Macmillan Academic and Professional Ltd 1991

This book discusses how Finland sought security through defence from 1944 to 1989, explaining how it dealt with the Soviet military threat while pursuing a policy of reconciliation with this former enemy. Although the traditional view of the Soviet Union as the most likely enemy persisted amongst some in the military establishment, Finland adopted a policy of neutrality, convincing the West as well as the Soviet Union that it would not tolerate anyone using its territory or air space for military purposes.