[DesScorp]

I think the EU overall is a horrible idea, but I’ve always thought that a Nordic Confederation (not a union, not a Federal government... a voluntary, quit-if-you-want-to confederation) of Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and possibly, Finland, made a lot of sense, because of similarities in culture. I would say similarities in language, but Finnish is way out there on the language tree, nowhere close to the other Nordic languages.

With Sweden’s industrial base, and experience building fighters and military equipment, they could take the lead and split production and costs among the other Nordic nations. Get Germany involved too, and you’ve got a regional superpower without the EU “multi-cultural” baggage. Russia would certainly have to respect an alliance like that.

[mamelukesabre]

I’ve always wondered why the UK and scandinavian countries, along with iceland and greenland...didn’t tell the EU to take a long walk off a short pier.

The UK+nords=power

Probably even get canada to join that economic bloc.

[Toliy]

“Balto-Scandia” was an idea tentatively considered by the inter-war foreign ministries of Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in the early 1920s. Nothing came of it, though, and each nation ended up signing a separate peace with the young Soviet Union. I hope those countries are re-reading their history, though.

[Wiz]

It’s also a surprise rather close in terms of culture, with the Estonians.

[Tailback]

Get Germany involved too, and you’ve got a regional superpower without the EU “multi-cultural” baggage. Russia would certainly have to respect an alliance like that.

You mean like the 5th Volunteer SS Panzer Grenadier division "Wiking"?

I like your idea minus the German component. Honestly, the Germans seem like a bunch of sissy pacificts now, but scratch the surface and there's a goose stepping nationalist underneath.