Originally Posted by
Excargodog
The Finns were never really “neutral” even during their time as nominal USSR allies. Although the Finns-Soviet treaty of 1948 put them in the Soviet sphere of influence and even gave them Soviet “advisors” for their summer training exercises, they routinely did low key training with NATO member Norway in the winter when the Soviet Advisors generally refused to come out to play. Practicing taking out Soviet advisors if the balloon really did go up was generally one of the wintertime joint exercises.
Jared Diamond of Guns Germs and Steel fame had a good chapter in his follow up book:
“ Upheaval: Turning Points for Nations in Crisis” about Finland, their Civil War, the Winter War, and how they dealt with the Soviet Union which could have completely crushed them.
Unique language and culture, unity during/after the Winter War, awareness that maintaining close economic ties with the USSR even if the west was better, and refusing to join NATO all played a part in not just their survival, but ability to thrive in a tough spot.
IDK. Times change. If the US “pivots to Asia”, NATO is going to be second tier.