ABSTRACT

This edited volume offers a detailed analysis of Finland’s transformation from neutrality to a pivotal NATO member following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

With contributions from scholars and military practitioners, the volume fills a critical gap in the literature by focusing on Finland’s changing security landscape. It explores Finland’s emerging role within NATO, changes in Finnish strategic posture, the perspectives of key allies, and its evolving relations with Russia and China. Divided into three thematic sections, the book covers Finland's shifting military-strategic context, its changing security orientation with great powers, and the impact on its key national security practices such as conscription, total defence, and border security. Finland’s geostrategic importance is emphasised, particularly as NATO’s frontline state with the longest border with Russia, and as a key player in Arctic policy. In contrast to broader regional analyses, this book provides a comprehensive and focused examination of Finland’s national security in its own right, offering vital insights for scholars and policymakers.

This book will be of much interest to students of Strategic and Security studies, NATO, Nordic studies and International Relations.

The Open Access version of this book, available at https://www.taylorfrancis.com, has been made available under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-No Derivatives (CC-BY-NC-ND) 4.0 license.

chapter |9 pages

Introduction

Title
Why Finland Matters
Size: 0.87 MB

part I|67 pages

Finland's Changing Regional Strategic Context

Title

chapter 1|16 pages

A Pragmatic Approach

Title
Historical Insights into Finnish Defence and Political Turning Points
Size: 0.94 MB
Size: 0.92 MB

chapter 3|12 pages

Nordic, Baltic or Part of the High North?

Title
Considerations on Finland's Geostrategic Position as a NATO Member State
Size: 0.92 MB

chapter 4|14 pages

From Survival to Deterrence

Title
Military Strategic Thinking in Finland
Size: 0.90 MB

chapter 5|11 pages

The (R)evolution in Finnish Deterrence

Title
Size: 0.91 MB

part II|69 pages

Finland and Great Power Competition

Title
Size: 0.93 MB
Size: 0.94 MB
Size: 0.95 MB

chapter 9|12 pages

Finnish-Russian Relations Before and After Finland's NATO Membership

Title
The Management of Enduring Dilemmas
Size: 0.92 MB

chapter 10|15 pages

“New Factors”

Title
Finland's China Relations in the Era of Great Power Competition
Size: 0.99 MB

part III|78 pages

The Finnish Model of Security in Turbulent Times

Title
Size: 0.93 MB

chapter 13|15 pages

Borders Under Uncertainty

Title
Finland's Hybrid Security Model in the NATO Era
Size: 0.93 MB

chapter 15|14 pages

Dynamics of Small-State Strategic Intelligence

Title
Joining NATO in Times of Militarised International Relations
Size: 1.07 MB

chapter 16|7 pages

Conclusions

Title
A Leverage State in the Making
Size: 0.92 MB