Sami Reindeer Herding Advocated for Inclusion in Sweden's Total Defense System
Sami reindeer herders are proposed for inclusion in Sweden's total defense system as observers.
Key Points
- • Sami institutions propose reindeer herders' inclusion in the total defense system as observers.
- • Matti Blind Berg emphasizes the need for local monitoring due to rising security threats.
- • Carl Bildt's intelligence reform proposal faces criticism from security experts.
- • Säpo warns of security risks related to personal issues such as divorces.
In a significant move towards integrating indigenous communities into national defense strategies, several Sami institutions are proposing the inclusion of reindeer herders into Sweden’s total defense system. This initiative aims for Sami herders to serve as critical observers in border areas, a recommendation supported by Matti Blind Berg, chairman of the Swedish Sami National Federation. He emphasizes the need for “eyes and ears on the ground” to enhance monitoring in the region, drawing inspiration from his experiences with a home guard organization in Canada.
The proposal comes amid heightened national security concerns, and it has sparked a broader debate on Sweden's defense capabilities. Johan Wiktorin, a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of War Sciences, has criticized a related proposal by former Prime Minister Carl Bildt, which suggests a sweeping reorganization of Sweden’s intelligence system. Wiktorin argues that such changes could be perilous given the current geopolitical climate, citing a rising threat level.
Sweden’s Security Police (Säpo) also adds urgency to the discussion, cautioning that personal issues like divorces can pose unexpected security risks, potentially opening up opportunities for spies to exploit vulnerabilities for sensitive information access. This warning underscores the increasing incidents that Säpo is handling, indicating a growing hybrid threat landscape facing Sweden.
Charlotte von Essen, the head of Säpo, has recently stressed the importance of awareness in addressing these threats, reinforcing the need for comprehensive strategies in national security that could include innovative community-oriented approaches like those proposed for the Sami.