US and Norway Tested New American Precision Weapon in Northern Norway American and Norwegian forces recently conducted a successful test of Quicksink, a new precision weapon, on a maritime target off Andøya in Northern Norway. "A clear example of how we work with trusted allies to bring new capabilities into play," says US Air Force Colonel Scott Gunn.
Denmark and Greenland's Message to the US: Any Attempt at Interference is Unacceptable Americans linked to US President Donald Trump are conducting influence operations in Greenland, the Danish Broadcasting Corporation reported on Wednesday. The same day, the top US diplomat in Denmark was summoned by the Danish Foreign Ministry.
Trump Places Greenland Under US Northern Command Greenland is now shifted from the US European Command area of responsibility to the US Northern Command area of responsibility. The change will strengthen the defense of the US homeland and contribute to deepening relationships with Arctic allies, according to Pentagon’s chief spokesperson.
Formidable Shield 2025: "One of NATO's Most Important Deterrence Exercises This Year" Today, around 2,500 soldiers from ten NATO nations began a highly relevant air and missile defense exercise at Andøya, Northern Norway. "The war in Ukraine shows the significance of being able to protect the airspace," says spokesperson at the Norwegian Joint Headquarters.
Formidable Shield 2025: "One of NATO's Most Important Deterrence Exercises This Year" Today, around 2,500 soldiers from ten NATO nations began a highly relevant air and missile defense exercise at Andøya, Northern Norway. "The war in Ukraine shows the significance of being able to protect the airspace," says spokesperson at the Norwegian Joint Headquarters.
“The US Can Become More Unpredictable on Climate Issues in the Arctic Council Than Russia” The Kingdom of Denmark’s Arctic Council chairship program form a good basis for further cooperation between the eight Arctic states. However, engaging the Trump administration in the council’s work on climate change could be particularly challenging, says FNI researcher.
Our High North Neighbor, Greenland Op-ed: US Army Veteran and Historian Mike Thornton looks at the history of Greenland amid increased US interest in the Arctic island.
Arctic Guardian 2025: Multilateral Exercise on Maritime Emergency Response off Northern Norway The exercise, which gathers coast guard resources from the seven Western Arctic states, is underway. "In a changing Arctic, it is crucial that we train together, build trust, and understand each other's capabilities," says the Commander of Norway's Coast Guard.
Increase in Satellites Pollutes Our Night Sky and Atmosphere, Says Researcher Bodø (High North News): Space activities are increasing at an exponential pace, also above the Arctic. From about 2,000 satellites in 2015 to 12,000 today, satellites represent significant light pollution of the Arctic and global sky. "If the sky for our children and grandchildren is a sky of satellites, they would be losing the connection with the universe," says Canadian legal scholar Michael Byers to HNN.
"The Important Thing is that the Allied Air Operations Center is Actually Placed in Norway” Several regional NATO headquarters responsible for military operations are to be established in the Nordic countries. "In Norway, the debate about the regional air headquarter has revolved around its location. We have seen too little of what this entails in a comprehensively Nordic and allied framework," says Professor Håkon Lunde Saxi at the Norwegian Defence Command and Staff College.
The US Steps Back From Arctic Science, Paves Way for China Six weeks into Donald Trump’s presidential term has seen major cuts and mass firings across the board. The US Arctic research community is now facing imminent cutbacks at a dire expense for the entire region. The void left by the US may be filled by other non-Arctic actors looking for a way in, such as China.
Joint Viking 2025: 10,000 Soldiers From 9 Nations Exercise Defending Northern Norway This year's largest military exercise in Norway kicked off on Monday. Norwegian forces are now practicing on countering military threats in the North – reinforced by allies from Western Europe and North America. "Even more important in light of today’s uncertain security situation," says Deputy Commander of Norway's Joint Headquarters.
Joint Viking 2025: 10,000 Soldiers From 9 Nations Exercise Defending Northern Norway This year's largest military exercise in Norway kicked off on Monday. Norwegian forces are now practicing on countering military threats in the North – reinforced by allies from Western Europe and North America. "Even more important in light of today’s uncertain security situation," says Deputy Commander of Norway's Joint Headquarters.
US, UK and Norwegian Air Forces Exercise in the High North: F-35s Integrate With B-52 Fighters, bombers, and surveillance aircraft from the US, the UK, and Norway are now exercising to protect the High North. "The Arctic is a critical region for our collective security and global stability," says the commander of US Air Forces in Europe.
Nordic Defense Cooperation is Becoming Even More Tangible The Nordic Ministers of Defense will strengthen operational cooperation, enhance military mobility, and initiate drone collaboration. "These measures concretize the Nordic countries' efforts to be able to carry out joint military operations if deterrence fails," says professor.
Increased Oil Drilling in Alaska on the Agenda With New Trump Administration The oil and gas industry plays a crucial role in the economy of Alaska, but many Alaskans are also torn on the issue of increased oil drilling, says longtime journalist in Alaska, Larry Persily. He shares his view on what a new Trump administration will mean for oil and gas development in the US' Arctic state.
Norway Explores Strategic Partnership With France, the UK, Germany, and the US on Frigates Norway is to acquire new frigates in a strategic partnership with a close ally possessing coinciding strategic interests and an eye for the High North. France, the UK, Germany, and the US have now been selected as possible partner countries, says the Norwegian MoD.
The Problem Is Not What Donald Trump Says He’ll Do, but That We Don’t Know What He’ll Do Kilpisjärvi (Comment): The problem is not what Donald Trump says he'll do. The problem is that no one knows what he's going to do. That will affect the Arctic not just for the four following years but perhaps forever.
The Problem Is Not What Donald Trump Says He’ll Do, but That We Don’t Know What He’ll Do Kilpisjärvi (Comment): The problem is not what Donald Trump says he'll do. The problem is that no one knows what he's going to do. That will affect the Arctic not just for the four following years but perhaps forever.
The Problem Is Not What Donald Trump Says He’ll Do, but That We Don’t Know What He’ll Do Kilpisjärvi (Comment): The problem is not what Donald Trump says he'll do. The problem is that no one knows what he's going to do. That will affect the Arctic not just for the four following years but perhaps forever.
US Military Convoy Exits Sweden and Enters Finland in 550-Mile Journey in the North Several hundred US soldiers and military vehicles have moved from Narvik to Finland through Northern Sweden for Immediate Response 24. "This is the first time Sweden conducts host nation support as a NATO ally. Through supporting our allies from the US forces, we support the entire alliance's operative ability," says Commander of the Swedish Northern Military Region.
Practicing Norway’s Role as a Transit Country for Allied Forces Going to Sweden and Finland This week, a US ship with military personnel will arrive in Narvik, Northern Norway, in connection with the military exercise Immediate Response 2024. Several hundred American vehicles and containers will be unloaded in the Port of Narvik to be further transported via Sweden to an exercise in Finland.
Lavrov Stands Firm on Maritime Border Agreements With Norway and the US A call has been made in the Russian State Duma for the termination of agreements on maritime delimitation with Norway in the Barents Sea and the US in the Bering Sea. "One must look at the big picture," responds MFA Sergey Lavrov, pointing to the agreements' benefits to Russia.
New Agreement Gives US Access to Four New Military Areas in the North Norway and the US agree to expand their defense cooperation agreement to include new agreed areas. In Northern Norway, these are Andøya and Bardufoss air stations, Setermoen garrison, as well as a mountain complex in Evenes municipalty. The Norwegian parliament must approve the agreement.
Freyr Battery Prepares Moving the Company to the U.S.: “The U.S. Is the Future,” Says Chairperson Freyr Battery is organizing an extraordinary general meeting on December 15th to vote on whether the company should be redomiciled from Luxemburg to the U.S.
Sweden and the US Signs Defense Cooperation Agreement Sweden and the USA's newly signed defense cooperation agreement outlines that US forces will have unimpeded access to 17 military bases on Swedish soil. Four of these are in Northern Sweden. The agreement also opens up for wide US authority and criminal jurisdiction.
Canada Acquires P-8A Poseidon Maritime Patrol Aircraft Canada has entered into an agreement with the US government to acquire fourteen P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, with the first delivery in 2026. This opens up new opportunities for Arctic cooperation, says the Chief of the Norwegian Air Force.
Alaska Senator Murkowski With New Push for US Ratification of the Law of the Sea Convention The ratification of the UN Convention of the Law of the Sea is critical to the US' interests, especially in the Arctic, says Lisa Murkowski, US Senator for Alaska. Now, she and a group of colleagues have put forward a new proposal to get the Senate to finally approve the convention.
The Battery Company Freyr Cuts in Giga Arctic Investment The battery company Freyr has decided to cut costs in building the battery factory in Mo i Rana, Northern Norway, next year. "The news of Freyr putting the factory building for battery production on hold in Mo i Rana is sad and severe," says the Chair of the County Government, Sven Øien Eggesvik.
Frequent Submarine Calls in Tromsø – New US Nuclear Submarine on Logistical Stop On Monday, the American submarine USS Washington docked in the Port of Grøtsund, Tromsø in Northern Norway. This is the eighth allied submarine visit at the port this year – and takes place shortly after the call of USS Florida, as well as the French submarine FNS Améthyste.
Can a Rambling Democracy Denier and Sex Offender Ensure Our Freedom? (Commentary) Imagine a head of state who believes Vladimir Putin to be intelligent, who refuses to support Ukraine, and who does not believe in democracy as a form of governance, in addition to having to pay NOK 50 million in compensatory and punitive damages.
USA Demonstrated New Weapons System – Wanted To Deter Russia Without Escalating This week, American special forces have been training in Northern Norway. On Wednesday, they performed the European premiere of a new weapons system at Andøya. The exercise is clearly aimed at Russia and intended to deter expansionist behavior.
