Introduction to Finland’s Security Situation

Finland, a country with a unique security situation due to its geography and border with Russia, is preparing for potential threats with a strong military presence. The country shares a 1,000 km border with Russia and is located near the Baltic Sea, where NATO and Russia have clashed. Finland’s history and past experiences have led to a constant preparedness for crisis and war, despite being considered one of the happiest countries on Earth.

Arctic Warfare Training

A journalist joined Finnish troops in a military base in the frozen north to understand the country’s preparations and mindset. The training involved learning about fighting in the high north, including dressing in layers of specialized clothing and participating in live combat exercises in the snow. The journalist also attended a briefing about Arctic Forge, a large-scale military exercise involving the US, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Finland.

Military Exercises and Simulations

The exercise involved a simulated battle between a “blue team” of Finnish, American, and Canadian troops defending their territory, and a “red team” of Finnish soldiers acting as invaders. The simulation aimed to mimic real warfare as closely as possible, with wooden-tipped blanks, tank deployments, artillery cannons, and surveillance drones with thermal cameras. The troops also engaged in a firefight, which they won within 20 minutes, capturing American army troops who were training with Arctic war experts.

Finland’s History and Culture

Finland was ruled by Sweden and then annexed by the Russian Empire in the 1800s, which attempted to suppress Finnish culture. However, Finland declared independence during the Russian revolution in the early 1900s and emerged as an independent country after a bitter civil war. The Soviet Union still sought to reclaim the land, but soon found itself competing with the growing Nazi empire, leading to a pact between Stalin and Hitler that would eventually influence the fate of Finland.

Winter War and World War II

Finland was invaded by the Soviet Union in 1939, but despite being outnumbered and outgunned, the Finnish army fought back using their knowledge of the terrain and guerrilla tactics, allowing them to maintain their independence in the Winter War. Although they lost territory, they were able to regain some of it when Germany broke the spheres of influence agreement with the Soviets and Finland saw an opportunity to win back strategic land.

Finland’s Security Mindset

Finland’s history has had a lasting impact on Finnish culture, and the country’s conscription policy contributes to a collective memory and shared experience among its people, making them concerned but not afraid of their eastern neighbor. The country has a unique approach to defense, which includes using saunas as a diplomatic tool, and has maintained peace with the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Even after the Soviet Union fell, Finland remained vigilant and continued its military preparedness.

Joining NATO and Current Security Situation

Finland’s decades-long tightrope walk of non-alignment was shaken by Russia’s attack on Ukraine, leading to a shift in public opinion, with support for joining NATO rising to over 80%. This ultimately resulted in Finland, along with Sweden, joining the alliance in April 2023, marking an end to their non-alignment policy and diplomatic balancing act with Russia. Finland’s decision to join NATO was seen as necessary to guarantee freedom and feel protected, especially after Russia’s attack on Ukraine.

Preparedness and Civilian Infrastructure

Finland’s preparedness stretches into all sectors of life, including civilian infrastructure. The country has a massive underground bunker system, with over 5,500 independent shelters providing protection for approximately 900,000 people. This unique feature sets Finland apart and may contribute to its citizens being considered the happiest in the world. The bunkers are designed to protect citizens from flying objects and shrapnel, with features like pressure walls and chemical doors to absorb and deflect weapon effects.

Emergency Preparedness and Community

Finland prioritizes emergency preparedness, with most citizens taking courses and classes, and a strong sense of community where people protect each other through shared commitments and values. The country’s high ranking as the happiest country is attributed to various factors, including a sense of collective belonging and unity, possibly due to the country’s preparedness and training for emergencies, as well as its abundance and social cohesion.

Conclusion

Finland’s unique security situation, history, and culture have led to a constant preparedness for crisis and war. The country’s approach to defense, including its military preparedness and civilian infrastructure, has contributed to its citizens being considered the happiest in the world. Finland’s decision to join NATO has marked a new era in its security policy, and the country remains vigilant and prepared for any potential threats.

Grammatical Structures in the Activity

Passive voice: “Finland was ruled by Sweden and then annexed by the Russian Empire”
Conditional tense: “If Finland were to join NATO, it would mark a new era in its security policy”
Subjunctive mood: “It is necessary that Finland join NATO to guarantee its freedom and security”
Relative clauses: “The country, which has a unique security situation, is preparing for potential threats”
Participial phrases: “Having joined NATO, Finland has marked a new era in its security policy”
Infinitive phrases: “To guarantee its freedom and security, Finland has decided to join NATO”
Causal relationships: “Because of its history and culture, Finland has a unique approach to defense”
Comparative and superlative forms: “Finland is one of the happiest countries in the world, with a strong sense of collective belonging and unity”

Key Vocabulary

Term	Definition	Example Usage
Non-alignment	A policy of not taking sides in international conflicts or alliances.	Finland’s decades-long non-alignment policy was shaken by Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
Conscription	A system where citizens are required to serve in the military for a certain period.	Finland’s conscription policy contributes to a collective memory and shared experience among its people.
Guerrilla tactics	Unconventional warfare methods used by a smaller force against a larger, more conventional enemy.	The Finnish army used guerrilla tactics to fight back against the Soviet Union during the Winter War.
Arctic warfare	Military operations conducted in the Arctic region, requiring specialized training and equipment.	Finland’s military conducts Arctic warfare training to prepare for potential threats in the region.
NATO	The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, a military alliance between North American and European countries.	Finland joined NATO in April 2023, marking a new era in its security policy.
Collective defense	A mutual defense agreement between countries, where an attack on one member is considered an attack on all.	Finland’s membership in NATO provides a collective defense agreement with other member countries.
Civilian infrastructure	The physical structures and systems that support a country’s civilian population, such as roads, bridges, and buildings.	Finland’s civilian infrastructure includes a massive underground bunker system to protect its citizens.
Emergency preparedness	The state of being prepared to respond to and manage emergency situations, such as natural disasters or attacks.	Finland prioritizes emergency preparedness, with most citizens taking courses and classes to prepare for potential threats.
Collective belonging	A sense of shared identity and community among individuals or groups.	Finland’s high ranking as the happiest country is attributed to its sense of collective belonging and unity among its citizens.
Social cohesion	The bonds that hold a community together, including social relationships, trust, and shared values.	Finland’s social cohesion is strong, with a sense of community and shared commitments among its citizens.

Watch The Video

Inside the Most Prepared Country on Earth

Vocabulary Quiz

1. Which word means ‘a situation where a country is not officially allied with any other country or group of countries’?

A) Alignment
B) Non-alignment
C) Alliance
D) Diplomacy

2. What does the term ‘guerrilla tactics’ refer to in the context of Finland’s history?

A) Conventional warfare methods
B) Unconventional warfare methods used by a smaller group against a larger one
C) Diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts peacefully
D) Economic sanctions to pressure an opponent

3. What is the term for ‘a network of underground shelters designed to protect people from harm’?

A) Bunker system
B) Civilian infrastructure
C) Military base
D) Emergency response system

4. What does ‘collective memory’ mean in the context of Finland’s culture and history?

A) A shared experience or set of memories among a group of people
B) A personal memory that is unique to an individual
C) A historical event that is forgotten over time
D) A cultural tradition that is passed down through generations

5. What is the term for ‘a type of military exercise where a simulated battle is fought between two teams’?

A) Live combat exercise
B) Military simulation
C) War game
D) Arctic Forge

Answer Key:

1. B
2. B
3. A
4. A
5. B

Grammar Focus

Grammar Focus: Conditional Tense

The conditional tense is used to express hypothetical or uncertain situations and their potential consequences. It is often used in sentences that include words like “if” or “wish.” For example, in the sentence “If Finland were to join NATO, it would mark a new era in its security policy,” the conditional tense is used to describe a hypothetical situation and its potential outcome. The conditional tense can be formed using the past perfect tense of the verb “to be” (were) + the base form of the main verb, or using the conditional auxiliary verbs “would” or “could” + the base form of the main verb. This grammar point is relevant to the text as it discusses Finland’s decision to join NATO and the potential consequences of this decision.

Grammar Quiz:

Choose the correct answer for each question:

1. If Finland _______ NATO, it would have been a member of the alliance for years.

A) joins

B) had joined

C) were to join

D) will join

2. By the time Finland _______ NATO, it had already been preparing for membership for years.

A) joins

B) will have joined

C) has joined

D) had joined

3. If Finland _______ more about NATO, it might have joined the alliance earlier.

A) knew

B) knows

C) had known

D) were to know

4. Finland _______ a member of NATO if it had not been for the country’s history and culture.

A) would be

B) is

C) was

D) would have been

5. If Russia _______ Ukraine, Finland might not have decided to join NATO.

A) does not attack

B) had not attacked

C) will not attack

D) attacks

Answer Key:

1. C) were to join

2. D) had joined

3. C) had known

4. D) would have been

5. B) had not attacked