The EU Finally Gets It, Leading to New Possibilities for Us Comment: While Norway is refusing to adjust its position on the EU, the EU recently adopted a new strategic resolution for the Arctic that could have a major impact on Norway and the High North. Its most notable feature is the recognition of increased militarization in the North.
Norway Under Pressure: A New Strategy for the High North in 2025 Op-ed: In a world where security policy is intertwined with all other policy areas and geo-economic rationales diverge from purely economic considerations, Norway must navigate increasing interest and interference in its northern regions. The Arctic and High North are increasingly arenas for power projection, geo-economics, and symbolic politics, writes researcher Andreas Østhagen.
Norway's New High North Strategy: "A Serious Backdrop" Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): "We need to think differently about how we cooperate north in the Nordic region, but also circumpolar, to be safer," said MFA State Secretary Maria Varteressian in connection with the launch of a new High North strategy. A strategy with a serious security policy backdrop, says researcher Andreas Østhagen.
Norway’s High North Strategy: The Same Slogans, but an Entirely Different and Dramatic Situation Comment from Kirkenes, Northern Norway: The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide was state secretary in the Ministry of Defense when the Labor Party launched its first Arctic policy. Now, 20 years later, the problems remain the same, but the security policy situation is completely different.
Strong Security Focus in Canada's New Arctic Foreign Policy "The Arctic is no longer a low-tension region," said Canada's minister of foreign affairs. Ottawa is now initiating an Arctic security dialogue, strengthening the security perspective at a regional level, and opening new consulates in Anchorage and Nuuk.
Strong Security Focus in Canada's New Arctic Foreign Policy "The Arctic is no longer a low-tension region," said Canada's minister of foreign affairs. Ottawa is now initiating an Arctic security dialogue, strengthening the security perspective at a regional level, and opening new consulates in Anchorage and Nuuk.
Strong Security Focus in Canada's New Arctic Foreign Policy "The Arctic is no longer a low-tension region," said Canada's minister of foreign affairs. Ottawa is now initiating an Arctic security dialogue, strengthening the security perspective at a regional level, and opening new consulates in Anchorage and Nuuk.
Pentagon’s Upcoming New Arctic Strategy: "We Talk To Norway, Finland, and Sweden a Lot" Washington D.C. (High North News): The US DoD's new Arctic strategy is right around the corner. It has been developed in close dialogue with allies – not least the Northern Nordics, says Deputy Assistant Secretary Iris Ferguson. She expresses admiration for Norway's 'double strategy' on balancing deterrence and reassurance in the North.
Pentagon’s Upcoming New Arctic Strategy: "We Talk To Norway, Finland, and Sweden a Lot" Washington D.C. (High North News): The US DoD's new Arctic strategy is right around the corner. It has been developed in close dialogue with allies – not least the Northern Nordics, says Deputy Assistant Secretary Iris Ferguson. She expresses admiration for Norway's 'double strategy' on balancing deterrence and reassurance in the North.
Pentagon’s Upcoming New Arctic Strategy: "We Talk To Norway, Finland, and Sweden a Lot" Washington D.C. (High North News): The US DoD's new Arctic strategy is right around the corner. It has been developed in close dialogue with allies – not least the Northern Nordics, says Deputy Assistant Secretary Iris Ferguson. She expresses admiration for Norway's 'double strategy' on balancing deterrence and reassurance in the North.
Greenland’s Arctic Strategy: “It Is A Power Shift from Denmark" Anchorage (High North News): Greenland is stepping into the next decade, claiming space and more independence. “Our voice should be the most important one. “Nothing about us without us is” a power shift from Denmark,” says Aaja Chemnitz, Member of the Danish Folketing (MP) for Greenland.
Greenland’s Arctic Strategy: “It Is A Power Shift from Denmark" Anchorage (High North News): Greenland is stepping into the next decade, claiming space and more independence. “Our voice should be the most important one. “Nothing about us without us is” a power shift from Denmark,” says Aaja Chemnitz, Member of the Danish Folketing (MP) for Greenland.
Greenland with New Arctic Strategy: Defense, Diplomacy and Peace Last week, the Government of Greenland presented its Foreign, Security, and Defense Strategy 2024 - 2033. Titled 'Greenland in the World — Nothing about us without us,' the strategy aims to form stronger ties with Arctic North America and hold a leading role in the Arctic Council.
“Icebreaking Gap” Will Require Coast Guard to Acquire Commercial Icebreaker Says New US Arctic Plan A new implementation plan for the US Coast Guard’s Arctic strategy clears a path for acquisition of a commercial icebreaker to overcome the “icebreaking capacity gap.” The report also calls for expanded exercises and operations in the Arctic, which in conjunction with a new White House Arctic plan may indicate plans for a future Freedom of Navigation Operation in the region.
The US Department of Defense Announces New Arctic Strategy in Early 2024 Reykjavik (High North News): The Pentagon's new Arctic strategy is scheduled to be launched at the beginning of next year, says Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Iris Ferguson at the Arctic Circle Assembly. She emphasizes that the overarching aim will still be to maintain peace and stability in the region.
US Department of Defense Working on Updated Arctic Strategy The Pentagon is in the process of updating its Arctic strategy, Assistant Secretary of Defense Melissa Dalton said during the Arctic Encounters conference last week. The Department of Defense’s current Arctic strategy was released in June 2019.
"Security Interests Trump Several Important Considerations, Such As Cooperation On Environmental Challenges" Kirkenes:Russia has changed its Arctic policy and is now putting less emphasis on cooperation with other states in the region. "The disconnect is happening from both sides and is perhaps necessary at the moment. However, the risk of undermining own interests and future cooperation is great if disconnect becomes the vision for relations in the Barents area long-term," says Nupi researcher.
The USA Will Release a New National Arctic Strategy Chargé d’Affaires Sharon Hudson-Dean at the U.S. Embassy in Norway announced that President Joe Biden is working on updating the national strategy on the Arctic region.
New British Arctic Strategy: Deploying Submarine-Hunting Aircrafts to the Arctic Great Britain sends jets with specialized surveillance technology to the Arctic as part of Britain’s new Arctic strategy. The Norwegian Defense Minister welcomes increased British presence.
Everybody Wants Something in the High North. But What Exactly Do They Want? (Commentary) Rome/Bodø: Everybody wants something with the High North, but do they really know what they want? Is it possible at all to find a pattern behind the pompous words embracing people and business in the Arctic? I have been traveling the north for some time now, and I doubt their will less than their abilities.
The Arctic is Still One, Big Happy Family – but Three of the Children are Put to Shame (Commentary)Reykjavik, Iceland: He declared victory over the pandemic, Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, when he was finally allowed to gather more than 1,300 Arctic attendees in the representative home of Reykjavik, the Harpa concert hall. Yet already during the Arctic Circle opening speech, a new and perhaps larger challenge emerged: How is the Arctic to win over the EU?
US Army Arctic Strategy: "A Wholesale Change" Major General Peter Andrysiak, Commander of the US Army Alaska, emphasizes the need for the US Army to rebuild high-end skills to operate in the Arctic environment. Moving forward, he says, there is a lot to learn from European allies and partners.
US Army Releases Arctic Strategy: Will Improve Service's Posture in the Region The US Army recently completed its new Arctic strategy, laying out how the service can better position itself to operate in the region. The strategy includes plans about establishing an operational two-star headquarters with specially trained and equipped combat brigades.
Youth Panel Arctic Whitepaper: “The Arctic is More Than Fish Quotas and Spy Cases” A Norwegian youth panel has submitted its whitepaper on the Arctic with a clear message to the politicians: The young need something lasting to look forward to. Not just one off’s with pomp and splendor, with everybody leaving afterwards.
Russia’s Updated Arctic Strategy: New Strategic Planning Document Approved The newly approved Strategy for Development focuses on several opportunities and challenges to developing the Russian Arctic Zone over the next 15 years. Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan at Deakin University says most of the challenges presented in the document are domestic in nature.
Increased interest in the Arctic: “The U.S. Army has made a significant pivot” There is a pivot in the U.S. Army to train and operate more in Alaska to rebuild skills, according to Major General Peter Andrysiak, commander U.S. Army Alaska. He says the U.S. Army soon will release its own Arctic strategy.
Change and Continuity: The Evolution of Sweden’s Arctic Strategy at the Dawn of Multilateral Era Sweden´s new Arctic Strategy is indeed a marked improvement compared to the country’s previous strategic dossier on the region, yet it has lost a golden opportunity to shape the debate on this vital subject, Nima Khorrami, Research Associate at The Arctic Institute writes.
Now the Swedes Also Fear Increased Militarization of the Arctic Commentary: On Tuesday this week, the Swedish government sent a serious security policy warning to its Arctic neighbors. Sweden is seriously worried about the military development in the High North. These are new tunes from a country focusing most of its military activity in the south.
Sweden Launches New Arctic Strategy The Swedish government launched its strategy for the Arctic region this week. Several countries are currently updating their Arctic policies.
Top-Heavy Government Delegation Tours Northern Norway The Norwegian government is to present its new whitepaper about the High North this autumn, and the government wants input from the Arctic. “We want to hear from as many as possible about how to do this”, says Prime Minister Erna Solberg.
NHO Signed Out From the High North Debate With A Long Yawn Commentary: NHO, the Confederation of Norwegian Enterprise, presented its “road map for future enterprise” the other day. With a Director General who has previously been vocal in discussions about opportunities in the High North, it was safe to have high expectations. Though they proved to be wasted. NHO’s map for a future Norway does not even contain a side-track to the High North.
If We are to Believe the Labor Party Leader, This is When the High North is to Boom - Again Commentary: The one who waits for something good does not wait in vain, the saying goes. The Norwegian Labor Party has just presented its new Arctic policy draft. And if we are to believe party leader Jonas Gahr Støre, this is when the High North is to boom, to the benefit of both the nation as well as the international community.
Norwegian Labor Party Launches High North Strategy: “We Cannot Let the Authorities Abdicate in the High North” Knowledge, creating new jobs based on own resources and solving the climate crisis. These are the key areas of High North politics for the next decade, according to the High North committee of the Norwegian Labor Party. “High North politics must move closer to people and mean something for their everyday life”, says committee chair Martin Henriksen.
We frequently visit the High North. Greetings from the Government! The government made me aware the other day that it also governs the High North. Or, as it was put in a press release: “Members of the government and the civil service frequently visit the High North, courtesy of regjeringen.no (the government’s web site).
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.
The Sámi Arctic Strategy to shake up Arctic discourse Unlike national Arctic strategies largely targeted at the protection of the national sovereign interests, Sámi Arctic Strategy is human-centered. “People” is the third most frequent word used in the document, after “Arctic” and “Council”, writes Alexandra Middleton.
You Discipline the One You Love Rome: Living in the Arctic is kind of like being the most popular girl or boy in class, yet also the one to be chastised the most by the classmates. – The Lord disciplines the ones he loves, as it says in Hebrews.
- Claiming That the Arctic is Not A Regulated Area is Most Incorrect. The Truth is Rather Opposite. State Secretary at the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Audun Halvorsen says the MFA spends vast resources informing the international debate about the Arctic about factual matters.
Trump in the High North? The Pentagon points to both China and Russia as possible threats in a "strategic race" in the Arctic. What does this mean for Norway?
New U.S. Department of Defense Arctic Strategy Sees Growing Uncertainty and Tension in Region The long-anticipated update to the U.S. Arctic Strategy is a continuation of Secretary of State Pompeo’s recent remarks. The U.S. rebukes Chinese and Russian efforts to challenge the region’s rules-based order.
The Americans are aware that the Russians have had a head start in the Arctic and that China is a joker. That may mean increased military American activity. ANALYSIS: Russia and China are the two nations that have possibly seen the highest potential in this, however, we may expect increased American focus in the time ahead.
