Re:Finland and Sweden set to join NATO as soon as summer
by fsloth on Monday April 11, 2022 @04:01PM
(#30994044)
The kowtowing to Kremlin/Beijing would not be due to direct military pressure, but from lack of capital sources elsewhere.
It's a plausible scenario, but not a sure one.
Finland is capital poor country, it needs foreign investment or else it will stagnate.
Without NATO after Ukraine the investment environment in Finland will likely be perceived as highly unstable.
China, OTOH, is happy to continue investing vast amount of capital in it's Eurasian project / Belt&Road initiative.
Without NATO, Russia being a loyal subject of the CCP after being sanctioned out of the western sphere of trade, Beijing alliance would be irresistible by guaranteeing both capital and security.
Would that be bad? If you like free speech, then yes. If you like high quality institutions then yes.
This is of course again a bit hyperbolic - western capital flight might not happen.
It's a plausible scenario, but not a sure one.
Finland is capital poor country, it needs foreign investment or else it will stagnate.
Without NATO after Ukraine the investment environment in Finland will likely be perceived as highly unstable.
China, OTOH, is happy to continue investing vast amount of capital in it's Eurasian project / Belt&Road initiative.
Without NATO, Russia being a loyal subject of the CCP after being sanctioned out of the western sphere of trade, Beijing alliance would be irresistible by guaranteeing both capital and security.
Would that be bad? If you like free speech, then yes. If you like high quality institutions then yes.
This is of course again a bit hyperbolic - western capital flight might not happen.