Nato cleverly secures deal with Sweden for Nintendo game

James Cleverly, former UK Cabinet minister, played a pivotal role in Swedens NATO accession after triumphing over the son of a senior Swedish diplomat in a video game, according to a report by the Telegraph.

Tobias Billstrm, Swedens former foreign minister, revealed in a recent book that the Nintendo title Super Smash Bros. unexpectedly became a tool of diplomacy during discussions between the UK and Sweden in 2023, as the Nordic nation sought NATO membership.

In June 2023, Mr. Billstrm invited Mr. Cleverly, then UK Foreign Secretary, to his summer residence on Gotland island. The meeting was intended to gain Britains support for Swedens application, as the UK is a key NATO member.

After a dinner featuring smoked fish, Gotland potatoes, and saffron pancakes, discussions shifted to pressing matters including Russia, Ukraine, and Swedens NATO bid. At that moment, Mr. Billstrms 11-year-old son unexpectedly challenged the British minister to a round of Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. According to Mr. Billstrm, Everyone lost to him except Cleverly.

The game allows players to assume the roles of iconic Nintendo characters such as Pikachu, Donkey Kong, and Mario, creating a light-hearted but memorable interaction between diplomats and family members.

Following the match, Mr. Billstrm noted, When we said goodbye to the British the next morning, new bonds had been formed. Diplomacy is not only about grand speeches but sometimes about sharing a meal on a Swedish summer night.

Mr. Cleverlys involvement marked a turning point in Swedens NATO journey. During a joint press conference, he pledged to push for the speedy completion of your accession process, underscoring the UKs support. Less than a year after the gaming encounter, Sweden officially became a NATO member.

The anecdote highlights the growing role of video games in diplomacy. Many leaders, including former NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, Hillary Clinton, and Barack Obama, have been known to engage with games as a way to connect or relax during official duties. Even exiled Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad reportedly spends time playing video games in Moscow.

After leaving the Swedish foreign ministry, Mr. Billstrm transitioned to the defense sector, advising European governments on protecting critical infrastructure from Russian drone attacks. He remains wary of Vladimir Putin, whose actions prompted Swedens NATO application, describing the Russian leader as wholly committed to undermining Ukraines independence.

Mr. Billstrm is now strategy director at Nordic Air Defence (NAD), a company developing cost-effective missile systems to counter Russian drones, reflecting ongoing security concerns in Europe.

Author: Ethan Caldwell