A small nation joins a powerful alliance. Gained security, or lost independence?

Small nations in alliances end up doing what the big ones want anyway. You lose leverage, lose choices, lose self-determination. Not worth it.

Look at the Baltics—they joined NATO and EU, and life got immensely better. That's not loss of independence, that's choosing your future.

Independence without security is just a nice word for vulnerability.

Depends on the terms. A real partnership? Yes. A puppet state? No way.

Security through alliance is just trading one boss for another. You think those big powers care about your sovereignty?