Leila Nezirevic
21 February 2024•Update: 21 February 2024
LONDON
Sweden raised alarms on Wednesday, claiming that the country is facing the most serious external security threats, citing "above all Russia" as well as China and Iran, which are likely to use artificial intelligence (AI) to destroy security-sensitive operations.
The Nordic country is facing a "complex" situation, and the difficult security situation will continue for a long time, Swedish Security Service (SAPO) head Charlotte von Essen said at a press conference in the capital Stockholm after unveiling an annual report on the country's security threats.
The three countries collaborate, Essen claimed, adding that "Above all Russia, but also China and Iran continue to constitute the biggest threat to Sweden, and they are working and, to a certain extent, working together to change the current security system."
She emphasized that the current security situation needed to be discussed and "normalized."
"We must all learn to live with the serious security situation," she said, warning that there is a risk that no one will notice the gradual changes and that "we will no longer have the necessary preparedness."
The deteriorating situation means "increased pressure on Swedish society," SAPO head said, adding that events in the outside world increase the threat levels.
“Foreign powers have a high capacity for various types of attacks, and we know that security-threatening activities against Sweden and Swedish interests are constantly ongoing,” she warned.
According to her, the three states are likely to increasingly use AI to destroy security-sensitive Swedish operations, and they can use violent extremists and other types of organizations and individuals as proxies to threaten Sweden.
“In connection with last year's Quran burnings, we know that foreign actors took advantage of the situation to shift the focus,” said Essen.
Last June, Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson accused the Kremlin of attempting to "hurt" Sweden by harming its international image in the wake of ongoing Quran burnings in Stockholm.
“Sweden is currently being exposed to influence campaigns supported by states and state-like players, whose very purpose is to hurt Sweden and Swedish interests,” Kristersson said while claiming that the Quran burnings in the Swedish capital “coincide with a more difficult security policy situation.”
Russia was among the first nations to condemn the Quran burnings in the Nordic country, with President Vladimir Putin referring to the attacks on the Muslim holy book as hate crimes that “would not be tolerated in Russia.”
Top officials in the country have been increasingly raising the specter of possible armed conflict with Moscow since Sweden and Finland abandoned centuries of neutrality and applied to join NATO amid Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Finland joined NATO as the 31st member last year, while Sweden's bid has yet to be approved by Hungary. According to Hungary's ruling party, Fidesz, a vote in parliament could take place as early as Monday.
