Sweden Joins NATO, Prepares for War With Russia

Formerly neutral Finland joined NATO in 2023, and formerly neutral Sweden joined in March 2024. “Anything can happen. New NATO member Sweden prepares for war with Russia.” — France 24 English. By preparing for war, once passivist Sweden preserves the peace. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JUGnCWVVaA I offer more context to this in my Substack e-newsletter. Click.

Finland Finally Joins NATO, Without Sweden

TLDR News Daily Briefing from the UK: "In today’s episode, we run through the approval of Finland’s bid into NATO after a year long process. Also, we discuss the indictment of Donald Trump; the potential trade between Russia and North Korea; & the far-right walking out on Zelenskyy in Austria." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBKVytr0Wok

3 Remarkable Events in Scandinavian History

A great piece of Scandinavian history and travel-writing from Ben & Glinda Shipley, professional photographers and newspaper travel columnists. They begin on June 8, 793 AD, when the Vikings invaded an island off the coast of northeast Britain. They "spent the next few days slaughtering the godly, enslaving every woman of childbearing age, and sailing …

Emperor Charlemagne Vs. the Vikings

Chronicle - Medieval History Documentaries: "As the Vikings begin to attack the coasts of Northern Europe, they begin to encounter a whole different kind of resistance. Charlemagne, the notorious Frankish emperor has no plans to give up his Christian territory to these new raiders. This is the fascinating history of the the Viking raids on …

How DNA Reveals Vikings Never Left Scotland

BBC Reel: "Vikings conquered many of Scotland's islands, as well as the mainland, in the 8th and 9th Centuries. They came, they conquered, they left, or so the story seemed to go. Now historians are re-assessing the legacy the Vikings left on islands like Islay, a small island of about 3,000 inhabitants off the west …

What Putin’s Vision to Restore Soviet/Russian Empire Means

Some Russian troops in Ukraine are flying the Soviet flag as a symbol of "re-establishing Russian domination," As Russian President Vladimir Putin ponders restoring or recreating the Soviet or traditional Russian Empire that fell apart in 1991, it's important for students of history, geopolitics and diplomacy to recognize the scope of his vision: to destroy …

Gustavus Adolphus, Sweden’s Greatest King

Gustavus Adolphus (1594-1632), "also known in English as Gustav II Adolf or Gustav II Adolph, was King of Sweden from 1611 to 1632, and is credited for the rise of Sweden as a great European power." Wikipedia, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zwo_mQnyUug&t=53s The People Profiles

Why Does Denmark Own Greenland?

History Matters: "Greenland is massive. Denmark is not. Given its size, it's strategic position and its distance from Denmark? How does Denmark own it and why didn't anybody take it from them? If you want to find out watch this short and simple animated history documentary." https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pS_zMuGGY5k The comments section is also informative: "Britain shelled …

How Russia and Ukraine Were Settled in the 900s

Geo History: "Let's retrace on maps the first origins of Russia, from the creation of Novgorod during the IXth (9th) century, until the end of the Time of Troubles and the beginning of the Romanov dynasty" in the 1600s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUgzqkCW6A4 Chapters 00:00 The Varangians 01:15 Kievan Rus’ 02:52 Russian principalities 04:56 Catholic and Mongol threats …

Why Did Sweden and Norway Break Up in 1905?

History Matters: "Sometimes countries break up, like Britain and Ireland, Britain and America or Britain and most other places. And one such major break up was when Norway and Sweden went their own way in 1905. But what caused this split? Why did the two break up? To find out watch this short and simple …