The Aland Islands, Finland’s 600-square-mile self-governing archipelago stretching across the middle of the Baltic Sea.
Photographer: Danielle Bochove/BloombergWill ‘Finland’s Achilles Heel’ Become a Problem for Europe?
The Aland Islands are variously described as the lock to Finland, a pistol pointed at Sweden, and a beacon of peace.
On a boat weaving through the Aland Islands in late April, coastguard officer Kim Westman was on the lookout for anything out of the ordinary.
And like nearly every patrol since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine some two years ago, Westman found nothing of serious concern to report. But the serenity belies growing concerns over a crucial maritime gateway and shipping routes worth $160 billion a year.