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Arctic Reality Check
Dear reader. Is the authorities' version of total defense in conflict with the inhabitants'? Check out the debate, along with a keen look at Russia's activity at sea, ocean research news, and the EU's sanctions regime.
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Another eventful week has passed, and we can report that Svalbard remains attractive to tourists, despite the Norwegian state's eagerness to regulate the archipelago. (Norwegian only)
And it must be considered good news that Western sanctions towards Russia are finally showing an effect.
We also keep an eye on an LNG carrier tied to Russia’s Arctic gas trade that has spent nearly a month circling off the central Norwegian coast with no announced destination.
Defense
Defense news still dominates the Arctic news landscape.
Amongst other things, Canada helps boost the U.S. Coast Guard's icebreaking capacity by 2028.
The UK is to step up the defence of the Arctic and the High North from rising Russian threats.
And European leaders used the Munich Security Conference to signal a stronger military and political focus on the Arctic.
The increased defense focus on the High North is evident among Northern Norwegians, as a NATO headquarters moves into an Arctic town. What does that entail for the inhabitants' security? The debate concept Lytring took the debate with Editor Arne O. Holm at the wheel. You can watch the recording of the debate. (Norwegian only)
Derailment and export
Train derailments are a routine part of Arctic winters at this point, as two wagons have derailed again on a busy Swedish Iron Ore Line.
Did you know that Norway still delivers large quantities of salmon smolt to Russia?
Research news
This week's important comment from Holm concerns what was not supposed to happen.
"This is about the dramatic consequences of the political attacks on researchers and their institutions. It is about the devastation of years of climate research. It's about the future of the Arctic," writes Holm.
Luckily, climate research continues in the Nordic region, and new research shows that the rapid warming of the Arctic has led to the persistence of weather systems in the Northern Hemisphere. (Norwegian only)
Also, read about the amount of fish in the sea areas outside of Norway that has halved since peaking in 2013.
And off course we have to congratulate Arctic footballteam Bodø/Glimt with victory against another great Champions Legue team at 67 degrees north with Wednesday night's 3-1 victory against Italian Inter.
In addition, there are op-eds, notices, and more at High North News.
Best, Editor-in-Chief Trine Jonassen
