Over lunch with students and faculty, General Michael Claesson shared his perspective on the major security challenges facing Sweden and Europe. He spoke candidly about the ongoing war in Ukraine, the risks posed by authoritarian regimes, and the responsibilities that come with Sweden’s new role as a NATO member.

“Hope is not a course of action,” he said, emphasizing the need for clear-eyed, strategic leadership in the face of growing uncertainty and regional instability.

The event concluded with an open Q&A session, where students engaged in discussion about defense readiness, international collaboration, and how Sweden can best navigate today’s complex security landscape.

General Claesson also underlined the importance of partnerships between the Swedish Armed Forces and academic institutions. In particular, he highlighted the value of strengthening ties with SSE to better understand the broader societal and economic dimensions of defense and resilience.

The initiative was led by GaPP research assistants Rebecca Månsson, Nora Weidel and Jens Ek Deneberg and moderated by Professor Martin Carlsson-Wall.