Part 3/11:
Reflecting on recent history, the optimism following the collapse of the Soviet Union led many European governments to deem defense spending unnecessary. With the belief in the infallibility of NATO's U.S. leadership, military investments dwindled. Countries like Sweden—even those with peaceful histories—saw their defenses diminish significantly. The wake-up call for many arrived only after the shocking annexation of Crimea by Russia, and the subsequent full-scale invasion of Ukraine jolted national leaders into action. Today, Sweden's civil defense capabilities have seen considerable improvements, yet challenges remain, especially given past failures to allocate necessary funds and coordinated planning when urgency demanded it.