Sweden: Rebuilding Total Defense

Join Carl-Oskar Bohlin, Sweden's Minister of Civil Defence, and Hoover Senior Fellow, H.R. McMaster, as they discuss Sweden's approach to civil defense, Nordic-Baltic security cooperation, and how Sweden is strengthening NATO to improve deterrence in the High North.

Bolin discusses how Sweden is rebuilding its total defense system after decades of dismantlement, drawing lessons from Ukraine to strengthen civil preparedness, cyber and information defenses, critical infrastructure, and supply-chain resilience. He also discusses Sweden’s efforts to make deterrence credible across the whole of society and how citizens, government agencies, and the private sector can contribute to national resilience and preparedness.

ABOUT THE GUEST SPEAKER

Carl-Oskar Bohlin has served as Sweden's Minister for Civil Defence since 2022. Bohlin has been a member of Sweden’s Parliament, the Riksdag, since 2010 and completed law courses at Uppsala University. As Minister for Civil Defence, he plays a central role in strengthening Sweden's resilience against both natural and man-made threats, and holds the distinction of being Sweden's first Minister for Civil Defence since 1947—reflecting the country's renewed and urgent emphasis on comprehensive national security.