A View from Sixty Degrees North
Things look a little different up here.
Hello- I’m Peter Rybski, a retired U.S. Navy Commander who has been living in Finland since 2017.
From this vantage point- just North of Sixty Degrees Latitude and about 100 miles from the Russian border- things just look a little different than they do inside the Beltway, in Norfolk, or even in London. In my writings, which I hope to put out weekly, I will focus on the following topics:
Security Policy and Military Capability: Geography and history drive Finnish security policy. Consider the 830-mile land border with Russia and it seems evident why Finland maintains 100% male conscription (women can volunteer) and a large military reserve. Even a short ferry ride through thousands of islands off the coast demonstrates why Finland makes some of the most terrifying bottom influence mines. Reflecting on Finland’s experience in the Winter War of 1939-1940, in which Finland received no help from allies, one can understand why Finland insists on maintaining its own highly capable defense forces.
This map gives a good perspective on the Finnish-Russian border, but undersells the Finnish archipelago. Icebreakers, Arctic Shipping, and Arctic Policy: The harsh winters, in which every port freezes, explains why Finland is the world leader in the design and manufacture of icebreakers. These vessels serve not only in the Baltic Sea, but in the tough conditions of Arctic and Antarctic waters. This icebreaking expertise is especially relevant as the U.S. struggles to build a fleet (or even one ship) capable of operating in Polar Ice.
Helsinki Harbor, iced over in March 2018. Finnish icebreaker MSV Nordica. Lessons from History: As an amateur historian, my detailed reading and study of the past (focused right now on the U.S. Navy in WW2) continually shows how we paid a dear price, learned from the experience, taught what was learned to great effect, and then forgot it sometime between 1945 and today. Here, the three wars of World War 2 (The Winter War, Continuation War, and Lapland War) cast a long shadow over current policies.
A small portion of my bookshelf. Volumes I, VI, and VII of Morison’s History are “checked out for use.” Everyday Life in Finland: As we raise our children here, many of the differences in the Finnish mindset have become clear in education, health care, and the general provision of government services. Finland is not what we expected and is certainly not like many of my American friends believe it to be.
Ice hockey, skating, and skiing on a frozen lake in Finland.
Thanks for reading. I look forward to putting out my first topical post next week.
If there is a particular subject that you’d like me to cover, or question that you’d like me to answer, just let me know.
A View From Sixty Degrees North is free today, but feel free to buy be a beer or a cup of coffee if you happen to be to Finland.