Geopolitical tensions and Sweden’s recent accession to NATO have reignited discussions about nuclear weapons. For a long time, Sweden has projected itself as a peaceful nation, emphasizing its long peace since the 18th century. However, this image doesn’t fully reflect Sweden’s military involvement in recent conflicts, such as those in Afghanistan and Libya. While Sweden has avoided large-scale warfare, it has not been entirely pacifist, particularly during the Cold War when it maintained a powerful air force and explored the possibility of developing nuclear weapons. Sweden’s interest in nuclear technology began shortly after World War II, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Japan. In 1948, Swedish defense officials asked the National Defence Research Institute (FOA) to investigate the feasibility of producing atomic bombs. By the 1950s, FOA, supported by the state-owned AB Atomenergi, had made significant progress in understanding nuclear reactions and bomb design. Although Sweden never built a nuclear weapon, historians argue that it reached a "latent" capability—meaning it had the technical knowledge and infrastructure to do so if it had secured the necessary materials like weapons-grade plutonium. Sweden’s push for nuclear weapons was driven by a need for deterrence. As a small country surrounded by a powerful Soviet Union, Sweden saw nuclear weapons as a way to balance the strategic imbalance. By the late 1950s, military leaders and even parts of the political establishment supported the idea. However, opposition grew from social groups, peace activists, and even some government officials who questioned the morality and practicality of nuclear deterrence. Critics pointed out that using nuclear weapons would likely provoke retaliation, creating a dangerous cycle of escalation. By the 1960s, international dynamics shifted. Arms control talks gained momentum, and the United States discouraged nuclear proliferation. Additionally, informal assurances from the U.S. reduced Sweden’s need for its own nuclear weapons. As a result, the program was abandoned, and Sweden joined the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty in 1968. Today, Sweden’s security landscape has changed dramatically, especially after its 2024 NATO membership following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Sweden now participates in NATO’s nuclear deterrence strategy, which includes planning for nuclear weapons use as a deterrent. The government is building expertise in nuclear matters, reminiscent of Cold War-era efforts. While Sweden has no plans to develop its own nuclear weapons, the question of whether NATO might station nuclear weapons on Swedish soil remains a sensitive topic. Though not currently on the table, history shows that such a decision could spark public debate and political controversy once again.