This essay uses the quandary facing Swedish security policy decision-makers in 1863 as a starting point to discuss a few timeless topics of national strategy. Affected by pan-Scandinavian sentiments, in July 1863 Charles XV made a declaration of solidarity with Denmark, which faced a military threat from the German Confederation, promising Swedish troops to help defend the southern border of the Duchy of Schleswig. However, the King had not secured the support of his cabinet, which refused to back the King’s policy, so that despite intense diplomatic activity, no military assistance to Denmark was given when the Second Schleswig War eventually started. Using this historical experience as a case-study, observations and reflections are made about the security policy of small states, about the need to coordinate and de-conflict policy initiatives within the core executive, and about what is required for a declaration of solidarity to be credible.