Hesitant as a non-native to post this here but didn’t know where else. Delete it if it’s unwarranted.
I’ve seen discussion that Finland may be considering NATO membership. There has been concern that Russia may invade during an application process. It is unlikely NATO would agree to defend an applicant.
There is a pretty easy way to resolve this that I haven’t seen discussed, just secure a [US tripwire force.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tripwire_force#:~:text=A%20tripwire%20force%20is%20a,mount%20a%20sustained%20resistance%20itself) This is what is stationed in places like Korea. Just make the tripwire active until a membership decision is reached.
The US makes up the *vast majority* of NATOs military capability. When joining NATO you’re really asking for US defense. [For an example of the top 5 airforces in the world, 4 of them are US branches](https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/largest-air-forces-in-the-world). If US forces make you uncomfortable you could also appeal to Britain, France, or Turkey, as they would (maybe?) be good enough. Every other military would be a bit of a joke to Russia.
As an extra tidbit, Russia doesn’t usually fight wars like they’ve been fighting in Ukraine. They have been really really restrained (and generally bad but that’s for another day). Our best guess is they genuinely thought they’d be treated as liberators. If/when they switch to their doctrine approach you’ll see a marked shift (which may have already happened).
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> It is unlikely NATO would agree to defend an applicant.
Do you have a source for this? I don’t really know much about the NATO application process, but the talking points over the past months have notably included the mention that Finland would need to be covered by article 5 during the application process to make the application in any way a sane political decision.
> as they would (maybe?) be good enough.
I’m quite sure our own military makes up for the best forces to fight in our own territory in comparison to small detachments from other nations. What sort of numbers would a tripwire force amass to make it worthwhile?
President Niinisto will be meeting with President Biden in Washington, D.C. tomorrow. I am sure they will discuss Finland’s possible NATO application for membership. I am an American whose ancestry is Finnish. My great grandparents were all born in Finland, and I hope Finland joins NATO, because people here in political circles believe Putin has become totally unhinged. I heard today that Russian fighter jets have been flying into Swedish airspace, also.