Michael Claesson

General Michael Claesson, Chief of Defense of the Swedish Armed Forces, discusses Sweden's military transformation following NATO membership. He shares insights on modernizing, consolidating, and expanding Sweden's defense capabilities across land, sea, and air. Claesson highlights lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict, particularly in adapting strategic operations and enhancing technology. He also emphasizes fostering the next generation of military leaders and the importance of innovative defense practices to meet contemporary security challenges.

Michael Claesson, Oberbefehlshaber der schwedischen Streitkräfte, gibt Einblicke in Schwedens Verteidigungsstrategie nach über 200 Jahren Neutralität. Er erläutert die Defensive gegen Russland und den Beitritt zur NATO, betont die Rolle Schwedens beim Schutz der Ostsee und den Wiederaufbau der Wehrpflicht. Claesson spricht auch über die Unterstützung der Ukraine und die Notwendigkeit, europäische Waffenproduktionen zu stärken. Die gesellschaftliche Akzeptanz der Wehrpflicht und das Konzept der Totalverteidigung werden ebenfalls diskutiert.

Europe has come to grips with a new reality, ushered in by the Trump administration: Europe needs to commit more resources to its own security. That's according to Sweden's Chief of Defense, General Michael Claesson. In this sit-down with Mary Louise Kelly, Claesson unpacks the NATO alliance from a European military perspective -- and also weighs in on the wars in Ukraine and Iran. Email the show at sourcesandmethods@npr.orgNPR+ supporters hear every episode without sponsor messages and unlock access to our complete archive. Sign up at plus.npr.org.To manage podcast ad preferences, review the links below:See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoicesNPR Privacy Policy

Michael Claesson, Sveriges överbefälhavare, bedömer Europas kapacitet att försvara sig själva i ljuset av ökade hot. Magnus Christiansson, expert på Nato och Östersjöregionen, diskuterar utmaningar kring försvarsbudgetar och den förändrade dynamiken i NATO. Pernilla Trägårdh belyser hur handelsavtal kan förstärka Europas säkerhet och krisberedskap. Samtalet tar även upp flaskhalsar som hindrar uppbyggnaden av ett starkt europeiskt försvar och vikten av strategisk autonomi i globala relationer.

Jacob Ward, tech journalist and podcaster, analyzes a landmark verdict reshaping social platform design. Michael Claesson, Sweden's chief of defense, offers a military view on Iran, NATO, and strains on support for Ukraine. Tammy Duckworth, U.S. senator and combat veteran, discusses national security, opposition to extra war funding, and DHS funding standoffs. They tackle diplomacy, military moves, and tech liability.