Martin Gelin

Este archivo solo abarca los artículos del autor incorporados a este sitio a partir del 1 de septiembre de 2006. Para fechas anteriores realice una búsqueda entrecomillando su nombre.

Emmanuel Macron with Donald Trump at the White House this week. Photograph: Ludovic Marin/AP

MundoAméricaEuropa,

Dominique de Villepin made his name with a memorable speech to the UN security council in February 2003, just before the US-led invasion of Iraq. De Villepin, the then French foreign minister, in effect signalled France’s intention to veto a UN resolution authorising the war, forcing the US and UK to act unilaterally. He warned that Washington’s strategy would lead to chaos in the Middle East and undermine international institutions. The prophetic plea was met with applause, a rare event in the security council chamber. It led to the career diplomat’s inclusion as a character in David Hare’s 2004 anti-war play, Stuff Happens.…  Seguir leyendo »

Tributes placed near the Risbergska school in Örebro on 7 February 2025. Photograph: Kuba Stężycki/Reuters

EuropaUnión Europea,

It was the worst mass shooting in Swedish history. Ten people were shot dead and many more wounded before the gunman shot himself. A week on from the atrocity in Örebro, about 125 miles west of Stockholm, Sweden is soul-searching for answers that are not easy to find.

The suspect, a 35-year-old white man, was initially described by authorities as “a lone wolf”. He may or may not have had an ideological motive.

But we now also know that most of those killed had an immigrant background. And it is hard to believe that the target of this violence was not political: Campus Risbergska, where the shooting took place, is an education centre for adults, many of whom were enrolled on a language programme called “Swedish for immigrants”.…  Seguir leyendo »

The government booklet recently issued to all households in Sweden. Photograph: Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency

EuropaUnión EuropeaDefensa y Seguridad

Swedes are generally not known to panic or overreact. But many of us are feeling a little shaken after a booklet with a soldier in camouflage holding a machine gun, with a fighter jet tearing through the sky in the background, landed on our door mats recently.

The government booklet, titled “In case of crisis or war”, was sent to every Swedish household as the threat of attack from Russia escalates. It signals the beginning of a new era in our country, with a bleak message about threats from war, natural disasters and pandemics.

“If Sweden is attacked, everyone must do their part to defend Sweden’s independence – and our democracy.…  Seguir leyendo »

Swedish prime minister Ulf Kristersson watches a military demonstration on 20 February 2024 at Berga naval base. Photograph: Jonathan Nackstrand/AFP/Getty Images

InternacionalOTAN

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 came as a rude awakening for Sweden. Across the country people suddenly realised that national security vulnerabilities were everywhere. The entire public transit rail network in Stockholm, for example, is operated by MTR, a Hong Kong-based company with ties to the Chinese Communist party.

In the event of Stockholm being attacked by foreign forces, most of the detail about critical infrastructure and tunnels running under the city centre – home to the Swedish parliament, the prime minister’s residence, the state department, the royal castle – could be shared with enemies.

“We have to assume that everything MTR knows about tunnels and infrastructure in Stockholm is also known in Beijing”, says Patrik Oksanen, an expert on national security.…  Seguir leyendo »