Are we supposed to be impressed with a general from a neutral country?
I'm not sure if we're supposed to "impressed" with him. I just know that I'm more inclined to trust him over any Democrat or Republican president we've had in the last in that last 20 some years.
What's neutrality got to do with competence or honesty? The Swedes, along with the Swiss, have long been neutral, (less time for the Swedes, IIRC). But being neutral doesn't mean they are pacifists. Both have universal military service, with large reserve establishments, and the Swedes equipment is technally on a par with that produced by Germany, Britain and France, better in some areas. The Swiss Militia system served as model for that of the United States during the early years of our Republic. They've kept theirs up, we haven't. They send a full auto assault home with every reservist, and virtually every male is a reservist. (Officer and NCOs only get pistols IIRC, although they are free to buy their own AR if they want)
Bill Clinton and Madeline Albright, the prototypical "Ugly Americans"