A Break From the Madness Dear reader. While Donald Trump is wreaking havoc on NATO and the Nordic region, the Northern Norwegian football club Bodø/Glimt provided a much-needed break from great-power politics and threats.
In a Squeeze Between Great Powers Dear reader. The pressure on Greenland is increasing, and the small island community in Svalbard is also beginning to feel the gravity of the situation. Here is the latest news from the High North.
A New Year With the World's Eyes on the Arctic Dear reader. The year 2026 started with a bang, and even we who cover the High North are struggling to keep up with the sudden geopolitical developments. In fact, we find ourselves in a place that is a bit too reminiscent of a fateful February four years ago.
Happy Holidays Dear reader. It might be a bit early for holiday greetings, but this is our final newsletter for the year, so we'll take the chance. This past week has been characterized by Denmark's brutal honesty in its perspective on the USA. We also have an interesting scientist profile and the latest climate research news.
An Uncertain Time Dear reader. The final weeks before Christmas are colored by increased militarization and uncertainty regarding the Norwegian-Russian fisheries negotiations. Yet, underneath all this, important research is still taking place and you can read about it at High North News. Here is the latest news from the North.
The Ripple Effects of the War Dear reader. An update of the EU's Arctic policy could have a major impact on Norway, which is not a member. Here is the latest news from the High North.
The Fight for the Arctic Dear reader. Should we be happy with the status quo or continue to fight for more? This week's newsletter offers ideas and stories from the Arctic in the form of the Arctic Council's latest podcast episode, a unique Finnish mayor, and Greenlandic wolf hybrids. Here is the latest news from the North.
We Went to Greenland When the Noise Had Quieted Down Dear reader. International media have been quiet about Greenland ever since the journalists, who were led in droves by Donald Trump, went back home. We went to Greenland to gauge the mood after the noise had quieted down.
This Way Up! Dear Reader. We proudly present the first Arctic Council podcast, “This Way Up”, a positive innovation from and about the Arctic. If there is one thing we need right now, it is stories from those who live here at a time when cooperation and dialogue are increasingly difficult. Here is the latest news from the high north.
Light in the Polar Night Dear reader. We are pleased to present a new podcast collaboration with the Arctic Council. Arne O. Holm goes viral with his new comment, we have met 11 defense ministers and participated in a debate about security in the High North News. Here is yet another eventful week in the North.
The World May Never Be the Same Again Dear reader. Although China and Russia are both in their own way designated as the greatest threats to Western security, a Finnish colonel believes that the Arctic does not need to fear Putin. The authorities nevertheless warn against Northern Norwegian naivety. Here is the latest news from the North.
Political unrest Dear reader. Unrest is spreading across the High North. The Norwegian state budget was met with criticism, Trump is annihilating US research, and Putin is testing NATO. On the bright side, new establishments are taking place in the North, and the Arctic Council still functions in its impaired ways. Here is the latest news from the Arctic.
Greetings from the Land of Fire and Ice Dear reader. The largest international conference in the Arctic takes place in Reykjavik. High North News is there, pencils sharpened, but first, some insights from the defense-heavy week that passed. Here is the latest news from the North.
Travelogue From "NATO in the North" Inari, Finland: Dear reader. This newsletter comes to you from the deep Finnish woods. Together with commentator Arne O. Holm, journalist Astri Edvardsen, and a lively group of Norwegian, Swedish, and Finnish journalists, I am now heading through Finnmark and Finnish Lapland.
Historic Football Match and the World's Largest Warship Dear reader. The North is where it is all happening. To be more precise: In Northern Norway. This week, High North News takes you on board the world's largest aircraft carrier and to see the first Arctic football team to make the Champions League.
A New Era Dear reader. The slogan 'High North, low tension' has been rendered outdated, according to the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs. And with that, an era comes to a close.
Close Defense Ties Dear reader. Norway keeps facilitating Russian gas, while the world's largest aircraft carrier is once again sailing along the coast of Norway. Here is the latest news from the North.
The New Normal Dear reader. The Norwegian general election has provided the incumbent government with four more years. And both Greenland, Russia and China continue to dominate the news. Here is the latest news from the High North.
Election and Times of Crises Dear reader. The Norwegian parliamentary election is nearing, while the Norwegian-Russian fisheries cooperation is in a crisis. Here is the latest news from the High North.
High North Strategy Marked By Gravity Dear reader. Two weeks before the Norwegian general election, the Norwegian Government launched its High North Strategy. Words such as community, supplier industry, and investment areas keep coming back. But is the strategy enough for the voters in the North? Here is the latest news from the High North.
A Historic Moving Process Dear reader. We are present in the northern Swedish mining town Kiruna to observe a brave, outlandish and historic moving process of an entire city in order to make room for mining. A 115-year-old church, weighing over 600 tonnes, was the icing on the cake. Together with shipping, security policy, climate change and energy, these are the latest news from the Arctic.
A Geopolitical Hotspot Dear reader. The eyes of the world have turned toward the Arctic – for better and for worse. Trump, Putin, Greenland, Arctic shipping, and Russia's shadow fleet are among the topics making the Arctic a geopolitical hotspot. Here is the latest news from the High North.
Welcome to Fall at High North News! Dear reader. We are putting an alarmingly hot summer behind us and directing our gaze toward a fall filled with international security policy, Arctic research, business in the North, and not least, the Norwegian election.
Summer Greetings from High North News Dear reader. We are in the final stretch of the debate series High Noon at the True Northern Arts Festival before the summer holiday. But we are also keeping a close watch on defense and investments in the Arctic. Here is the final newsletter before the holiday.
The End of Arctic Exceptionalism? Dear reader. An ice-cold wind is blowing through international cooperation. Can the Nordics stand together against the pressure from outside forces, along with their European allies? Here are the top stories from the North.
The Arctic Under Pressure Dear reader. NATO is strengthened in the Arctic, but hybrid warfare is already underway. Russian gas is still flowing into Europe, and the EU is increasingly interested in what happens at the border with a belligerent neighbor. Here are the latest news from the North.
A Geopolitical Hotspot Dear reader. No sooner has the NATO chief left the High North than a new delegation from the alliance is in place. In the meantime, Ukraine's bombs have fallen just a few miles from NATO's borders with Russia in the North. But good things are also happening, such as culture and human encounters. Here are the latest news from the High North.
Life In Borderland Kirkenes, Northern Norway: Dear reader. "The High North is Norway's most important strategic investment area," chanted the authorities. But the people clinging on to maintain a settlement on the border with Russia's nuclear weapons do not see any signs of that.
Diplomatic Acrobatics Dear reader. On Monday, the eight Arctic states "gathered" for what is referred to as the most important meeting in the Arctic this year. Denmark and Greenland have taken over the chairship of the Arctic Council after surviving on diplomatic acrobatics for two years. HNN was present when the baton changed hands.
Deterrence and Doubt Dear reader. While NATO practices massive air defense off the coast of Northern Norway, the US first and former Arctic Ambassador advocates for keeping the US in the alliance. "The demands for analyses of the security policy situation is enormous," says Commentator Arne O. Holm.
An Uncertain Future Dear reader. Denmark's takeover of the Arctic Council is just around the corner, and there is just as much tension involved in this transition as the last, if not more. This time, Trump plays the wild card role instead of Putin.
Happy Easter! Dear reader. The political situation in the US continues to create ripple effects far beyond its own borders, particularly financially. Commentator Arne O. Holm reacts to financial advisors giving investment tips to people without a dollar to spare. But there is also good news from the North – Denmark's priorities for the chairship of the Arctic Council put Indigenous and Arctic people first.
Like an Old Spy Novel Dear reader. Our new Arctic reality is like straight out of a good old spy novel. There are shady oligarchs, covert operations at sea, and hasty new cooperations mixed with rearmament and nuclear rattling. Is the Arctic exceptionalism done and dusted?
New Alliances Dear reader. We have woken up to different news stories every day. News stories become obsolete at a record-breaking pace and are dominated by Trump's unmanageable antics. Now, the Nordics are working to stabilize the situation. Here is, hopefully, the latest news from the North.
An Arctic Reality Check Dear reader. Just one month into Donald Trump's presidential term, the world is turned on its head while looking for solutions to the craters making up the 78-year-old's footprint. Here is the latest news seen from the North.
Time to Grab the Wheel Ourselves? Dear reader. We are bombarded by security policy from east and west. The threat situation in the North changes almost daily based on the great powers' latest statements. Could it be time we reclaim control? Nevertheless, here is the latest news from the North.
The Conflicts Are Lining Up Dear reader. The war has already broken out in the North in the form of hybrid warfare. At the same time, the Arctic has been facing a trade war since Donald Trump entered the White House. Here is the latest news seen from the North.
In the Shadow of Great Powers Dear reader. A storm is brewing in our Arctic region—threats of punitive tariffs, hostile takeovers, the near free flow of Russian gas, and government crises. In the eye of the storm, residents are waiting for the great powers' next move.
The World Seen From The High North Dear reader. This week our world gathers in northern Norway for political debates, dissemination of research, new knowledge and, not least, to chat with acquaintances. That Donald Trump is a hot topic comes as no surprise. Here is the latest news from the High North.
Trump's Arctic Dear reader. Nearly everything can be tied to geo or security politics in the North. Four new years with Donald Trump (78) in the driver's seat of the world's most powerful country will also impact the region.
The Resource Race Dear reader. Russian gas is further sanctioned, while the West works toward its own production of fossil fuel. And Donald Trump's statements about taking over Greenland continue to impact the news while investment in civil preparedness decreases.
2025 – An Arctic Dystopia? Dear reader. The shiny new year started on a rough note! We barely awoke from the holiday food coma before President-elect Trump threatened to take Greenland by force and make Canada USA's 51st state. In the meantime, the incumbent president's last acts are about protecting the Arctic climate.
Happy Holidays From High North News Dear High North News reader! The last newsletter of the year comes with a clear security focus and thus summarizes the year we are now leaving behind. And probably also what lies ahead.
Norwegian Launch-Pad for China Newsletter: Dear reader. The holidays are nearing, but the HNN editorial staff is still in office and ready with the latest news from the North. Commentator Arne O. Holm writes about how Norway's deep-sea mining plans might have functioned as a launch-pad for China. Also, read about Canada's new Arctic strategy, Arctic Ocean research, as well as plans for a new and greener steel plant in Northern Sweden.
Hope in the Darkness Dear reader. In the middle of a pitch-black, political world, Commentator Arne O. Holm brings us hope from the border with Russia. We write about fisheries agreements, closer security cooperation, climate, industry, and culture, and we are naturally continuing our coverage of Russian gas. Here are the latest news from the North.
Cracks in the Nordic Community Dear reader. Finland withdraws from the Barents Euro-Arctic Council, and the Swedish mining company LKAB postpones its green transition. We are experiencing a shift in the North, but toward what? Read the newsletter to learn more.
The Grip Tightens Around Svalbard Dear reader. While we're waiting for the Svalbard white paper to be adopted, a tourism tax proposal has been sent for comment. Is Longyearbyen about to become a state "Company Town," asks Commentator Arne O. Holm. We also cover climate, industry and fisheries, Trump policies in Alaska, and, of course, Russian gas.
Trump, NATO, the Arctic and Russia: What Now, Arctic? Dear reader. What does Trump want with the Arctic? And what does Russia want with Svalbard? And should Norway leave the seabed alone? Learn more in this week's newsletter. Here are the latest news from and about the North.
The Aftermath Dear reader. While we take a breather after an intense and, if I may say so myself, successful US election watch party in Tromsø, we turn our gaze back to the North, to the Norwegian-Russian fisheries cooperation, the Arctic Council, Russia's battle against sanctions, and research. Here is the week that passed in the North.
Greetings From The Saga Island Dear reader. This newsletter comes to you from Reykjavik, where we are present to cover one of the largest Arctic meeting places: the Arctic Circle Assembly. While you wait, enjoy some news from the fishery industries, security policy, and Arne O. Holm's latest comment on refugee policy. And, of course, we continue to closely follow Russian gas.
