Politicians should come up with better reasons if they want Finland to be part of the NATO headquarters in Norfolk.
Finland the government experienced its first bitter NATO disappointment as soon as Finland was accepted as a member of the military alliance. Contrary to Finland's wish, the alliance's military leadership was not enthusiastic about the idea of placing Finland in its command structure where the Finns wanted.
NATO's command structure has three so-called joint operations command levels, from which NATO forces are led. One of these is in Norfolk, USA, the second is in Brunssum, the Netherlands, and the third is in Naples, Italy.
Finnish politicians wanted and still want Finland across the sea under the Norfolk staff. However, NATO offers Brunssum.
The first NATO lesson for Finnish politicians was that NATO does not exist for Finland. NATO's defense planning is built for the common defense of all members.
Finland tends to Norfolk because Finns feel safer in America's arms. We hope that if Norway is in Norfolk, why not Finland and Sweden as well. They say that all the Nordic countries should belong to the same staff.
The idea sounds good, but it's not enough. It's not a military justification. Finland must belong to the staff that is most useful when the bell strikes – when men and women are called to arms.
Former Chief of the General Staff Markko Koli reminded on Wednesday in Community Service X that the main task of the Norfolk headquarters is not to lead a ground war in Europe.
Its mission is to protect the North Atlantic so that American aid can be brought to Europe through it after the outbreak of the Great War. That's enough work.
The inclusion of Norway under Norfolk is therefore self-evident. Norway is central to the protection of the North Atlantic. Finland is not, and neither is Sweden.
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Pohjola's fort sounds good.
The best picture of the current needs of NATO's defense plans lies with the alliance's military leadership. That's why Brunssum.
The most special thing about this Norfolk drug has been that it started even before Finnish soldiers had access to see NATO's most secret defense plans.
Obviously, many Finnish decision-makers want to go to Norfolk against their better knowledge. The fortress of Pohjola sounds so good in the speeches.
NATO is currently revamping its leadership system and defense plans.
The future NATO membership of Finland and Sweden will inevitably change the alliance's old defense plans for Northern Europe. It is quite possible that there will be major changes in NATO's command structure.
The Norfolk dream will therefore remain alive.
The author is a reporter for HS who follows defense and security policy.
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