This chapter scrutinizes ways in which ideas about societal security and total defence contribute to elements of exceptionalism in Nordic security policies. It also traces the geopolitical and historical roots of a transformative policy shift within the region during the early 2020s which followed the unprecedented alignment of Sweden and Finland with NATO. In so doing, the chapter discusses aspects of both inner diversity and regional exceptionalism within Nordic security choices. Whereas many of the intricate and traditional security relationships have continued between the five Nordic states, this chapter contends that new and shared perceived threats have led to a rapid recalibration of their national defence strategies. Whether in response to strategic change in the Arctic or aggressive warfare in East Central Europe, the Nordics are being driven toward both expanded cooperation among themselves and into closer alignment with NATO. Ultimately, however, small but significant differences in their understanding of security remain among them even amidst such accelerated global changes.