politics
High North News and the True Northern Arts Festival: Who owns the story of the North?
How Do We Understand Today's USA?
Harstad (High North News): Democracy is under pressure, the great powers are in conflict and security policy is unpredictable. What does the development in the USA mean for Norway, NATO and the High North?
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From Wednesday to Friday this week, High North News and the True Northern Arts Festival invite the public to open and inquisitive conversations about the role of the High North in a turbulent time. We promise sharp perspectives, strong voices and artistic performances.
The debates are moderated by Arne O. Holm, editor of High North News. They can be followed from the Nordic Hall in Harstad or via streaming on HNN’s website.
The main guest on Thursday is Norway’s Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffersen, a general and Norway’s highest-ranking military leader. He has served as Chief of Defence since 2020, having previously led both the Army and the Home Guard, and has extensive experience from the Armed Forces and the special forces.
On the panel we meet Bård Larsen, historian and writer affiliated with Civita, and author of the book Democracy in trouble. Hilde Eliassen Restad is an associate professor of political science and international relations at Oslo New University College, specialising in American politics and foreign policy. Andreas Østhagen is head of research for oceans and the Arctic at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, and researches security, geopolitics and political dynamics in the High North.
Together, they explore the question of how we should and can understand USA right now, and what the consequences may be for an Arctic already facing heightened preparedness, great-power interests and new security policy realities.
Vokal Nord provides a musical contribution.
