Norwegian-American Security Cooperation in the Arctic Could Take a New Direction

Norway currently plays a vital role in US security cooperation through intelligence sharing and surveillance in the High North.

According to researcher Beate Steinveg at Nord University, differing views on security policy priorities could potentially emerge between the United States and Norway.

In December 2025, she travelled to Washington, D.C. to examine how great-power rivalry affects Norwegian-American security cooperation. The project was funded by the Fulbright program, an exchange grant that supports research between Norway and the U.S.

"Norway contributes significantly to intelligence sharing with the United States and the monitoring of Russian activities in the High North. We are extremely important to the Americans in this area - it is potentially the most vital intelligence partnership they have, at least in the Arctic," Steinveg told High North News.

Divergent threat perceptions

At the same time, Steinveg emphasizes that the American perspective on Russia is undergoing av marked shift. The U.S. no longer view Russia as the primary defining threat to its own security in the way it did during the Cold War.

"For Norway and Europe, Russia remains the primary shaping national security. In the U.S., the view is entirely different. They see Russia as a declining power that has been severely weakened by the war in Ukraine, assessing it as a manageable threat for Europe," Steinveg explains.

"In parallel, we see that the U.S. is far more focused on China and Chinese activity in the Arctic."

Steinveg encountered this firsthand among experts in the U.S. capital.

"Everything centers on China to a much greater degree than it does in Norway. In certain circles in the U.S., I think it is perceived as somewhat frustrating when partners are reluctant to join discussions on how to manage China."

Focus toward Chinese interests

These shifts in U.S. threat perception could have implications for Norway’s role in the security partnership.

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"Those I spoke with on this topic stressed that Norway could contribute more regarding Chinese interests in the Arctic."

She highlights an important distinction between Chinese activity and a formal military presence in the High North.

"To date, Chinese activity in the region is primarily tied to scientific research, trade and shipping. However, the Trump administration focuses on increased Chinese military activity without presenting evidence to support this. Wether the Trump administration actually believes it or is simply using it as a talking point, I cannot say."

Over time, determing what a new Norwegian contribution should entail may become essential to maintaining the bilateral partnership in the High North.

"In the longer term, we should perhaps attempt to establish a cooperative framework with the Americans on how to handle China's interests in the Arctic.  That would likely serve as a relevant contribution."

A shifted security landscape

Steinveg stresses that changes in U.S. security policy must be viewed alongside deeper structural shifts within the United States.

While many in Europe hoped during the first Trump administration that the policy changes were temporary, Steinveg now cautions against assuming everything will automatically revert to how it was.

With budget cuts to research and educational institutions and the removal of dissenting voices within the bureaucracy, Washington is being drained of critical domain expertise.

"To some extent, regardless of what happens in the next election, I believe a number of the changes we are witnessing now will prove quit permanent."

She believes this applies equally to the U.S. commitment to European defense

"Europe must plan under th assumption that this represents a lasting structural change - and that, over the long term, Europe will have to take responsibility for its own security, regardless of whether a Democrat or a Republican occupies the presidency next," she concludes.

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