Nordic Children Sleep Outside in Sub-Zero Temperatures Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): Sleeping outside in the wintry cold may seem exotic, seen from the outside. In Nordic kindergartens, it is a generations-long practice.
Psychological Warfare and a Mental Invasion That Dominates Our Lives Comment: He digs into our heads without being invited. A mental invasion that commands attention in conversations where people meet. I am talking about Donald Trump's psychological warfare. A form of terrorism that impacts us all, yet is never on the negotiation table when our most powerful leaders meet.
Wants to Strengthen Indigenous Health Across the Arctic Indigenous organisations in the Arctic are joining forces to establish a new health forum to strengthen cooperation on health challenges in the North. "Indigenous Peoples are always vulnerable to geopolitical challenges," says Gunn Britt Retter of the Saami Council.
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.
Several Meetings Between Greenland, Denmark and the US This Week This week, the Danish foreign minister and his Greenlandic counterpart will meet with the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, as well as the US Vice President in Washington, D.C. In addition, several American senators are traveling to Copenhagen to meet members of the Danish parliament.
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.
Historic Defense Agreement between Norway and the UK Norway and the UK have signed an extensive defense agreement. One of the central points in the agreement involves British forces having a greater role in the defense of Norway.
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.
Finland Seeks Allied Cooperation on Space-Based Surveillance in the High North Finland is building up satellite surveillance capability and wants to join forces with allies to strengthen collective defense, said Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen at NATO's Arctic Space Forum. Key Finnish and Swedish space actors have already signed a letter of intent on cooperation.
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.
We Are in a Squeeze Between the EU and Russia Comment: The Northern Norwegian business sector is in a double bind. The fisheries negotiations with Russia are at a standstill, while cod quotas are continuing to decrease. The EU is closing its doors on the ferroalloy industry. In total, this impacts thousands of jobs in the North.
Norwegian Minister of Fisheries: “Fisheries Negotiations With Russia Are Demanding” Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): After Norway's introduction of EU sanctions against two Russian shipping companies, the Norwegian-Russian fisheries negotiations have come to a halt after 50 years of cooperation. "It is demanding," says Minister of Fisheries, Marianne Sivertsen Næss (Labor). The parties are now working toward a meeting in the Joint Norwegian-Russian Fisheries Commission, but Næss says they are no closer to setting a date for negotiations.
Nordic Council Prizes to Faroese Literature and Film This year's Nordic Council literature prize has been awarded to the Faroese writer Vónbjørt Vang for the poetry collectionSvørt orkidé. The council's film prize was also awarded to a Faroese production for the very first time:Seinasta paradís á jørð.
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.
Major German Maritime Live-Fire Exercise off Andøya, Northern Norway Ten German naval vessels are now practicing live-fire with missiles, torpedoes, and artillery off the coast of Andøya in Northern Norway. This is the German Navy's largest firing exercise in decades.
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 Tide: British Royal Marines Practiced Amphibious Operations in the High North The British Royal Navy recently practiced deploying, protecting, and resupplying special forces in Troms, Northern Norway, within the framework of the Joint Expeditionary Force.
NATO's New Air Operations Center Opened: Officially Part of the Alliance's Command Bodø (High North News): NATO's third Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) has officially been inaugurated after a rapid build-up. The headquarters will participate in a major NATO exercise already this month, says the CAOC Commander to HNN.
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.
NATO’s New Northern Land Command Inaugurated in Finland On Friday, NATO’s Multi-Corps Land Component Command Northwest officially opened in Mikkeli, Finland. "The MCLCC-NW will strengthen NATO’s defense in the High North and increase security in Finland," says the Finnish Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen.
NATO’s New Northern Land Command Inaugurated in Finland On Friday, NATO’s Multi-Corps Land Component Command Northwest officially opened in Mikkeli, Finland. "The MCLCC-NW will strengthen NATO’s defense in the High North and increase security in Finland," says the Finnish Minister of Defense Antti Häkkänen.
Norwegian Armed Forces and the Russian FSB Met for Border Cooperation Talks On Tuesday, the chiefs of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters and the Russian FSB’s Border Directorate for the Western Arctic Region met in Kirkenes. "This meeting activity is important as one of the very few remaining communication channels between Norway and Russia," says the NJHQ Chief.
Russia’s Violations of Norwegian and Allied Airspace: “Sign of Desperation,” Says Professor Russia has violated Norway's airspace in the North three times this year, as well as the airspace of several other NATO countries. This suggests that the war in Ukraine is going much worse than Moscow wants to admit, says Professor Tormod Heier at the Norwegian Defense University College.
Norway to Monitor Airborne Radioactivity in Svalbard From October 1st, the Norwegian Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority will take over the operations of an air filter station near Ny-Ålesund in Svalbard. “This will be particularly important for nuclear preparedness in the north,” says section leader in the agency.
70 Homes Will Be Removed From the Market in Svalbard In December this year, 70 homes will be removed from the rental market in Longyearbyen due to the risk of avalanches. The decision has elicited despair among the affected stakeholders.
Norway’s Army Chief: No Practical Indications That the US Is Less Interested in Norway Tromsø, Northern Norway (High North News): Donald Trump has created uncertainty around the US security guarantee, but the practical defense cooperation with the Americans is stable, according to the Chief of the Norwegian Army. Next year's major winter exercise in the High North is expected to have significant US participation.
The Relocation of Kiruna: "The State Need to Contribute With More Land and Economic Support" The ongoing relocation of the city of Kiruna in Northern Sweden has reached a critical point at which LKAB and the municipality ask the state for significant financial support and release of a larger area in order for the mining operations to continue.
Extensive Training Activity in the High North With US Carrier Strike Group The USS Gerald R. Ford Carrier Strike Group has recently been training with Norwegian and other allied forces off the coast of Northern Norway. "Our partnership with US forces is close despite changes in US security policy," says the Chief of the Norwegian Joint Headquarters.
Norway's 2025 Election: The Election In Which Half of Norway Was Overlooked and Forgotten Comment: The Norwegian parliamentary election of 2025 will go down as the election in which half of Norway was ignored and forgotten. That is both striking and scary. The gentle attempts at putting the High North on the agenda were arrogantly dismissed.
Norway Plans to Establish State Preparedness Hub Near the Border With Russia: "An Important Measure" The Norwegian government wants to strengthen preparedness and state presence in Eastern Finnmark, Northern Norway, with a new hub. This will boost Norway's ability to manage crises in the High North, believes Professor Natalia Andreassen.
Fears Accumulation of Car Wrecks at the Norwegian Border With Russia The Finnmark Police fear that the Storskog Border Station will turn into a car cemetery. They have asked the Norwegian Public Roads Administration for advice.
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.
Strengthens the Monitoring of GPS Interference in the High North The Norwegian government is establishing a new office for the Norwegian Communications Authority in Tromsø, Northern Norway. "It is important to strengthen security and preparedness in the High North through the increased presence of the authorities," says the Minister of Digitalisation and Public Governance.
Sweden to Host NATO's Logistics Headquarters in the Nordic Region The Swedish city of Enköping is to host NATO's regional logistics headquarters. The establishment is part of the new military division of responsibilities in the Nordic region, and will support troop movements in NATO’s Northwest Area of Operations, says Professor Håkon Lunde Saxi at the Norwegian Defence Command and Staff College.
Photo Series: Join Us in Old Kiruna Kiruna, Northern Sweden (High North News): The city of Kiruna in Northern Sweden is being relocated to make room for mining under the city, leading the ground to sink and form cracks, which again poses a risk to the building and the inhabitants. Join High North News on a tour of the old and now-abandoned mining city.
Spectacular Views: Kiruna Church Moves to a New City Kiruna, Northern Sweden (High North News): Mining towns are a breed of their own. When the mines were empty, people moved on. In Kiruna, however, the municipality and LKAB see it differently. The city itself has relocated to make room for the iron ore mine. Yesterday, an over 100-year-old church was on the move.
Norway's Minister of Defense: The Establishment of the NATO Air Operations Centre Is on Track Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): The temporary premises of NATO's third Combined Air Operations Center will be ready at the Armed Forces' base in Bodø already in October. Norwegian Defense Minister Tore O. Sandvik commends the progress.
Norway's New Arctic Strategy Will Be Launched This Month Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): The Norwegian government will present Norway's new Arctic strategy in Kirkenes later in August, Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide (Labor) tells HNN. The cooperation with Sweden and Finland will, among other things, be of greater significance.
The Norwegian Ministry of Public Security Responds to Preparedness Criticism The Norwegian government’s new preparedness proposal for the High North falls short, expert believes. The Ministry of Public Security is now responding to the criticism. "The government is working on further measures," says State Secretary Kristine Kallset.
Professor: Norway’s New Preparedness Proposal for the High North Falls Short The Norwegian Government recently announced the development of a national preparedness action zone in the northernmost counties of Northern Norway. This is good in principle, but the government is late and is preparing a too small an investment, believes Professor Odd Jarl Borch.
NATO Maritime Task Group on Patrol in the High North The Standing NATO Maritime Group 1 is currently operating off the coast of Northern Norway. The group is patrolling and conducting anti-submarine activities to protect critical sea lines of communication.
High Noon 2025: Northern Debate on Svalbard, Tax Cuts, Norway Seen From Russia, and Dictatorship Next week, the debate series High Noon will take place during the True Northern Arts Festival in Northern Norway. This year's edition addresses questions under the headline 'Everything is about security' – and offers strong voices from arts and culture, politics and business, research and journalism, as well as defense.
Addressing the Northern Geography in Major Exhibition The art gallery Havremagasinet in Northern Sweden has filled a whopping 3600 square meters with art created by various artists from the High North. The works offer diverse views of the northern land of the future.
Trump Wants to Pull Troops Out of Europe. To Use Them Against His Own People? Comment: Donald Trump continues to threaten aid for Ukraine. Instead, he sends soldiers against his own people. Whether or not he, as president, is allowed to do so is apparently besides the point.
“Our Goal Is to Maintain the Arctic as a Stable Place” Reitan (High North News): Norway and the Nordic region are about to be placed under NATO's Joint Force Command Norfolk in the US. Its establishment in 2019 was a response to a resurgent Russia operating in the Arctic and the North Atlantic. "Events since have only reinforced and validated the decision to establish the command," says the JFC Norfolk commander.
The Fascists, Autocrats, and Dictators Looking to Ruin Our Democracy Are Creeping Closer Comment: It is not the fear of a military war in the Arctic that frightens me most. It is the increasingly extensive attack on our democracies that keeps me awake at night. The war is already underway and will not be stopped by expanding weapon arsenals.
NATO Secretary General’s Visit to Norway: Increased Focus on the High North Within the Alliance Ramsund and Evenes (High North News): NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte gained in-depth insight into the security situation in the High North when he visited Northern Norway last week. He also got to see how Norwegian and allied forces work together. A very important visit, says Rutte.
NATO Secretary General’s Visit to Norway: Increased Focus on the High North Within the Alliance Ramsund and Evenes (High North News): NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte gained in-depth insight into the security situation in the High North when he visited Northern Norway last week. He also got to see how Norwegian and allied forces work together. A very important visit, says Rutte.
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.
