opinions
Newsletter from the Editor:
A Cold Mess
Dear reader. While a Finnish researcher warns against Russia, the Finnish president thinks it's time to talk to Putin. And is the Arctic AI adventure really a nightmare? asks commentator Arne O. Holm.
Published
Modified
This is an op-ed written by an external contributor. All views expressed are the writer's own.
First to the U.S.A, where a $1 billion shipyard modernization project in Texas is being developed to build U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers, signaling renewed investment in America’s Arctic fleet and shipbuilding capacity.
Then the hottest topic of the year: Artificial intelligence.
Are we to believe the Norwegian government, Nscale’s giant data centre in Northern Norway is supposed to lift Norway into a new industrial fairy tale.
“But is it in reality the beginning of a nightmare?” asks commentator Arne O. Holm.
As usual, there is a lot going on around Arctic security.
In May, a Chinese citizen was arrested in Norway and is alleged to have attempted to map military activity in Bodø. The incident followed the arrest of a Chinese woman on Andøya earlier in the month.
Right now, the NATO exercise Ramstein Flag 2026 is going on, as one of the largest allied exercises being conducted in the High North this year.
Over to Russia seen through Finnish eyes.
Recently I met the Finnish political scientist Samu Paukkunen, who warned against division in the Nordic front against Russia.
On the other hand, Finnish President Alexander Stubb thinks it time Europe spoke to Putin.
“Europe cannot ignore Putin forever.”
And EU’s latest sanctions proposal targets Russia’s LNG shipping network and will ban gas tanker sales to Russian interests. But the move comes amidst EU imports of Russian Arctic LNG continuing to rise.
Other news:
UiT Seeks to Host Polar Year Hub
NATO to Test Uncrewed Systems in The Arctic
Greenland Government Reject Inuit Registration
NATO has Launched Forward Land Forces Finland
Northern Norwegian Citizen Arrested in Russia
Read this and more at High North News. Please share the newsletter and articles with others who might be interested. And do follow us om social media.
All the best, Editor-in-Chief Trine Jonassen.
