White House Draws Up Plans to Acquire Greenland as Trump Revives Territorial Ambitions Donald Trump’s fixation on Greenland has entered a dangerous new phase with the White House actively drawing up acquisition plans, calling it a "national security priority." As U.S. actions in Venezuela reframe what Washington may be willing to do, European allies fear rhetoric is turning into policy. Even prediction markets like Polymarket are betting on Trump’s actions vis-à-vis Greenland.
Danish Intelligence Warns U.S. “Hemispheric Approach” Raises Arctic Security Uncertainty A sharper U.S. focus on its “immediate region” and the hemispheric approach of Washington’s new National Security Strategy has created doubts in Copenhagen about America’s long-term role in the Arctic. Denmark’sOutlook 2025concludes that this strategic shift could leave the region more exposed amid rising Russian and Chinese military activity.
Arctic Receives No Mention in New White House National Security Strategy, But U.S. Polar Engagement Remains The Trump administration’s 2025 National Security Strategy omits a dedicated Arctic section, unlike its 2022 predecessor, but experts say the shift reflects a hemispheric approach—not neglect—with icebreaker acquisitions and the ICE Pact signaling continued U.S. engagement and strategic focus on the North American Arctic.
US, Canada, and Finland Double Down on Joint Icebreaker Effort in DC Meeting The US aims to further revitalize its shipbuilding capacity and Arctic icebreaker fleet under the trilateral ICE Pact. Officials from the three countries met in DC this week to discuss plans for 2026. Earlier this year the pact had resulted in a commitment to construct 11 new icebreakers for the US with participation from shipyards in all three countries.
EU Includes Russian LNG in 19th Sanctions Package; U.S. Focuses on Oil Sector Targets Rosneft and Lukoil In a one-two punch new U.S. and EU sanctions target the Russian energy sector, including oil majors Rosneft and Lukoil, and the country’s LNG sector. After years of debate the EU has agreed on banning imports of Russian LNG by January 1, 2027; a significant escalation of the bloc’s sanctions regime.
Norway’s Parliament Agrees to Give the US Access to New Military Areas in the North On Thursday, the Norwegian parliament voted in favor of giving US forces unimpeded access to several additional military areas, not least in the North. Norway should keep up with Sweden and Finland, recommended the Norwegian Intelligence Service – while others express concern for the policy that aims for low tension in the High North.
Norway’s Parliament Agrees to Give the US Access to New Military Areas in the North On Thursday, the Norwegian parliament voted in favor of giving US forces unimpeded access to several additional military areas, not least in the North. Norway should keep up with Sweden and Finland, recommended the Norwegian Intelligence Service – while others express concern for the policy that aims for low tension in the High North.
USA and Norway: Will Build Satellite Station at Andøya For Early Missile Warning US-Norwegian defense cooperation is taking off, including into space. The countries want to collaborate on space-based missile defense in the Arctic – with a unique base in Andøya, Northern Norway. A key aspect is to develop capabilities for cruise missile early warning in the High North.
US Strategic Bombers Deployed in Northern Sweden Two US Air Force B-1B Lancers are now operating out of Luleå-Kallax Air Base in Northern Sweden. “In these uneasy times when NATO membership is imminent, it is important to have committed partners," says the Chief of the Swedish Air Force, Major General Jonas Wikman.
US Strategic Bombers and Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford Participates In Arctic Challenge Exercise On Monday, American B-1B strategic bombers and USS Gerald R. Ford's air wing co-trained with Norwegian F-35 fighters in the High North. This took place within the framework of the major Nordic live air exercise Arctic Challenge.
US Strategic Bombers and Aircraft Carrier Gerald R. Ford Participates In Arctic Challenge Exercise On Monday, American B-1B strategic bombers and USS Gerald R. Ford's air wing co-trained with Norwegian F-35 fighters in the High North. This took place within the framework of the major Nordic live air exercise Arctic Challenge.
US and Canada to Step up Arctic Capabilities with Over-the-Horizon Radar and Facilities for F35 The US and Canada agreed to step up and accelerate efforts to expand Arctic defense capabilities. The measures include two Over-the-Horizon Radar installations to monitor the northern skies and improved air base facilities ahead of deploying the F35 stealth fighter to the Arctic. However, Canada’s follow-through on some of these measures remains to be seen, experts say.
U.S.-Norwegian Joint Air Operations: "There Should Be No Message of Threat" Military officials from the United States and Norway emphasize that the current US B-1 missions in Norway should be regarded as normal military activity between two close allies.
Continued Disagreements over Climate Change Appear Likely to Kill an Arctic Council Joint Declaration If no compromise is reached, it will be the first time since the Arctic Council's founding that a ministerial meeting has failed to produce a joint decla
No Declaration on Climate Changes will be a Moral Failure Although it is unlikely that the problem of global climate change can be solved in the Arctic Council alone, it would be a moral failure if the Arctic states do not reach agreement on a statement about climate in their joint declaration, expert says.
A Sign of a Conflict to Come or Tempest in a Teacup? Heather Exner-Pirot would not characterize the disagreement over NWP as a conflict at all. "Wishful thinking" is Robert Huebert's reply.
A Sign of a Conflict to Come or Tempest in a Teacup? Heather Exner-Pirot would not characterize the disagreement over NWP as a conflict at all. "Wishful thinking" is Robert Huebert's reply.
