The Price of Peace

Sweden’s leaders agree: combat readiness, civil defense, and technological sovereignty are worth the cost

In a rare moment of political unity, Sweden’s government and all eight parliamentary parties have signed a sweeping agreement to expand the country’s military and civil defense capabilities. The move is framed as a response to an increasingly volatile global security environment, particularly Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. But beneath the surface of consensus lies a more complex story—one that hints at shifting alliances, ideological tensions, and the possibility of a new political landscape emerging ahead of the next election.