Politics / Sweden Sweden to Knight Blinken for His NATO Role Honors recognize efforts in Sweden's NATO membership process By Newser.AI Read our AI policy Posted Oct 22, 2024 2:08 PM CDT Copied Secretary of State Antony Blinken, right, speaks with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a meeting, July 9, 2024, at the State Department in Washington. (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough, file) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg are set to be knighted in Sweden for their significant contributions to Sweden's successful bid to join NATIO. Former Finnish leaders Sanna Marin and Pekka Haavisto will also receive the Royal Order of the Polar Star, an honor bestowed on non-Swedish citizens for outstanding service to Swedish interests. "The awards are an expression of our great gratitude for the efforts of these people," Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Tuesday. Sweden's NATO membership concludes its long-standing tradition of non-alignment post-World War II; it joined nearly a year after Finland did. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP) < > 20 Years After Tsunami, 'Baby 81' Speaks Out Dec 24, 2024 8:00 PM CST Colombian Drug Lord Fabio Ochoa Returns Home Dec 24, 2024 4:00 AM CST North Carolina Officer Killed in Supermarket Shooting Dec 24, 2024 2:45 AM CST Biden Signs Defense Bill Despite Transgender Care Ban Dec 24, 2024 2:04 AM CST Bethlehem Faces Quiet Christmas Amid Continuing Conflict Dec 23, 2024 1:45 AM CST 'Caitlin Clark Effect' Hasn't Reversed Girls' Basketball Decline Dec 23, 2024 1:15 AM CST Secret Passage for Medici Family Reopens After Restoration Dec 23, 2024 12:45 AM CST Pope Francis Urges Global Ceasefire Dec 23, 2024 12:15 AM CST Report an error