NATO's Military Leader: “The Arctic in 2025 Is at a Crossroads” Reykjavik (High North News): The message from the Chair of the NATO Military Committee is clear: “Together, Russia and China aim to reshape the rules of access and influence, to their advantage, challenging openness, fairness, and the rule of law.”
Politicians Plant Disdain For Science in Their Voters Comment (Reykjavik): What happens when political leaders plant disdain for research and science in their voters? Well, that does not remain to be seen. We are already heading there, guided by a country that once was an international beacon of research.
“The Arctic Council is Irreplaceable” Reykjavik (High North News): “Projects are being discussed, new activities are being initiated. The Arctic Council is still alive and very much kicking,” says Kenneth Høegh, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials of the Arctic Council.
Arctic Security Expert: “Putin is Testing NATO” Reykjavik (High North News): “It’s all a competition at this stage, designed to figure out what our tolerance is. We don't often project an image of strength that is really important when we're interacting with Russia and China”, says Canadian Defense Expert P. Whitney Lackenbauer.
Prime Minister of Iceland: “We Better Control What's Happening in Our Own Backyard” Reykjavik (High North News): “We can't sit back and want this to be a risk-free, neutral zone, and whatever happens, happens”, says the Prime Minister of Iceland, Kristrún Mjöll Frostadóttir, who have been in office for nine months.
Arctic Communities Have Solutions to Share Op-ed: Recently, I stood before an international audience at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik. In just 90 seconds, I had the chance to share a message I deeply believe in:Arctic communities aren't just facing challenges – they also have solutions to share.
Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski (R): Trump's View on Climate is Very Different From the Biden/Harris Administration Reykjavik (High North News): "It shouldn't matter whether a president likes Alaska or not, but that the president recognizes the importance of this region, not only to the United States, but also what it means to our global leadership", Alaska Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said at the 2024 Arctic Circle Assembly.
An Admiral’s Brutal War Story – And What Is the Definition of a Victory in Ukraine? Comment (Reykjavik): Without a manuscript, without hesitation, nearly without even drawing a breath, he let a packed hall know what the war in Ukraine is about. I am talking about Admiral Rob Bauer. He dragged the soon 1,000 daily news broadcasts on weapon systems through a mud of blood, suffering, and death.
“Scientists Are Natural Diplomats” Reykjavik (High North News): At this year's Arctic Circle Assembly, science diplomacy is one of the buzzwords that resonates throughout sessions, debates, and lectures. "Scientists are natural diplomats, as they care deeply about science and not so much about politics," says Jane Francis, Director of the British Antarctic Survey.
PM of Iceland: We Have Suffered a Climate Backlash Reykjavik (High North News): At the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík, the Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir, emphasized that COP 28 in November must succeed in order to slow down rapid climate change.
Arctic Council After Russia’s Handover: “We Are Still Here” Reykjavik (High North News): “I am here to tell you that the Arctic Council is not dead,” said the Arctic Council Chair Morten Høglund to a cheering congregation at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik – revealing that the takeover from Russia was not certain until the day before.
Renewal of the Research Agreement Between Northern Norway and Iceland During the international Arctic Circle conference in Iceland, Norway and Iceland signed a renewal of the letter of intent for Arctic research collaboration that was entered into in 2012.
One Can Only Hope That More of These Stories Will Finally Get Their Well-Deserved Place in News History Dear High North News reader!
From the Central Pacific to the Arctic Impacts of climate change intimately link the Central Pacific and the Arctic, argue delegates from Fiji and Niue.
This is Why Finland and Iceland Want Security Politics in the Arctic Council The question is regularly raised off-the-record, though at this year’s Arctic Circle, it rose to the main stage. Many now argue that the Arctic Council should start addressing security policy issues, while others strongly warn against it.
The Swiss Arctic Policy Draw Parallels Between the High Altitude of the Alps and the Arctic Ambassador Stefan Estermann argues that, in many ways, Switzerland representes a “vertical Arctic.” “It is a nice way to draw parallels between the high altitude of the Alps and the Arctic,” he says.
Believes the EU’s New Arctic Strategy Will Include More Security and Geo-Economics Marie-Anne Coninsx, the EU’s Ambassador at Large for the Arctic, reveals what she believes will be the key ingredient of the EU’s upcoming Arctic Strategy: - You cannot put up a “Do not disturb”-sign, she says.
Scotland, Brexit, Indyref2 and the Arctic Scottish government elaborates on Scotland’s first Arctic Policy Framework amidst Brexit uncertainty
Spoke at the Arctic Circle, Subpoenaed in the Impeachment Against Donald Trump Reykjavik: The impeachment case that is being prepared against Donald Trump got a face in Reykjavik this weekend. US Energy Minister Rick Perry was on the podium during the Arctic Circle conference. He is one of the people who have been subpoenaed in the American Ukraine-scandal.
"Congress would make damn sure we would not be buying Greenland," US Senator says US Senator Lisa Murkowsky says it's about time the Arctic caught the attention from the US administration. Greenland, on the other hand, will exploit its new popularity to boost the economy and become independent.
It Took A Swedish Princess to Place Norway on the Arctic Map Reykjavik: Are there limits to how much care one person can receive? Yes, I think to myself as I stroll out of Harpa, the ever-impressive concert hall in Reykjavik. The ocean winds sweeping across the Icelandic capital with stormy gusts are both demanding and liberating. I brace myself and feel all the clammy embraces blow over and away.
Study: The Non-Arctic Strategies are Most Current Six out of eight Arctic states have Arctic strategy documents that are between six and eight years old.
7th Arctic Circle Assembly Opens in Reykjavik Reykjavik’s shining convention centre on the harbour, Harpa, will be home to the largest annual Arctic gathering - the Arctic Circle Assembly - from October 10th to the 13th. High North News is also present.
11 Arctic Mayors Will Be Forming the Arctic Mayors’ Forum Next Week On October 10, mayors representing some of the world’s northern most cities will sign the Arctic Mayors’ Forum foundation paper, thereby forming the Arctic Mayors’ Forum.
