Shot this a while ago during either a pre-storm och post-storm sunset. I love Sweden. I love Scandinavia. It’s an incredibly beautiful part of the world where most people are kind, thoughtful, and sensible. Folks are for the most part trustworthy and soft-spoken. But make no mistake about the region’s traditions when it comes to making and selling some really nasty weaponry. I’ve even read somewhere that Swedes were the original Soldiers of Fortune during the Viking era – among other places in today’s Istanbul, no less.

In 2021, Sweden exported weapons and related material to the tune of SEK48 billion/USD 4 billion. Fact is, this ancient country in northern Europe is the 13th largest exporter of military stuff in the world.

So it seems clear now that Sweden’s going to be allowed to join NATO soon. If for no other reason, I think becoming a member will at least put an end to the country’s long-running history of hypocrisy.

Maintaining its neutrality yet exporting deadly weapons to undemocratic nations, with dubious regime leaders has been a part of Sweden’s signature opportunism and a shameful double standard since at least WWII. Winston Churchill once stoutly stated: “Sweden ignored the greater moral issues of the war and played both sides for profit”.

It’s pathetic that in 2023 we still haven’t figured out a way to agree that we sometimes disagree without having to go to war about it. Personally, I think there’s just way too much male testosterone in the bloodstreams of the men in charge. Especially older men that are either trying (at any price) to make it into the history books before they croak or, believe that they’re God’s gift to mankind and can do no wrong, especially if it means they get to line their pockets in the process.