticised Trump. Beyond the pale
January 23, 2026 at 8:48 PM
There goes the last bastion
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
Do you think anyone has recently explained NORAD to POTUS?
January 23, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Do you think anyone has recently explained NORAD to POTUS?
Reposted by Minna Ålander 🌻
Trump has really angered Starmer. PM had to toughen his language after initial No10 reaction was criticised as not strong enough by families of UK forces killed in Afghanistan. Govt realised it's out of step with public opinion. Even Farage has criticised Trump. Beyond the pale
January 23, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Trump has really angered Starmer. PM had to toughen his language after initial No10 reaction was criticised as not strong enough by families of UK forces killed in Afghanistan. Govt realised it's out of step with public opinion. Even Farage has criticised Trump. Beyond the pale