When Terror is No Longer Called Terror

Sweden: A Society in Denial Amid a Wave of Violence

The mass killing that should have shaken Sweden was met with evasive language and passivity. What do the authorities fear most – the truth or the reactions?

Inaction now will lead to unavoidable consequences. (Image generated with AI in ChatGPT)

Sweden is in the midst of a wave of violence unprecedented in the Nordic region. Bombings, mass shootings, and organized gangs dominate daily life, yet the authorities' response has been characterized by avoidance and trivialization. When terror and brutality are no longer called by their proper names, a climate of denial is fostered, along with growing distrust in the state. What do the authorities fear most – the reality of the violence or the consequences of acknowledging it?

The Örebro Massacre: Why the Silence?

The school shooting in Örebro on February 4, 2025, where ten people lost their lives, is one of the worst acts of violence in Sweden's modern history. It should have been an event that united the nation in grief, sparked honest reflection, and led to decisive action. Instead, the government’s response was muted, characterized by vagueness and evasiveness. Why?

From the very first hours after the attack, it became clear that something was off in the handling of the incident. The Swedish police and government were quick to downplay the event. They described it as a "shooting tragedy" and were careful to emphasize that there was no basis to label it as terrorism. Yet details that have emerged since paint a far more serious picture. Reports indicate that the attack had clear targets, carried out with cold calculation and overwhelming force.

One must ask: Why this hesitation? Why this "soft release" of information about the worst mass killing at a Swedish school in modern history?

Read the police’s own account here... (available only in Swedish)

Fear of the Truth

It seems the authorities fear the truth about what Sweden has become. To admit that this was an act of terrorism, or that it might have political or ideological motives, would require a reckoning with how violence has been allowed to escalate to such levels. It is easier – and politically safer – to downplay the severity and treat it as an isolated tragedy rather than confront the deep societal issues underpinning it.

At the same time, one must ask: Are the authorities afraid of how the public would react if the truth were revealed? In a Sweden marked by deep divisions, gang violence, bombings, and an unparalleled wave of brutality, a more direct acknowledgment of the attack might have triggered riots, retaliations, or a political crisis. But avoiding the truth is not a solution – it is letting the wound fester in the dark.

Is Terror No Longer Terror?

The evasive language in the Örebro case fits into a pattern that has been developing over time. When a car bomb explodes outside a residential complex, it is called "public endangerment." When civilians are shot in broad daylight, it is described as a "shooting incident." When a school becomes the site of a mass killing, there is hesitation to use the word "terror."

This is not just about semantics. Language shapes reality. When terms like terrorism, ideology, or systemic failure are avoided, society is denied the ability to understand what it is facing. It creates the impression that the violence is random, isolated, and without connection, even when the opposite is glaringly obvious.

In the Context of Sweden's Wave of Violence

This soft release of information can also be seen in the context of how Sweden has dealt with the ongoing wave of violence in recent years. Bombings, mass shootings, and gang-related violence have reached levels previously unthinkable in the Nordic region. Time and again, we have seen authorities downplay the seriousness, as if admitting the situation would be a greater defeat than the violence itself.

The same hesitancy has characterized the government’s policies. The measures introduced – harsher penalties and more police on the streets – have been patchwork solutions rather than comprehensive strategies. No one has dared to tackle the underlying causes of the violence, from failed integration to weak social policies and an underfunded police force that has been deprioritized for years.

What Does This Mean for Sweden?

The Swedish state’s inability to recognize and act on the reality of violence may be the greatest threat to the country’s future. When ten people are killed in a school, and it is treated as a relatively minor event, the state loses credibility. Public trust in the authorities – already at a historic low – risks eroding completely.

The Örebro school shooting is a wake-up call. It cannot become a symbol of what happens when a society chooses denial over action. If Sweden is to have any chance of reversing this trend, the truth must come to light – no matter how uncomfortable it may be.

How Did Sweden Get Here?

How could Sweden, a country long regarded as a global model for social harmony and prosperity, end up in a situation where gang crime, bombings, and mass shootings have become everyday occurrences? The answer lies in a series of developments spanning several decades – economic, social, and political decisions that have left deep scars on Swedish society.

Economic Crisis of the 1990s: A Spiral of Inequality

Sweden was hit hard by an economic crisis in the early 1990s. Unemployment skyrocketed, and disparities between social groups increased dramatically. Low-income families – often with immigrant backgrounds – ended up in disadvantaged neighborhoods plagued by poor infrastructure, high unemployment, and reduced public presence. This laid the groundwork for what would later be known as parallel societies.

This period was a turning point. While Sweden had previously been known for minimal economic inequality and high social mobility, the economic crisis began creating enduring divisions. Unemployment hit hard, and many lost trust in the system meant to provide social security.

Failed Integration Policies

During the 1980s and 1990s, Sweden received large groups of refugees, including those from Yugoslavia, Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Refugees and immigrants were often placed in already vulnerable areas, where a lack of resources made it difficult to learn the language, find employment, or integrate into mainstream society. This led to the creation of parallel societies where distinct customs and ways of life dominated. When groups concentrate in this way without genuine integration, it can create friction with the majority culture – especially when values like equality and freedom clash with practices such as gender oppression or religious conservatism.

This is not solely a Swedish phenomenon. Similar challenges are seen in other countries, where groups from one culture settle tightly together and establish their own communities, which can lead to social segregation. Examples include Nordic and British communities forming colonies in Spain, Americans in Mexico, and Western enclaves in Thailand, often criticized by locals. In Sweden’s case, many young people have grown up with little connection to the labor market, a weakened relationship with the state, and few opportunities to succeed, contributing to marginalization and social unrest.

Ghettoization and Parallel Societies

From the 1990s into the 2000s, segregation deepened. Neighborhoods like Rinkeby in Stockholm, Rosengård in Malmö, and Angered in Gothenburg developed into what are now referred to as parallel societies – areas where laws, the education system, and police presence gradually lost influence, while violence and crime began to rise.

In these areas, crime, unemployment, and social unrest became the norm rather than the exception. Social institutions slowly withdrew, creating a vacuum that gangs stepped in to fill. Young people with no prospects sought belonging in crime, and at the same time, Sweden developed a growing problem with the "shadow economy" – a parallel system of black-market labor, drug trafficking, and violence.

The Growth of Gang Crime

Gang crime in Sweden has grown in parallel with increasing social unrest and economic inequality. Sweden has long served as a transit hub for drug trafficking between Europe and the rest of the world, but during the 1990s, the situation escalated with the establishment of organized criminal gangs. For many young people in segregated and disadvantaged areas, gangs have represented an escape from desperation and a life marked by marginalization.

In these environments, the lack of employment, educational opportunities, and connection to mainstream society has created fertile ground for radicalization. This radicalization has not necessarily been ideological but rather a reaction to feelings of powerlessness and the absence of prospects for the future. Gangs provide a semblance of structure and belonging in an otherwise chaotic existence, while simultaneously filling the vacuum left by the state's absence in these areas.

Over time, gangs have grown in power, not only through drug trafficking but also through extortion and arms smuggling. This development has contributed to a spiral of violence, where revenge attacks and clashes between rival gangs have become routine. For many young people, crime has become a way of life rather than a last resort, driven by a sense of betrayal by the society that has failed them.

Statistics from 2024 show that Sweden now has more bombings per capita than any other European country. Gang crime is a symptom of a society that has allowed marginalization and despair to grow unchecked.

For a detailed overview of Sweden’s wave of violence, see NRK’s updated news coverage here: NRK: Sweden’s Wave of Violence

Political Inaction

One of the most critical factors behind Sweden’s current state is political inaction. Many of the problems mentioned here were identified as far back as the 1990s and early 2000s. Yet successive governments have been either unable or unwilling to take necessary measures. Despite the worsening issues of integration, crime, and parallel societies, Swedish politicians have increasingly continued to accept large numbers of immigrants without first addressing the existing challenges.

A combination of bureaucracy, ideological conflicts, and fear of losing voters has stifled meaningful action. Political correctness has often trumped honest discussions about problems related to integration and societal development. The result has been that existing issues have been allowed to grow unchecked, while the pressure on the system has increased with the arrival of larger immigrant populations.

The authorities have also failed to equip the police and judicial system with the necessary resources. For decades, Sweden has struggled with too few police officers, an overburdened judicial system, and laws ill-suited to modern crime. The combination of inadequate control, weak integration policies, and a steadily growing population with diverse needs has made it impossible to manage the situation with the systems and resources currently in place.

The Consequences Today

Sweden is now in the midst of a wave of violence unprecedented in the Nordic region. The country is plagued by frequent bombings, gang-related murders, and mass killings such as the one in Örebro. The rising crime rate has exacerbated an already divided society, and Sweden is now arguably more fragmented than ever before.

Class divisions have grown dramatically, and parallel societies have deepened the divide between different segments of the population. While some enjoy safety and prosperity, other neighborhoods are in constant turmoil, with low police presence and high crime rates. In many of these areas, young people are recruited as contract killers, carrying out assignments both in Sweden and other Nordic countries.

This is symptomatic of a deeper systemic failure, where institutions in many areas no longer maintain control. For the authorities, the challenge is enormous: How can they regain control, reduce class disparities, and create a society that feels safe and united? The question is whether they have the resources – and, more importantly, the will – to tackle these problems, or if the fragmentation has already gone too far.

The Road Ahead

Can Sweden reverse the trend? It will require a political will that has so far been absent. Integration must become a serious priority, parallel societies must be dismantled, and the state must reclaim control over vulnerable areas. This involves more than just increasing police presence or imposing harsher penalties – it requires a comprehensive societal effort.

But perhaps the biggest question is whether Sweden is willing to acknowledge the depth of the problems it faces. If not, the country risks violence and fragmentation becoming a permanent condition.

Is Sweden Lost?

The question may seem dramatic, but for many Swedes, the answer feels like a resounding yes. There is a growing sense of powerlessness, and this feeling is not confined to skeptics or conspiracy theorists – it is shared by ordinary people who now watch as their once safe and well-functioning country unravels.

When we look at how the Örebro school shooting – the worst massacre in modern Swedish history – has been handled, we are forced to ask: Have Swedish authorities completely lost control?

A country that does not dare to face reality risks becoming a country without a future. (Image generated with AI in ChatGPT)

When Authorities Fear Their Own People

The reaction to the Örebro mass killing speaks volumes about the state of Sweden today. Ten people were brutally murdered at a school, and it is not even being called terrorism. Why? Because the authorities fear what will happen if the truth comes out. Fear of riots, polarization, and social unrest overshadows the communication of truth. But remaining silent or distorting the reality does not bring security – it only deepens mistrust.

Swedish authorities and police appear paralyzed, not only by the gravity of the situation but also by fear of how the population might react. Instead of confronting the challenges with transparency and decisive action, they choose to suppress information and downplay the situation. This is not just a short-term solution – it’s fuel on the fire for an already frustrated and disillusioned populace.

Police Under Pressure

Swedish police find themselves in an impossible situation. They are overworked, understaffed, and in many places completely incapable of handling the crime wave gripping the nation. The levels of violence, the frequency of bombings, and the constant shootings demand resources the police simply do not have. Meanwhile, authorities are struggling to recruit new officers, and many experienced personnel are choosing to leave the force. When criminals are repeatedly released back onto the streets shortly after being arrested, or receive light sentences, police lose motivation. Their work begins to feel futile.

Many officers believe that the system only ends up grouping criminals together in prisons, where they build networks and learn new methods of crime. At the same time, gangs exploit children below the age of criminal responsibility to carry out murders and other serious acts – leaving the police powerless to act. Politicians have floated ideas about tougher sentences for youth and lowering the age of criminal responsibility, but the question remains whether they have the courage to implement such changes.

Police officers also express concerns for their own safety. Many feel it is too dangerous to work in a climate dominated by threats and violence, especially when they lack systemic support or see tangible results from their efforts. This exacerbates the trust crisis – not just between police and citizens but also internally, within a system now fighting with its back against the wall.

For the authorities, the challenge is immense: How can they restore control in a society where the police are being pushed out and citizens have lost faith in the state’s ability to protect them? The question is whether Sweden is too divided to return to stability and safety, or if a way out of this spiral of violence still exists.

A Nation in Revolt

If you read social media, comment sections, and debate forums, an unsettling trend emerges: more and more Swedes are openly stating that they have lost faith in their own country. "Sweden is lost," they write. And these are not just anonymous voices online – these are people living in Sweden, experiencing the violence and fear firsthand.

I have a large family and many friends in Sweden, and their descriptions of the situation are shocking. People who once believed in their country, who were proud to be Swedish, now talk about a society in free fall. They describe a daily life marked by fear – not just of the violence but of the state’s abdication of responsibility.

Many in my family have made a drastic choice: they have moved out of the cities to rural areas to escape the worst of what’s happening. This is a trend that has been unfolding for years – those with resources and the means to do so are relocating. The result is small towns filled with well-off people fleeing the chaos of urban centers. At the same time, class divisions are growing. While those with money secure safety in the countryside, those without the same opportunities remain trapped in cities increasingly plagued by crime, unrest, and fear.

This dual society is a painful reality, reflecting a Sweden that no longer feels like a cohesive nation but rather one divided by fear, economic disparity, and a lack of trust in the state.

So, Is Sweden Truly Lost?

It’s a question many Swedes are now asking themselves. When trust in the police and authorities is at breaking point, and crime is raging unchecked with no apparent solution, it’s no wonder people lose faith.

But it doesn’t have to be the end. Sweden still has resources, expertise, and the ability to turn the situation around. What’s needed is leadership that dares to act, that dares to speak the truth, and that dares to acknowledge the problems without fear of political repercussions. If not, Sweden risks becoming a symbol of what happens when a society closes its eyes to its own challenges – until it’s too late.

National Awakening – or Collapse?

Sweden stands at a crossroads. Will the country continue to sink deeper into violence, fragmentation, and mistrust, or will it rise to the challenge of a national effort to reverse its trajectory?

When frustration and helplessness grow unchecked, rebellion becomes inevitable. (Image generated with AI in ChatGPT)

Resources for Police and the Justice System

The most obvious – and perhaps simplest – measure is a massive upgrade to the resources of Sweden’s police and judicial system. For too long, Sweden has operated with an understaffed police force that barely has the capacity for day-to-day operations, let alone handling a crime wave of historic proportions.

First and foremost, more police officers are needed on the streets. This is not just about providing short-term security but about rebuilding trust in communities where the police are currently absent. This will require higher wages, better working conditions, and a comprehensive strategy for recruitment and training. The police must become more visible but, more importantly, they must become relevant. In many of the most vulnerable areas, the police are seen as powerless observers rather than a legitimate authority.

The justice system also needs a complete overhaul. Sentences that reflect the severity of crimes must become the standard. Repeated instances of serious criminals being released after serving short sentences have undermined the system’s legitimacy. While harsher penalties alone will not solve the problem, they are necessary to send a clear message: Sweden will no longer tolerate violence, murder, and chaos as part of its societal fabric.

Another critical reform is ensuring that criminal networks are genuinely dismantled, rather than allowing prisons to become recruitment grounds. This might involve isolating key gang leaders and adopting a more aggressive strategy to systematically dismantle these networks. This requires intelligence capabilities far beyond what Sweden currently has.

An Honest National Debate

The greatest deficiency in Sweden’s political discourse over the past decades has been honesty. The country has trapped itself in self-censorship, where the fear of being labeled as divisive or polarizing has overshadowed the willingness to speak the truth. Without an honest national debate, finding real solutions is impossible.

This honesty begins with admitting how deep the problems run. Sweden must acknowledge that parallel societies are real, that integration policies have failed, and that gang crime is a direct result of societal neglect. Leniency can no longer prevail; it is time to remove the gloves and take a tougher approach. This does not mean placing blame on specific groups but rather having the courage to address structural problems that demand attention.

Furthermore, the media must take responsibility. Coverage of the violence has often been characterized by attempts to downplay the severity of the situation out of fear of escalating conflicts. But this is a short-sighted strategy that erodes public trust. People know what is happening on the streets, and when the media paints a different picture, the gap between citizens and institutions only widens.

Political Action

These are my thoughts on what is needed to turn Sweden around, and I’m not claiming to have all the answers – but someone must dare to say it. Sweden needs elected officials with real courage, who dare to act. Small, piecemeal solutions – like tougher sentences here and there, or more police officers without a comprehensive strategy – will not suffice.

First, integration must become a top priority. This means massive investments in language education, employment programs, and schooling in vulnerable areas. But it also means breaking up parallel societies. The state must regain control in these areas through a combination of social policy and security measures.

A radical overhaul of housing policy is also necessary. Without breaking segregation, today’s problems will only continue to grow. It is time to take the measures needed to end ghettoization – even if it means unpopular steps like mandatory distribution of immigrants and significant structural changes in the housing market.

A crucial component of this effort must be the return of those residing illegally in the country. Sweden’s asylum and immigration system must become much more efficient, ensuring that illegal stays are not only identified but lead to swift deportations. This will require increased capacity within immigration authorities and closer cooperation with countries of origin. It is not just a security issue but also a matter of fairness and trust in the system.

Sweden must also strengthen border controls. Although the country is part of the EU and the Schengen Agreement, there is room for stricter national measures within the framework of European law. This can include more extensive document checks, surveillance of border crossings, and bolstering the customs service. Enhanced border control is not just necessary to prevent illegal immigration but also to stop the flow of weapons and drugs fueling gang crime.

At the same time, politicians must be prepared to tackle challenges at the legislative level. Sweden has long outgrown a legal system designed for a different era. Whether it’s lowering the age of criminal responsibility, introducing specific laws targeting gang crime, or fostering international cooperation to combat drug trafficking, the legal framework must adapt to a new reality.

Is It Too Late?

The big question is whether Sweden has allowed its problems to grow so large that they are now out of control. An increasing number of citizens express doubt that a better future is possible. The Örebro mass killing – and the authorities’ evasive handling of it – has become a symbol of a state faltering under the weight of its own inaction.

Yet all is not lost. Sweden remains a resource-rich country, renowned for its capacity for innovation and its history of problem-solving. But it requires a reckoning. Nationalism is on the rise, while socialist parties are in decline – a trend mirroring developments across Europe. The real deficit now is not resources but political will and a national recognition of the severity of the crisis. The cost of inaction is already high, but without intervention, it will become unbearable.

Sweden stands at a turning point: Will the country seize the opportunity to reverse course, or will it resign itself to accepting fragmentation and violence as a permanent condition?

The brutal truth is that Sweden has no time to hesitate. Every day without action lengthens the road back to safety and stability – and perhaps makes it unattainable. The choice is simple but demanding: awakening or capitulation.

What Sweden Can Learn from the USA

The United States has recently demonstrated how to take action to address illegal immigration and smuggling. By strengthening border control with technology, military presence, and extensive surveillance, they have significantly reduced illegal border crossings. Sweden, grappling with the smuggling of weapons and drugs, could adopt similar measures – even within the EU framework.

Additionally, the U.S. has streamlined its deportation system, focusing on quick case processing and the return of illegal immigrants, especially criminals. Sweden, which often lets such cases drag on, must ensure that those residing illegally in the country are actually deported. This requires improved collaboration with countries of origin and a clear prioritization of resources for immigration authorities.

The U.S. has also shown how gang crime can be weakened by dismantling networks through arrests and the strategic deportation of leaders. Sweden, severely impacted by gang-related violence, could learn from this approach to regain control in vulnerable areas.

What Does This Mean for the Rest of the World?

Sweden is not just an isolated story – it is a warning sign for the rest of Europe and the world. If one of the world’s most resource-rich countries, known for its social security and well-functioning institutions, cannot manage challenges of this magnitude, what does that mean for other nations facing similar issues?

Countries like Denmark, Norway, Germany, and England have all seen increases in crime, social unrest, and integration challenges. The question is: Can they learn from what is happening in Sweden? Or will they continue to turn a blind eye, assuming the situation could never become as severe in their own countries? History shows us that those who fail to learn from the mistakes of others usually have to learn the hard way.

Unfortunately, the willingness to learn seems weak. Acknowledging Sweden’s problems also means admitting weaknesses in their own policies – something many politicians are reluctant to do. The result is that we risk seeing similar developments in more European countries before anyone dares to take action.

I believe it will take a political shift across Europe before we see the drastic changes necessary to reverse this trend – not just in Sweden, but across the continent. This requires a policy that prioritizes security, integration, and accountability. The problem is that, before we reach that point, we are likely to see a rise in violence and crime in many European countries.

Europe faces tough times ahead. This is not merely a pessimistic prediction but a logical consequence of ignoring problems for too long. Sweden is an example of what happens when small challenges are allowed to grow into systemic failures. The rest of Europe should take notice – before it’s too late.

Conclusion

Sweden must put itself first. There is no other way. The country is in the midst of a crisis that has claimed countless lives, fractured society, and eroded the state’s credibility. Waiting for help from outside is not an option. Sweden must act now – secure its borders, strengthen the judicial system, and restore trust in the state as a guarantor of safety and order. This is not about exclusion but about building a society that works for everyone who lives there, regardless of background.

However, the political changes necessary still seem far off. Those in power, as well as the opposition, appear to lack both the will and the courage to make the tough decisions required. Swedes must recognize that it is not enough to vote for politicians who are merely popular or politically correct. The country needs leaders with backbone – those who dare to prioritize the nation over comfortable solutions and approved narratives.

Today, there are a few voices in the Riksdag who dare to speak openly, but these are kept on the fringes of power. Sverigedemokraterna, who have grown on the frustrations of voters seeking change, remain blocked from real influence, much like Rassemblement National in France. When political elites do everything they can to keep such parties away from power, they risk fueling even greater political distrust and alienation among the population.

For many, nationalism is still mistakenly associated with the extremism of the past, but this is a serious misunderstanding. True nationalism is about prioritizing the nation’s health, safety, and stability – for everyone who lives there. A Sweden that puts its people first, including immigrants and refugees who are part of society, can once again become a guiding light, rather than a warning of what happens when a society collapses.

But Sweden’s challenges are not just Sweden’s responsibility. A weak Sweden impacts all of Europe. This is why the continent needs stronger borders and a unified strategy for migration, crime, and integration. A strong Europe can help Sweden, but the question is whether Sweden has the time to wait – and whether Europe has the time to wake up.

How many lives must be lost before Sweden finds the will to do what is necessary? How many cities must be shaken by violence and unrest before the rest of Europe grasps the severity of the situation? Sweden could become an example of how a nation rises again, but it requires a will to act – a will that is not yet evident.

Putting one’s own country first does not mean isolation or hostility. It means building a strong foundation that ensures safety and a future for all. Sweden must start with itself, for only when a nation stands strong can it also uplift others. What is happening in Sweden today is a warning to the rest of Europe – for the challenges we see there could soon become the reality elsewhere.

The time to act is now. Before it’s too late.