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In 2022, Zachary Selden wrote “Will Finland and Sweden Joining NATO Deepen the Alliance’s Problems?” where he argued that their membership was likely to exacerbate tensions in the alliance. In the wake of their accession, we invited Zachary back to reflect on his article.Read more below.In your 2022 article “Will Finland and Sweden Joining NATO Deepen the Alliance’s Problems?” you argue that the two countries bring more financial and military assets to the alliance than many previously inducted states. Have their contributions lived up to the high standards you originally believed? Finland and Sweden came into the alliance as sophisticated military powers, but neither are sitting back now that they are members. Both are ramping up defense spending and building capabilities. Finland is increasing its defense spending this year by about 5 percent to 2.3 percent of GDP. Sweden added $2.6 billion to its defense budget in 2024 and plans to make additional increases in the next two years. As expected, the new allies were rapidly integrated. It has been a smooth process because both states were already cooperating closely with NATO. Their expertise in the regional challenges is a net gain for the alliance. Sweden, for example, is clearly valued by NATO Maritime Command for its expertise in dealing with near-constant Russian intrusion into its waters in the Baltic. You also wrote that the new members could shift NATO’s priority slightly more toward the Arctic region. What have been the changes in the alliance’s Arctic defense, if any, since Finland and Sweden came on board? Finland is taking on an unspecified new NATO land forces command, which is logical given its long border with Russia. That border extends into the Arctic and is close to significant Russian bases that are being upgraded. NATO has an existing interest in the high north and that can