Defense expert: The NATO Sweden joined is already dead

The NATO that Sweden joined two years ago is "definitely dead," according to defense analyst Carlo Masala. He argues that while the U.S. has not abandoned NATO, it has "significantly weakened" the alliance and sent a "devastating" signal to Russia.

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The window is open for Russia to test NATO.

Masala, a professor of international politics at the German Armed Forces University in Munich, stated that the U.S. made it clear in February that it would no longer be the primary guarantor of Europe's conventional security. "The window is open for Russia to test NATO," he warned, suggesting that in the "new NATO," European countries can only "hope for some form of support" from the U.S., which will likely not participate or take a leading role in Europe's defense.

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You joined the old NATO, and the old NATO is definitely dead.

Despite recent reassurances from U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who praised Sweden as an "exemplary ally" at a meeting in Helsingborg, Masala remains skeptical. He noted that while the alliance has faced disagreements before, there was always a certainty that the U.S. would come to Europe's aid in a crisis. "That is over now," he declared.

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Definitely not. The U.S. made it clear already in February that the country will no longer be the primary guarantor of Europe's conventional security.

Masala's frank assessment comes despite his position within a government-funded institution. "I simply say what I think," he asserted. He acknowledged that as long as Europe depends on U.S. resources within NATO and lacks alternatives, maintaining good relations with the U.S. is the correct strategy. However, he cautioned against believing the U.S. will stand by its commitments.

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I simply say what I think.