"Sweden Ends Neutrality: Officially Joins NATO After Decades"

Swedish troops participate in a NATO military exercise after the country's recent entry into the alliance, marking a significant shift from its two centuries of non-alignment. The move, prompted by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has been described as "worth the wait" by Swedish troops, who have long been close partners with NATO. The membership is seen as opening up a "new era" in defense cooperation in the Nordic region, with Sweden's strategic location and capabilities being valued by NATO amid rising tensions with Russia.