Finland became NATO’s 31st member on Tuesday, marking a major shift in Europe’s security landscape and a setback for Russia's Vladimir Putin. Until late last week, Turkey had maintained a block on Finland’s membership bid, and is still keeping Sweden - which is also seeking NATO membership - in limbo. Expert Max Bergmann joins Thanos Davelis to explain why this moment is significant for NATO, how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has revitalized the transatlantic alliance and the the US presence in Europe, and look at what Turkey's obstructionist position in NATO - whether it’s blocking Sweden’s membership bid, its ties to Russia, or its threats and provocations in the Aegean - means for the alliance in the long term.

Max Bergmann is the director of the Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Stuart Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). He has also served in the State Department in a number of different positions, including as a member of the secretary of state’s policy planning staff.

Read Max Bergman’s latest in Foreign Affairs here: Why European Defense Still Depends on America

You can read the articles we discuss on our podcast here:

Nato's border with Russia doubles as Finland joins

Finland joins NATO, doubling military alliance’s border with Russia in a blow for Putin

Explainer: After Finland joins NATO, why is Turkey making Sweden wait?

Turkey is the headache NATO needs

Greece, Turkey say communication channels must be kept open

Moscow hosts talks aimed at Syria-Turkey rapprochement