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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.
List of contents
Foreword,
Christopher Cavoli Introduction: Why Finland Matters,
Tommi Koivula, Matti Puranen and Antti Seppo PART I: Finland's Changing Regional Strategic Context Chapter 1: A Pragmatic Approach: Historical Insights into Finnish Defence and Political Turning Points,
Petteri Jouko Chapter 2: Strategic Cultural Adaptation and Change in Finland,
Antti Seppo Chapter 3: Nordic, Baltic or Part of the High North? Considerations on Finland's Geostrategic Position as a NATO Member State,
Tommi Koivula and Heljä Ossa Chapter 4: From Survival to Deterrence: Military Strategic Thinking in Finland,
Petteri Kajanmaa Chapter 5: The (R)evolution in Finnish Deterrence,
Jan Hanska PART II: Finland and Great Power Competition Chapter 6: Continuity and Change in Finnish Multilateralism, Post-2022,
Hanna Ojanen Chapter 7: The Evolution and Significance of Finnish-US Defence Cooperation,
Kimmo Kaipainen Chapter 8: Sweden, Norway and the UK as Finland's Allies,
Antti Pihlajamaa and Oscar Lassenius Chapter 9: Finnish-Russian Relations Before and after Finland's NATO Membership: The Management of Enduring Dilemmas,
Sinikukka Saari Chapter 10: "New Factors": Finland's China Relations in the Era of Great Power Competition,
Matti Puranen PART III: The Finnish Model of Security in Turbulent Times Chapter 11: The Role of Comprehensive Security as Part of Deterrence in NATO Finland,
Christian Perheentupa Chapter 12: Finnish Conscription and Willingness to Defend as Strategic Assets,
Teemu Häkkinen and Miina Kaarkoski Chapter 13: Borders Under Uncertainty: Finland's Hybrid Security Model in the NATO Era,
Minna Jokela Chapter 14: Still a Valued Instrument? Allied Finland and International Crisis Management,
Katariina Mustasilta Chapter 15: Dynamics of Small-State Strategic Intelligence: Joining NATO in Times of Militarised International Relations,
Olli Teirilä Chapter 16: Conclusions: A Leverage State in the Making,
Tommi Koivula, Matti Puranen and Antti Seppo
About the author
Tommi Koivula is Professor of Strategic Studies at the Department of Warfare, Finnish National Defence University. His books include
European Union and the Use of Military Force: Uncovering the Myths (2016) and
NATO's Burden-Sharing Disputes: Past, Present and Future Prospects (2022, with Heljä Ossa).
Matti Puranen is Associate Professor of Strategic Studies at the Department of Warfare, Finnish National Defence University. He is the co-editor of
Competing Visions for International Order Challenges for a Shared Direction in an Age of Global Contestation (2025, with Ville Sinkkonen and Veera Laine).
Antti Seppo is Researcher in the STRAX (
Transforming Strategic Cultures in Europe) research project at the Department of Warfare, Finnish National Defence University. He is the author of
From Guilt to Responsibility and Beyond: The Evolution of German Strategic Culture After the End of the Cold War (2021).
