Sweden¡¯s entry into NATO can help solve a critical problem for military planners mapping out the alliance¡¯s defenses against a potential Russian attack: how to rapidly shuttle troops, weapons and other provisions to a front anywhere from the Baltic to the Arctic.

After months of delays, the green light for Sweden¡¯s membership means the Nordic nation can finally be woven into the North Atlantic Treaty Organization¡¯s intricate defense plans, which designate Russia as a primary threat.

The move is more pressing with Russian troops starting to advance in Ukraine again. With Russian President Vladimir Putin¡¯s expansionist ambitions apparent, European officials have started warning about the prospect of an attack on NATO within the next few years.