The Three Dimensions of NATO Enlargement in 2023: From the Arctic to the Black Sea and Beyond

Introduction

This paper will examine the geopolitical implications of the most recent round of NATO enlargement, which was spurred by Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine, through a three-dimensional assessment. First, we will broadly examine how NATO enlargement and the war in Ukraine have shaped the international system of alliances. Second, we will look at the strategic implications of NATO expansion in Sweden and Finland’s geographical backyard, the Arctic and the Baltic regions, and their effects on regional politics and security. Finally, we will examine how NATO expansion has impacted Türkiye, one of two members that has delayed NATO’s recent enlargement, and its strategic balancing act in the post-Ukraine world.