Karsten Friis

Senior Research Fellow

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Dr. Karsten Friis is a Senior Research Fellow in NUPIs Research group on security and defence.

His research area is security and defense policies in Europe, with an emphasis on NATO, the Nordic region, the Arctic, transatlantic relations, intelligence, cyber security and the Western Balkans. He has published and led several major projects on these topics. Friis is also a frequently used commentator in the public discourse - not least in relation to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

Friis is a political scientist with a PhD from the University of Groningen, a Cand. Polit from the University of Oslo and an MSc from the London School of Economics. Friis has been associated with NUPI since 2007. Before that, he was a political adviser to the OSCE Mission to Serbia (2004 to 2007), the OSCE in Montenegro (2001) and in Kosovo (1999). Friis was also part of the EU's negotiating team for the referendum on independence in Montenegro in 2006. In addition, Friis has worked for several years in the Norwegian Armed Forces and served at NATO/KFOR in Kosovo.


Education

2018 PhD, University of Groningen

1998 Cand Polit, Political Science, University of Oslo

1995 Master, International Relations, London School of Economics

 

Work Experience

2007- Senior Research Fellow/Senior Advisor/Advisor, NUPI

2004-2007 Political advisor for OSCE, Serbia/Montenegro

2001-2004 Advisor, the Norwegian Armed Forces

2000-2001 Political advisor, OSCE, Montenegro

1999-2000 Analyst/E-off, NATO/KFOR HQ, Kosovo

1999 OSCE Kosovo Verification Mission

 

Publications All publications

Projects All projects

Events All events

  • How the war in Ukraine has changed the security situation in the Black Sea and the High North
    Event
    Mon 7 Nov 2022
    Time: 14:30 Europe/Oslo | Location: NUPI/Livestream to Facebook and Youtube

    How has the Russian aggression against Ukraine launched in February 2022 changed perceptions of security in the Black Sea region and in the High North?

  • The Military Power Seminar 2022 – Northern-Europe in a changing security landscape
    Event
    Tue 18 Oct 2022
    Time: 08:30 Europe/Oslo | Location: Sentralen, Oslo

    What are the consequences of the changing security landscape for security in the north? At this year’s Military Power Seminar, we invite you to a debate on the important political issues related to security in Norway’s immediate neighbourhood.

  • WEBINAR: Renewed Threats from the High North to the Black Sea. Main FLANKS Conclusions and Findings
    Event
    Thu 5 May 2022
    Time: 17:30 Europe/Oslo | Location: Bucharest

    On Thursday, May 5th 2022, New Strategy Center, in partnership with the Norwegian Institute for International Affairs (NUPI), will organize the online conference ”Renewed Threats from the High North to the Black Sea. Main FLANKS Conclusions and Findings”.

  • Is America turning its back on Europe?
    Event
    Thu 11 Nov 2021
    Time: 11:00 Europe/Oslo | Location: C.J. Hambrosplass 2 D / Livestream to Facebook and Youtube

    The close relations between North America and Europe faced some severe challenges during the Trump presidency.

  • EU's strategic compass
    Event
    Thu 18 Mar 2021
    Time: 09:00 Europe/Oslo | Location: Microsoft teams

    The EU is currently developing a ‘Strategic Compass’ for its security and defense policy. Join this webinar to learn more about the background, the progress, and the challenges the process is facing.

Articles All articles