Why does Finland still rely on conscription? And what can Australia learn from it?

Brigadier General Jyri Raitasalo breaks down Finland’s “Total Defence” strategy, NATO’s Nordic front, and how citizen readiness can shape national security.

🎧 Watch now on The Focus with John Bruni.

 

Show Notes:

Connect with Jyri - 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyri-raitasalo-4b96bb96/

X: @JyriRaitasalo

Finnish National Defence University: https://maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu.fi/en/frontpage

Top 5 publications by Jyri:

Finnish Defense 'Left of Bang'

Published in PRISM, Vol. 10, No. 2 (2023), this article explores Finland's evolution from a Cold War-era total defence model to a comprehensive security approach. Raitasalo discusses how Finland integrates military and civilian sectors to address modern hybrid threats. NDU Press+1NDU Press+1

"Cyber Deterrence: An Oxymoron for Years to Come

Co-authored with Joshua Stowell and published in Global Security Review (2020), this article examines the challenges of establishing effective cyber deterrence. The authors contend that the lack of clear empirical evidence in cyber warfare complicates traditional deterrence models. Muck Rack+1Muck Rack+1

2. "Scandinavia Won’t Be Russia’s Next Target"

In this Foreign Policy piece (2019), Raitasalo counters claims that Russia is poised to target Scandinavian countries. He argues that Finland and Sweden's strategic positions and defence policies make them unlikely immediate targets for Russian aggression. Muck Rack+1Foreign Policy+1

5. "Hybridisota ja hybridiuhat – paljon vanhaa…onko mitään uutta?"

Published in Tiede & Ase (2018), this Finnish-language article critiques the Western narrative on hybrid warfare post-2014. Raitasalo argues that the concept of hybrid threats is not novel and reflects traditional great-power behaviours.Wikipedia+2Journal.fi+2

4. "Reconstructing Finnish Defence in the Post-Cold War Era"

This academic paper (2010) analyzes Finland's defence restructuring following the Cold War. Raitasalo discusses the shift in threat perceptions and the adaptation of defence policies to address new security challenges. Academia

Why does Finland still rely on conscription? And what can Australia learn from it?
Brigadier General Jyri Raitasalo breaks down Finland&rsquo;s &ldquo;Total Defence&rdquo; strategy, NATO&rsquo;s Nordic front, and how citizen readiness can shape national security.
🎧 Watch now on&nbsp;The Focus&nbsp;with John Bruni.
&nbsp;
Show Notes:
Connect with Jyri -&nbsp;
LinkedIn:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyri-raitasalo-4b96bb96/">https://www.linkedin.com/in/jyri-raitasalo-4b96bb96/</a>
X: @JyriRaitasalo
Finnish National Defence University:&nbsp;<a href="https://maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu.fi/en/frontpage">https://maanpuolustuskorkeakoulu.fi/en/frontpage</a>
Top 5 publications by Jyri:
Finnish Defense 'Left of Bang'
Published in&nbsp;PRISM, Vol. 10, No. 2 (2023), this article explores Finland's evolution from a Cold War-era total defence model to a comprehensive security approach. Raitasalo discusses how Finland integrates military and civilian sectors to address modern hybrid threats.&nbsp;<a href="https://ndupress.ndu.edu/PRISM/PRISM-10-2/?utm_source=chatgpt.com">NDU Press+1NDU Press+1</a>
"Cyber Deterrence: An Oxymoron for Years to Come
Co-authored with Joshua Stowell and published in&nbsp;Global Security Review&nbsp;(2020), this article examines the challenges of establishing effective cyber deterrence. The authors contend that the lack of clear empirical evidence in cyber warfare complicates traditional deterrence models.&nbsp;<a href="https://muckrack.com/jyri-raitasalo?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Muck Rack+1Muck Rack+1</a>
2.&nbsp;"Scandinavia Won&rsquo;t Be Russia&rsquo;s Next Target"
In this&nbsp;Foreign Policy&nbsp;piece (2019), Raitasalo counters claims that Russia is poised to target Scandinavian countries. He argues that Finland and Sweden's strategic positions and defence policies make them unlikely immediate targets for Russian aggression.&nbsp;<a href="https://muckrack.com/jyri-raitasalo/articles?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Muck Rack+1Foreign Policy+1</a>
5.&nbsp;"Hybridisota ja hybridiuhat &ndash; paljon vanhaa&hellip;onko mit&auml;&auml;n uutta?"
Published in&nbsp;Tiede &amp; Ase&nbsp;(2018), this Finnish-language article critiques the Western narrative on hybrid warfare post-2014. Raitasalo argues that the concept of hybrid threats is not novel and reflects traditional great-power behaviours.<a href="https://journal.fi/ta/article/view/77541/38638?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Wikipedia+2Journal.fi+2</a>
4.&nbsp;"Reconstructing Finnish Defence in the Post-Cold War Era"
This academic paper (2010) analyzes Finland's defence restructuring following the Cold War. Raitasalo discusses the shift in threat perceptions and the adaptation of defence policies to address new security challenges.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.academia.edu/67394095/Reconstructing_Finnish_defence_in_the_post_Cold_War_era?utm_source=chatgpt.com">Academia</a>

The Focus is the flagship current affairs podcast of SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical  think tank.

Hosted by Dr. John Bruni—a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media—The Focus brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for Jane’s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.

Produced by Neil Smart, The Focus cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

The Focus&nbsp;is the flagship current affairs podcast of&nbsp;SAGE International, an independent, Adelaide-based geopolitical &nbsp;think tank.
Hosted by&nbsp;Dr. John Bruni&mdash;a veteran geopolitical commentator with over 24 years in the Australian media&mdash;The Focus&nbsp;brings a critical edge to global affairs. John's expertise is built on decades of experience, including time with the&nbsp;Royal United Services Institute of Australia, work as a university lecturer, senatorial foreign affairs adviser, analyst for&nbsp;Jane&rsquo;s Intelligence Review, and Gulf-based military analyst.
Produced by&nbsp;Neil Smart,&nbsp;The Focus&nbsp;cuts through the noise of biased media to deliver sharp, informed insights into the major issues shaping Australia and the world. In an age of global disruption and complexity, knowing which questions to ask is more vital than ever.

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