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.
US Military Logistics Leadership Visited the Northern Nordic Region Norway, Sweden, and Finland recently welcomed the US Armed Forces logistics leadership for meetings focused on the High North. "We discussed which areas are central in logistics planning for conducting operations in the North," says the deputy commander of the Norwegian Defense Logistical Organisation.
Nordic Defense Ministers Met in Lapland: Updated NORDEFCO With New Agreement New measures are bolstering Nordic defense cooperation. Gathered in Rovaniemi, the Nordic defense ministers signed a revised NORDEFCO Memorandum of Understanding – and discussed stronger joint efforts within air defense and the defense industry.
Nordic Defense Ministers Met in Lapland: Updated NORDEFCO With New Agreement New measures are bolstering Nordic defense cooperation. Gathered in Rovaniemi, the Nordic defense ministers signed a revised NORDEFCO Memorandum of Understanding – and discussed stronger joint efforts within air defense and the defense industry.
Finland Strengthens Cybersecurity in the North With Extensive Exercising Finland is enhancing cybersecurity competence in its northern region. Municipalities and critical infrastructure operators recently participated in a cyber exercise under state auspices. "We gained experience in dealing with many kinds of threats," says Rovaniemi’s Chief Information Officer.
American and Finnish Air Forces Train Together in the High North This week, American and Finnish air forces are co-training in Lapland, Northern Finland. The aim is to strengthen the Finnish Air Force's ability to provide host nation support and develop interoperability with NATO allies.
Russia Wants to Resume Meetings Between Arctic Defense Chiefs “Russia supports resuming the annual meetings of the Chiefs of the Armed Forces in the Arctic states in order to prevent deterioration of the military policy situation in the Arctic”, says Russian Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Nikolay Korchunov.
Biden Will Mean A Lot to the Arctic, But First Trump the Toddler Must Be Kicked Out Commentary: Donald Trump has occupied the White House in Washington D.C. outside the bunkers, discussions abound about how the USA’s relationship with Europe and the Arctic will develop when Trump the Toddler is back out on the street. Overall, expectations are rather measured.
Is This the End of the Arctic Council and Arctic Governance as We Know It? Those of us who deeply care about the Arctic Council and the future of the Arctic should be aware of what is happening and should do our utmost to speak for the values the Arctic Council represents, urges Timo Koivurova, former advisor to the Finnish Chairmanship of the Arctic Council .
The People of the Arctic Deserve Our Full Attention and Opportunity to Develop Now, more than ever, Arctic businesses need to work together, says the new Chair of the Arctic Economic Forum, Heidar Gudjonsson.
Agreement on Arctic Railway Planning and Implementation: "What is happening today brings something new to the table" Finnish Bay Area Development Oy and Sør-Varanger Utvikling development company will enable and accelerate Northeast Passage related infrastructure development by providing modern railway connection from Finland to Kirkenes harbour. "What is happening today brings something new to the table" says Kenneth Stålslett, CEO in Sør-Varanger Utvikling.
With Seven to One Votes, We Hope the Earth Gets Well Soon, Greetings From the Arctic Council The Arctic Council has with seven to one votes decided to wish the Earth a speedy recovery. Or, as the bureaucratic political phrase in Rovniemi goes:A majority of us noted with concern the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming.
Verbal Thunderstorm From Mike Pompeo US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo thundered like an elephant into the Arctic Council MInisterial Meeting in Rovaniemi, Finland Monday. If nerves were racked prior to his speech, they were more than shaky when he left the podium after nearly half an hour.
First Ever Arctic Council Ministerial Meeting Without Joint Declaration Rovaniemi (High North News): "There has been a storm brewing along the way, however, wind makes the ship move forward", Finland’s Foreign Minister Timo Soini said when he opened the 11th Ministerial Meeting of the Arctic Council Tuesday.
What to expect from the 2019 Arctic Council Ministerial Tired of Brexit and Trump? Frustrated by protectionism and extremism? Set your alarm, grab some coffee and wrap yourself in the warm and fuzzy blanket that is Arctic politics on Tuesday. See what happens when the grown-ups are in charge.
U.S. Sought to Remove References to Climate Change From Declaration The Trump administration wanted no reference to climate change or the Paris international climate agreement in the joint statement to be issued in Finland next week, sources tell Washington Post.
Thumbs Down for the Arctic Railway The Finnish-Norwegian working group investigating the idea of an Arctic Railway have not found much to support such a railway, according to the working group report.
Arctic Council Agenda Highlights Biodiversity Officials and delegates of the Arctic Council concluded a series of meetings this week hosted by the University of Lapland in Rovaniemi, Finland to discuss the progress of work under the Finnish Chairmanship.
