"Krone" commentary

Austria learns defense

Analyzed for the "Krone": foreign policy expert Kurt Seinitz(Bild: Krone KREATIV/stock.adobe.com)

Belatedly, as usual, Austria is discovering national defense. And this Austrian turning point is quite something! For 69 years, all strategic security planning had been swept away. Now one new piece of military equipment after another is being purchased. Where are the demonstration choruses "Creating peace without weapons"?

Without Putin, this fundamental change of heart would not have been possible in Austria. Now we just have to make sure that Russia doesn't feel threatened by Austria.

This challenge cup of Russophobia (= anxiety disorder) will go to Sweden tomorrow when it becomes the 32nd NATO member. Then all five Nordic countries will be in the defense alliance. No one has accused the Scandinavians of being bellicose since Viking times. But they do have common sense, which tells them that they need to insure themselves in good time.

The threat also comes from the other side, if the 30 European NATO countries suddenly find themselves without the USA. Then they would have to stand on their own two feet, which would create a Babylonian confusion of command on the issue of a European nuclear umbrella. Thankfully, Austria will be spared this.

Now that the Alpine republic has discovered national defense, it only has to learn solidarity with the European defense alliance.