Swedish command of the Baltic had allowed the state to concentrate on land battles while relying on maritime communications. Russian naval growth forced Sweden to sustain land operations and defend those sea routes at the same time. In this interpretation, that additional burden helped weaken Sweden's position as a great power. The Mediterranean in World War II offers a parallel: opposing east-west and north-south convoy movements crossed the same waters and threatened one another.
Notable Point · 6:11-7:30
Contested sea routes strain Sweden's great-power position
Russian competition turns Sweden's secure maritime routes into waters it must defend while continuing its land campaigns.