DCA Criticism: "A Direct Threat to All Swedes"

That the DCA agreement gives the USA the opportunity to place nuclear weapons on Swedish soil is a historic turnaround, according to several critics. This creates a direct threat to all Swedes, says diplomat Rolf Ekéus.

» Updated: July 16 2024

» Published: June 18 2024

DCA Criticism: "A Direct Threat to All Swedes"
Photo: Adam Ihse/TT

The DCA agreement gives the USA the opportunity to place nuclear weapons on Swedish soil, which is a historic turnaround, according to several critics.

This creates a direct threat to all Swedes, says diplomat Rolf Ekéus.

Membership in NATO put an end to Sweden's neutrality policy. But as we now seek to find its practical forms, drastic changes are also being implemented, according to Rolf Ekéus, a long-standing diplomat and former head of the UN's weapons inspectors in Iraq.

He is one of those who is critical of the cooperation agreement that will give the USA access to 17 Swedish military bases.

Of course, negotiations with the USA, as the leading power, can arise, but we must carefully weigh the content of the commitment to being part of NATO, he says, adding that "the big concern" is the nuclear dimension.

If we decide to base nuclear weapons on our territory, which I guess is aimed at Russia, we radically increase the risk of a nuclear attack on Sweden.

Losing credibility

Until recently, Sweden has had a leading role internationally in the work against nuclear weapons, in cooperation with the UN, emphasizes Rolf Ekéus. He questions why we do not have a clause against nuclear weapons on our territory, like Norway has. Overall, Ekéus thinks the agreement is surrounded by many uncertainties.

Dan Smith, head of the peace research institute Sipri, agrees.

The process has not been as complete as it could and should have been, he says.

Dan Smith believes that the USA might potentially bring nuclear weapons during military exercises – but that it would only be for a limited time. He thinks, however, that Sweden's voice as a nuclear power opponent has been weakened.

It is not logically incompatible to be under the nuclear umbrella and want a nuclear-free world. But the voices that demand it have probably more credibility among other UN members if they themselves are not under the nuclear umbrella.

"More diplomacy"

In the new security policy situation, many emphasize that constructive diplomacy no longer helps. Peace researcher Dan Smith disagrees.

It should be the first line of defense and therefore one of the most important contributions to security and real peace, he says.

He also believes that small and medium-sized powers have every opportunity to demand disarmament, and that they can cool down the heated relations between the great powers.

If the great powers cannot, the small powers must step forward and apply the right pressure. This is actually a time when there should be more diplomacy, not less.

The government believes that the agreement strengthens deterrence and stability, and emphasizes that it is based on Swedish sovereignty and consent.

Foreign Minister Tobias Billström (M) has pointed out that no country can be forced to accept nuclear weapons against its will, and that Sweden's stance of not allowing nuclear weapons on Swedish soil in peacetime is well-known and has been respected. Recently, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated that the question of nuclear weapons may be reconsidered in wartime.

The USA has concluded similar agreements with several other countries, including Finland, Norway, Denmark, the Baltic states, and Poland.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Virtual Reality Offers New Hope
5 MIN READ

Virtual Reality Offers New Hope for Phantom Pain Relief

Sweden Delays Joining Global Ocean
2 MIN READ

Sweden Delays Joining Global Ocean Protection Treaty

Sweden Allocates 71 Million Kronor
2 MIN READ

Sweden Allocates 71 Million Kronor to Support Helicopter Rescue Services

Social Democrats Propose State Investment
1 MIN READ

Social Democrats Propose State Investment Bank to Boost Growth

Green Party Proposes Emissions Trading
2 MIN READ

Green Party Proposes Emissions Trading to Replace Reduction Obligation

Västra Götaland Director Steps Down
1 MIN READ

Västra Götaland Director Steps Down After Journal System Setback

Sweden Announces Largest Military Aid
2 MIN READ

Sweden Announces Largest Military Aid Package to Ukraine

Sweden Boosts Workplace Inspections to
2 MIN READ

Sweden Boosts Workplace Inspections to Combat Rising Crime

Man Faces Charges for Online
1 MIN READ

Man Faces Charges for Online Child Sexual Offenses in Sweden

Man Sentenced to Psychiatric Care
3 MIN READ

Man Sentenced to Psychiatric Care for Ica Maxi Employee Murder

Rise in Children Contacting Bris
1 MIN READ

Rise in Children Contacting Bris About Eating Disorders Concerns Experts

Sweden Sees Lowest Deadly Violence
2 MIN READ

Sweden Sees Lowest Deadly Violence Cases in a Decade

New Tool Empowers Parents to
1 MIN READ

New Tool Empowers Parents to Combat Online Grooming Risks

Elderly Man's Death in Ale
1 MIN READ

Elderly Man's Death in Ale Sparks Murder Investigation

Prince Carl Philip's Secret Alias
1 MIN READ

Prince Carl Philip's Secret Alias Exposed in Sportadmin Data Breach

Child Abuse Images Discovered on
1 MIN READ

Child Abuse Images Discovered on Computer at Swedish Repair Shop

Explosion Rocks Trollhättan Apartment Building,
1 MIN READ

Explosion Rocks Trollhättan Apartment Building, No Injuries Reported

Teenager Seriously Injured in Highway
1 MIN READ

Teenager Seriously Injured in Highway Collision with A-Tractor

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Moved
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Moved to High-Security Turkish Prison

SMHI Warns of High Grass
1 MIN READ

SMHI Warns of High Grass Fire Risk in Sweden's Snow-Free Regions

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested
1 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested in Turkey, Press Freedom at Risk

Man in His 30s Found
1 MIN READ

Man in His 30s Found Dead Outdoors in Norrköping; Murder Investigation Launched

Police Car and Fire Truck
1 MIN READ

Police Car and Fire Truck Crash on E4 Injures Officers

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After
2 MIN READ

Sweden Prioritizes Journalist's Release After Arrest in Turkey

Europol Looks to Sweden for
2 MIN READ

Europol Looks to Sweden for Tackling Digital Gang Crime

Woman Dies After Clothes Catch
1 MIN READ

Woman Dies After Clothes Catch Fire in Strömstad Residence

Spring Warmth to Sweep Sweden
1 MIN READ

Spring Warmth to Sweep Sweden with Temperatures Over 20 Degrees

Prehistoric Wasp Used Plant-Like Trap
3 MIN READ

Prehistoric Wasp Used Plant-Like Trap to Capture Prey, Study Reveals

Turkey Accuses Swedish Journalist of
3 MIN READ

Turkey Accuses Swedish Journalist of Terrorism and Anti-Turkish Reporting

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes
1 MIN READ

Elderly Woman Airlifted After Clothes Catch Fire at Swedish Hospital

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices
4 MIN READ

Swedes Struggle as Food Prices Soar: 200 Kronor Gift Cards Run Out

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance
3 MIN READ

Police Push for Expanded Surveillance Powers on Minors in Sweden

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at
1 MIN READ

Siblings in Sweden Marvel at Rare Solar Eclipse with Welding Masks

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Expected to Be Released Soon in Turkey

Police Struggle to Keep Up
3 MIN READ

Police Struggle to Keep Up as Online Radicalization Surges

Witness the Partial Solar Eclipse
3 MIN READ

Witness the Partial Solar Eclipse on March 29: How to Safely Watch

Body Discovered After Gislaved Apartment
1 MIN READ

Body Discovered After Gislaved Apartment Fire; Police Investigate

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested
2 MIN READ

Swedish Journalist Joakim Medin Arrested in Turkey Without Charge Details

Teen Convicted in Skärholmen Tunnel
1 MIN READ

Teen Convicted in Skärholmen Tunnel Murder Appeals 14-Year Sentence

Key Figures Depart Following Millennium
1 MIN READ

Key Figures Depart Following Millennium System Halt in Västra Götaland