"I see no signs that the US wants to leave NATO," he says.
The US's new security strategy with reduced American military involvement in Europe has raised questions about the future of the defense alliance.
"From what I understand, there is no drama going on," says Michael Claesson.
The Supreme Commander has weekly contacts with NATO and is part of the alliance's military committee, which meets in Brussels several times a year. Last week, he also had a meeting with American General Alexus Grynkewich.
"I see no signs right now that there will be any hasty retreat or withdrawal," says Claesson.
Is reasonable
He points out that what we actually know is that the US will hand over more responsibility for NATO to the Europeans, and he thinks that is entirely reasonable. Claesson thinks that we Swedes have an obligation to take care of our own security.
"The only thing I can hope for and strive for is that this change takes place in as orderly a manner as possible and that it does not happen at a pace that risks creating safety problems."
In the long term, an American withdrawal of troops from Europe could place new demands on Swedish rearmament, according to the Supreme Commander. However, he points out that NATO's secret defense plans are regional and that it is the countries in each region that already bear the greatest responsibility for their defense.
"The units that would possibly (according to the plans) be supplied by the Americans, we will of course have to try to replace," says Claesson.
Available on site
The Supreme Commander reminds us that NATO, like all international organizations, has had its crises, such as when France left military cooperation in 1996–1998 and the difficult relations that have arisen between NATO countries Greece and Turkey.
"The fact that crises arise and that there are tensions within an alliance is of course something that must be taken into account," says Claesson.
The alternatives that could be needed if NATO is politically paralyzed are already in place for Sweden, the Supreme Commander notes. For example, bilateral agreements with the US and Finland, the Nordic defense cooperation Nordefco and the rapid reaction force JEF, which includes, among others, the United Kingdom.
"The nice thing is that these collaborations exist under the NATO umbrella as a complement precisely in the event that one needs to act in some other constellation than NATO," says the Supreme Commander.
Following the Trump administration's statement about wanting to take over Greenland from Denmark, the country's prime minister has said that if the US launches an invasion, "it's all over."
"It is clear that it would be an extremely inconvenient circumstance, but I do not see it happening."
