Since 2018 Mr Åstrand is heading the research and development branch at the counter information influence section (Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency). He oversees the agency’s international cooperation with regard to foreign interference and information influence campaigns.  

Before joining MSB, Mr Åstrand served as Justice and Home Affairs counsellor at the Swedish Permanent Representation to the EU and to the Swedish Mission to NATO in Brussels. In this capacity he followed and negotiated Swedish security policy including civil protection, hybrid warfare and cyber security. 

Prior to that he held various analyst positions at Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Defence. In 2012-2014 he was appointed secretary of Swedish defence commission. In this capacity he focused on transatlantic security, the Arctic as a security arena, cyber security, Nordic and Baltic security cooperation.  

In 2000 Mr Åstrand served as an Anti-Tank Guided Missile Squad Leader in the NATO-lead operation KFOR in Kosovo 

He holds an MA in political science from Växjö University and University of Minnesota. He lives in Stockholm, is married to Martina and has two sons.