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Sweden has formally joined as the 32nd member of the transatlantic military alliance, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality. It comes as security concerns in Europe have heightened following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
US President Joe Biden congratulated Sweden on its admission and said it was a sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine had united, rather than divided, the alliance.
“When Putin launched his brutal war of aggression against the people of Ukraine, he thought he could weaken Europe and divide NATO,” Biden said in a statement, which he is expected to echo in his State of the Union address to Congress later Thursday.
“Instead, in May 2022, Sweden and Finland — two of our close partners, with two highly capable militaries — made the historic decision to apply for full NATO membership," Biden said. ”With the addition of Sweden today, NATO stands more united, determined, and dynamic than ever — now 32 nations strong."
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken presided at a ceremony in which Sweden’s “instrument of accession” to the alliance was officially deposited at the US State Department.
“This is a historic moment for Sweden. It's historic for the alliance. It's historic for the transatlantic relationship,” Blinken said. “Our NATO alliance is now stronger, larger than it’s ever been.”
“Today is truly a historic day,” Kristersson said. “We are humbled, but we are also proud. We will live up to high expectations from all NATO allies. United we stand. Unity and solidarity will be Sweden’s guiding light
Later Thursday, Kristersson was to visit the White House and then be a guest of honour at Biden’s State of the Union address.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg also described it as “a historic day”.
“Sweden will now take its rightful place at NATO’s table, with an equal say in shaping NATO policies and decisions,” he said in a statement.
The Swedish flag will be raised outside the military organization’s headquarters in Brussels on Monday. Stoltenberg underscored that the Nordic country “now enjoys the protection granted under Article 5, the ultimate guarantee of allies’ freedom and security.”
Article 5 of NATO’s treaty obliges all members to come to the aid of an ally whose territory or security is under threat. It has only been activated once by the US after the 9/11 attacks. It is the collective security guarantee that Sweden has sought since Russia invaded Ukraine.
“Sweden’s accession makes NATO stronger, Sweden safer and the whole alliance more secure,” Stoltenberg said. He added that the move “demonstrates that NATO’s door remains open and that every nation has the right to choose its own path.”
Sweden, along with Finland, which joined NATO last year, both abandoned long-standing military neutrality that was a hallmark of the Nordic states’ Cold War foreign policy after Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022.
Biden, in his speech to Congress, was expected to use Sweden’s decision to join to step up calls for reluctant Republicans to approve stalled military assistance to Ukraine as the war enters its third year.
Biden and his NATO counterparts have vowed that Ukraine will join one day, too.
Sweden’s membership had been held up due to objections by NATO members Turkey and Hungary. Turkey expressed concern that Sweden was harbouring and not taking enough action against Kurdish groups that it regards as terrorists and Hungary's populist President Viktor Orban has shown pro-Russian sentiment and not shared the alliance’s determination to support Ukraine.
After months of delay, Turkey ratified Sweden’s admission earlier this year, and Hungary did so this week.
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Marriage is currently considered to be the only foundation of family in Ireland, but this could soon change. Other relationships considered to be 'long-term' could also find their way into the country's Constitution.
Unmarried couples, whether heterosexual or homosexual, as well as cohabiting families or single parents would be constitutionally recognised as forming a family.
Redefining women's role
A second referendum will also redefine women's place in the home. At the moment, the Constitution guarantees that women do not have to work outside of their home if this "goes against their duties at home" - without further defining the notion of duties.
The article in question recognises the national benefit that is provided by married women's work in their own homes, including caring for family members.
If the change is passed, the section would be amended to recognise family members who act as carers generally, and to provide state support for all Irish people in this situation, not just women.
Modernising Ireland
Critics argue that the two referendums would create legal loopholes, in particular by not defining the new family-related terms precisely enough.
The Labour Party, speaking to Euronews at Griffith College Dublin, supports the two referendums, believing them to be necessary in order to recognise the full range of current family realities, and to do away with language about women and mothers that is considered sexist and outdated.
Ireland's house prices set to keep rising as shortages hit home
The Irish Constitution was put in place in 1937, when the country was guided by more conservative values, based on the principles of Catholic religion.
Long lagging behind its European neighbours, Ireland has recently modernised its approach to women's and minority rights.
Until 1973, the State prohibited married women from working in the public service, de facto forcing them to resign if they married, and to devote themselves to their homes.
Voluntary termination of pregnancy (abortion) has been legalised for all Irish women in 2019, whereas until now it was one of the strictest in Europe, authorised only in cases of serious and imminent danger to the life of the pregnant woman.
In 2015, the Irish people legalised marriage for same-sex couples by referendum.
However, the issues surrounding these two new referendums are of less interest to the public than those concerning abortion or gay marriage. The results are expected on Saturday morning.
The rise of celebrity investors in football is reshaping the sport's landscape. Renowned personalities from various backgrounds are increasingly acquiring stakes in clubs worldwide.
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For example, movie stars Ryan Reynolds, Rob McElhenney, and Natalie Portman have made shrude business deals by investing in football. Their star power and influence have been infused into clubs like Wrexham FC and Angel City FC.
US Sports Correspondent Simon Evans told FOOTBALL NOW the importance of stars like Tom Brady and JJ Watt investing in football, raises brand awareness and opens doors to new markets.
"You have a club like Burnley, with American owners, not particularly high-profile people. Not well-known in the United States, but they wanted their club to have a higher exposure in the United States," Simon explained.
The motivations behind celebrity investments in football can differ. Some seem driven by a genuine love for the sport and a desire to contribute positively to communities. While others view football clubs as lucrative assets for financial growth.
However, celebrity investors' impact on women's football goes beyond financial backing. Their involvement reshapes the narrative, fostering growth and engagement in the football clubs they invest in. Angel City FC is a prime example of a football club spearheaded by a majority female-led board that is cultivating a culture of gender equality.
Football's future is full of promise. The convergence of celebrity and sports synergy paves the way for innovation, inclusivity, and global expansion, ensuring that the game remains as captivating as ever.