Thread by @CorporalFrisk

Au contraire, as Finland has built the armed forces around conscripts and reservists, the politicians need to be honest with the fact that if we see a large war where #NATO rush to defend a member, we don't have a second defence force for the defence of others. #turpo=#säkpol

https://twitter.com/HarrietLonka/status/1521092050183151616

Of course, for situations where Finland's contribution is limited in size and scope, the idea argued by @charlyjsp of having a dedicated high-readiness battalion-sized unit of volunteer reservists on standby is a nice fit, and that answers all situations #NATO has faced so far.

But we still need to be clear that we are preparing for the worst, and in those cases there should be no hesitation among the other members whether Finland will show up or not, just as we expect the full force of the other members to assist our defence if need be.

I am also somewhat surprised about the lack of clear signaling in this case from the political leadership, even if my expectation on *what* the message need to be is different from @charlyjsp. #turpo=#säkpol

https://twitter.com/charlyjsp/status/1522455004514336770?s=20&t=8u5iFV11mshtU3CFuOttgg

"...will assist the Party or Parties so attacked by taking forthwith, individually and in concert with the other Parties, such action as it deems necessary, including the use of armed force, to restore and maintain the security of the North Atlantic area."

*If* Turkey is attacked by Iraq or Iran, and *if* it is deemed necessary to send a large Finnish force over there, it should be obvious that that might include wartime units mobilised from the reserve. Is that a likely scenario? No, but it is a scenario.

If we aren't prepared to sign that paper, perhaps then we shouldn't, but then we are looking really hypocritical if we expect Italian sons and daughters to come here and die for our freedom.

The bottom line is that the common strength of the alliance makes it unlikely that any of our soldiers - volunteers or otherwise - will have to fight (and die) in either a foreign land or at home, but that paradox rests on us being ready to do so if need be.