NATO Should Follow Up Success on the Eastern Flank in the Arctic, says UK Foreign Secretary Bardufoss, Northern Norway (High North News): NATO allies should launch stronger coordination and cooperation as part of an Arctic sentry, inspired by joint efforts for enhanced presence in the Baltic Sea and on the Eastern flank, said UK Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to HNN last Thursday.
UK's Foreign Minister to Urge NATO to Focus on Arctic in Finland and Norway Visit Travelling to Finland and Northern Norway, the UK's Foreign Secretary will call on NATO to step up its work in the Arctic to protect Euro-Atlantic interests in the region.
Who to Trust? Danish or Norwegian Intelligence? Comment: We are about to close on a turbulent year, to put it mildly. It might have been the most turbulent any of us can remember. So let us hope that next year offers something different, such as the Arctic remaining a region without armed conflict.
Norway to Introduce Military Police Authority on Arctic Island The Norwegian Ministry of Defense believes the current security policy situation calls for the expansion of the military police's scope to include the Norwegian Arctic island of Jan Mayen.
The Dramatic Battle Over Defense Expenses Is About Much More Than Money Comment: Right now, a dramatic battle is taking place within the EU about the continued funding of Ukraine's defense against an increasingly aggressive Russia. However, this is not just about money, but largely also about the voters' continued trust in their leaders.
Norway, European Defence, and The Future of The Nordic Welfare Model Norway, European defence, and the Future of the Nordic welfare model - What the European Banking Federation report reveals about Europe’s most crucial non EU defence partner.
Why November 2028 is Crucial for Europe's Security Comment: When will Russia once again be able to attack another European country? For Northern Europe and a number of Baltic states, that will hopefully not be possible until November 7th, 2028. The so-called peace agreement for Ukraine showcases the gravity of the situation.
No New Structure for Northern Nordic Cooperation in Sight? Rovaniemi, Finland (High North News): At the end of the year, Finland will withdraw from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, and the search for a new cooperation framework has so far not yielded any tangible results. “I really hope that we find a common path forward,” says Hanna Honkamäkilä in the Council of Oulu Region.
Greenland to Cooperate With Japanese Peace Foundation – Aims to Become an Arctic Hub for Peace "It has never been more important to strengthen efforts for peace," says Greenland's Foreign Minister, Vivian Motzfeldt. She recently signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the Japanese Sasakawa Peace Foundation. The agreement will initiate joint work on peace research in the Arctic.
Nordic Defense Ministers and Chiefs of Defense Gathered to Enhance Joint Combat Power All Nordic defense ministers and chiefs of defense recently met in Helsinki. A key topic was the development of air forces capable of combined operations. “This is important for strengthening NATO’s deterrence and defense in the High North,” says Antti Häkkänen, Finnish Minister of Defense.
Iceland and Germany to Enhance Defense Cooperation Iceland and Germany recently signed a letter of intent on increased defense cooperation. "We are ready to assume greater responsibility for stability and security in the High North," says the German Minister of Defense, Boris Pistorius.
Commander of Finnish Jaeger Brigade Keeps His Guard Up, but Doesn’t Think Russia Will Attack Sodankylä (High North News): Russia is unpredictable, but unlikely to cross the threshold of NATO's Article 5, says Marko Kivelä, Commander of the Finnish Jaeger Brigade. "At the same time, it is best to be prepared and take measures to avoid such scenarioes," he underscores.
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.”
The Norwegian Government Proposes Defense Budget Increase of NOK 4,2 Billion in 2026 With the proposed increase, Norway will spend NOK 112 billion on national defense in 2026. In Northern Norway, there are i.a. plans for investments in property, buildings, and facilities of about NOK 3,2 billion.
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.
Come Inside a Home Guard Defense Exercise in the Norwegian Arctic Porsanger (High North News): Join Norway's northernmost home guard district - HV17 - on an exercise at Garrison Porsangmoen, in the Norwegian Arctic.
A Perfect Storm: When Healthcare and Defense Competes for the Same Youths Comment (Porsangmoen og Sodankyle): A perfect storm is brewing in the North. Soon, two of our most important public agencies will fight for the same workforce. Without drastic measures, one of them, perhaps both, will be left as losers.
Iceland and Finland to Strengthen Defense Cooperation On Tuesday, Iceland and Finland signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation. "This agreement underscores Iceland's increased emphasis on regional and bilateral cooperation with neighboring countries and central allies," says the Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs.
When Generals Move Gas Cans Away From a Flaming Fire Comment (Oslo): "We cannot protect ourselves against everything," said the Norwegian Chief of Defense, Eirik Kristoffersen, providing a room full of international academics with Arctic expertise a crash course in democracy. "You can give me more power. But I don't want it."
French Foreign Minister in Nuuk: "France Stands By Greenland" The French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrot visited Nuuk this weekend to demonstrate France's solidarity with Greenland and Denmark, as well as to develop cooperation with the Greenlandic government.
U.S Destroyers, Norwegian Frigate Patrol Arctic North Cape as NATO Forces Search for Russian Attack Submarines off Lofoten U.S. and Norwegian naval forces conducted a joint patrol in the Barents Sea. The Arctic operation comes as part of a large exercise in the Norwegian and North Seas involving theUSS Gerald R. Fordnuclear aircraft carrier and carrier group. NATO forces also conducted extensive aerial searches for three Russian Yasen-class attack submarines which were reported to be operating in the area off the Lofoten.
Canada Prioritizes Military Presence in the North "Asserting sovereignty in the Canadian Arctic is becoming ever more important as our adversaries increase their activity in the region," says Canada's Minister of Defense, David McGuinty. This season, Canadian forces are deployed on multiple Arctic operations.
Call From Longyearbyen for Increased Norwegian Military Presence in Svalbard Harstad (High North News): Norway must be able to defend Svalbard, believes Terje Aunevik, Chair of the Longyearbyen Community Council. At the same time, he and the County Chair for Finnmark Socialist Left are calling for proper strengthening of critical infrastructure in the North.
Call From Longyearbyen for Increased Norwegian Military Presence in Svalbard Harstad (High North News): Norway must be able to defend Svalbard, believes Terje Aunevik, Chair of the Longyearbyen Community Council. At the same time, he and the County Chair for Finnmark Socialist Left are calling for proper strengthening of critical infrastructure in the North.
Photographer Dan Mariner’s Access to the Decommisioned Air Station Leads to Exhibit The British photographer got access to the decommissioned air station in Bodø, Northern Norway. The photos he took there are now exhibited under the title 'First Strike City' and pose the question: What is the cost of safety, and who is footing the bill?
The Faroe Islands, Greenland and Denmark Met for Talks on Security in Insecure Times The Kingdom of Denmark is in a dangerous situation, says the Danish prime minister, heralding new Arctic defense measures. At the same time, the realm is to be modernized, and the leaders of the Faroe Islands and Greenland call for foreign policy powers.
“Norway Must Be the One to Have Control in the Areas Closest to Russia” Kirkenes (High North News): Russia is rattling its sabers along NATO's borders in the North, and the Norwegian prime minister warns against war and opens up for increased allied exercises in the High North. But both Norway's PM and Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen trust Trump to respect Norwegian game rules.
The High North Is the Place to Meet Ministers and Generals Comment: This week, the chance of meeting a Chief of Defense or a Norwegian Minister was high. That is, if you were in the North. If you find yourself further south in the country, grumpy mayors and opposition politicians can be found right around the corner.
Our Time’s Financial “Draft Evaders” Comment: The public budgets across Europe are wrought to face Russian aggression and possible American military withdrawal. The wealthy respond by moving to Switzerland. That is how they keep their money to themselves and evade contributing to the defense of Europe.
Stoltenberg: “Narvik Is History, but Also the Future in Terms of Security and Defense” Narvik, Northern Norway (High North News): "Sweden and Finland's accession to NATO has made Narvik and the High North even more important for our security," says Jens Stoltenberg, former NATO Secretary General and current Norwegian Minister of Finance.
Head of US Military Base in Greenland Fired with Reference to Partisan Behaviour Colonel Susannah Meyers was recently removed as commander of the US Pituffik Space Base in Greenland. “Actions to undermine the chain of command or to subvert President Trump's agenda will not be tolerated at the Department of Defense,” said chief Pentagon spokesperson.
Denmark’s PM Stands Up to Trump’s USA and for Arctic Security "When you demand to take over a part of the Kingdom of Denmark’s territory. When we are met by pressure and threats from our closest ally. What are we to believe about the country we have admired for so many years?" the Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, recently visiting Greenland, pointed out to the US Trump administration.
Denmark’s PM Stands Up to Trump’s USA and for Arctic Security "When you demand to take over a part of the Kingdom of Denmark’s territory. When we are met by pressure and threats from our closest ally. What are we to believe about the country we have admired for so many years?" the Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, recently visiting Greenland, pointed out to the US Trump administration.
The Most Important Point Drowned In a Stream of Money and Officers Comment: In May 2023, a proud and offensive leader of the Defense Commission presented their recommendations. However, the perhaps most important point was drowned in a stream of money, personnel, and ability to execute. The consequences reached far into the Armed Forces' long-term plan. We are paying for that today.
Norway and the UK Strengthens Defense Cooperation: “A New Era” Norway and the UK are coming together to create a new and extensive agreement to strengthen defense and security cooperation between the two countries.
The Defense Analysis 2025: We Can No Longer Assume That the US Is Our Most Important Ally Comment: Lately, we have been bombarded by security policy analyses. They all share some common traits, though. One is that Donald Trump has changed the security policy situation faster than the ink can dry on the pages of the reports. Most recently, it is the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI) that struggles to keep up with the US chaos pilot.
Greenlandic Top Politician On Trump: "You Cannot Own or Control, but Have a Partnership" Tromsø (High North News): "We need stability now," says Aaja Chemnitz, Greenlandic Member of the Danish Parliament. Together with Alaska Senator Lisa Murkowski, she states that the US must consider Greenland an ally, not an asset.
Norway, Finland, and Sweden: Discussing New Cooperation Structure in the High North Tromsø (High North News): State secretaries of Norway, Finland, and Sweden have been mandated to start designing a new framework for northern Nordic cooperation. "We have a shared interest in finding a joint answer to this," says the Norwegian Foreign Minister.
Finland Welcomes New EU Commissioner: Focus On Regions Bordering Russia The European Commission Executive Vice-President, Raffaele Fitto, is visiting Finland this week. "We will discuss the situation in Eastern and Northern Finland and ways to boost vitality," says Petteri Orpo, the Finnish Prime Minister.
Finnish Soldiers Train NATO Allies in Winter Survival Skills In Lapland, northern Finland, where temperatures regularly drop below -20 degrees Celsius, instructors from the Finnish Defence Forces’ Jaeger Brigade is running a winter warfare course for military personnel from USA, Canada, France and Great Britain.
Closing the Gap Between Europe and North America: The Defense Year 2024 In a review of the Arctic 2024, researchers shed light on the most substantial developments in the Arctic in the year that passed. The past 12 months have reconfirmed the importance of the Arctic as a site of deep military significance, says researcher Thomas Hughes, highlighting how Europe and North America have attempted to close the North Atlantic gap in the changed geopolitical situation.
I Was Going to Write About Hope, but the Danes Threw a Spanner in My Keyboard Comment: I was going to write something peaceful heading into a new Arctic year. Some hopeful observations despite the brutality that surrounds us. But then the Danish Security and Intelligence Service fired some early New Year fireworks into my keyboard.
Finland to Organize EU Leaders Summit in Lapland “Europe has to take greater responsibility for its own security," says Finland's PM Petteri Orpo. This weekend, he will host minister colleagues from EU countries and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy in Northern Finland, near the border with Russia.
Climate Change as a Threat Multiplier: “Directly Impacts Norwegian Security” Researchers at the Norwegian Defense Research Establishment (FFI) have researched how climate change can function as a threat multiplier for security in the Arctic. They emphasize that uncertainty is the biggest security threat and that they cannot observe any major changes in the security situation in the north so far.
"China's Intentions in The Arctic Are Unclear - And That is a Growing Concern" Reykjavik (High North News): “When I first attended the Arctic Circle Assembly conference, the tone and content were different than now. The focus on security in the Arctic has become much stronger", says Admiral Rob Bauer, head of NATO's military committee. Now he warns about China's unclear, two-faced and increasing activity in the Arctic and the worrying Sino-Russian ties.
The Norwegian Government Proposes a NOK 19 Billion Increase in Defense Spending With the proposed increase, the Norwegian defense budget for 2025 will total NOK 110 billion. A main priority is to make the current defense structure work with more ammunition, better preparedness, and more people. The proposed budget also includes increased investments in material, property and construction.
First Canada-Nordic Strategic Dialogue: "Key to a Safer Future For Us in The Region" In the very first strategic dialogue between Canada and the Nordic countries, which took place in New York and Nunavut, Canada, the six Arctic nations agreed to face the ever-changing geopolitical challenges together by strengthening Canada's security relationship with Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Iceland.
De-escalation Is Best Achieved With Credible Deterrence and Defense, says Finnish Major General Oslo (High North News): "The Russians only respect strength and determination," says Sami Nurmi, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy in the Finnish Defence Forces. He comments on the planned NATO forward land force in Finland and underlines the importance of allied competence in operating in Arctic conditions.
Outgoing NATO Secretary General: “The Job Did Not Turn Out as Imagined” Oslo (High North News): "The world has become more dangerous and unpredictable. The good news is that NATO has become stronger," says outgoing NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg (65), at his last official meeting in Norway as head of NATO.
Nordic Cooperation in the North: Norwegian-Finnish-Swedish Summit to Be Held in Bodø Next week, Norway's PM Jonas Gahr Støre will welcome Finland's President Alexander Stubb and Sweden's PM Ulf Kristersson to Bodø, Northern Norway. The three will discuss the opportunities for deeper civilian and military collaboration on the Cap of the North.
