Karsten Friis

Senior Research Fellow

kf@nupi.no
22 99 40 24
(+47) 95 29 34 16
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Dr. Karsten Friis is a Senior Research Fellow in NUPIs Research group on security and defence.

He 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.

Friis' 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 the war against Ukraine.

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

Navigating Breakup: Security realities of freezing politics and thawing landscapes in the Arctic
Publication : Report | 2023
- Karsten Friis
- Elana Wilson Rowe
- Ulf Sverdrup
- Mike Sfraga
- Pavel K. Baev
- Troy J. Bouffard
- Marc Lanteigne
- Marisol Maddox
- Jan-Gunnar Winther
Russia’s re-invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has had immediate and ongoing effects for Arctic security and cooperative governance at both a regio1
A Governance and Risk Inventory for a Changing Arctic
Publication : Report | 2020
- Elana Wilson Rowe
- Ulf Sverdrup
- Karsten Friis
- Geir Hønneland
Background Paper for the Arctic Security Roundtable at the Munich Security Conference 2020
The Ukraine war and the NATO responses in the Baltic and the High North regions
Publication : Innsikt og kommentar | 2022
- Karsten Friis
24. mars møttes NATOs regjeringssjefer i Brussel. for å diskutere krigen i Ukraina. Seniorforsker Karsten Friis snakker i denne podkasten, som er spi1
Hva betyr EU for sikkerheten i Europa?
Publication : Debatt | 2022
- Karsten Friis
(This debate is in Norwegian): I forbindelse med Russlands invasjon av Ukraina, har EU fått betydelig anerkjennelse for sine omfattende og resolutte1
Krig i en verden av fremmed intelligens
Publication | 2022
- Erik Reichborn-Kjennerud
This chapter investigates a number of issues related to the ongoing debates around artificial intelligence and its impact on the future of geopolitic1

Projects All projects

Munich Security Forum - Arctic Security Roundtable (MSF - ASR)
Research project | 2020 - 2023 (Ongoing)
This roundtable is organized by the MSC in cooperation with NUPI and Wilson Centre....
Security policy Conflict Defence Governance Climate Energy International organizations The EU NATO Russia and Eurasia North America Europe The Arctic The Nordic countries Oceans
Transatlantic Security – Challenges and Opportunities
Research project | 2022 - 2023 (Ongoing)
This project will analyze developments in transatlantic security policy. The project will include researchers from all three countries, and the goal is to contribute to a greater understanding of curr...
Security policy Defence Foreign policy NATO Russia and Eurasia North America Europe The Nordic countries
Norway and Great Power Politics – Geopolitics, Technology and Climate (NISP)
Research project | 2022 - 2024 (Ongoing)
Our times are shaped by developments in geopolitical power dynamics, fast-paced technological development and climate change. In this research program NUPI analyses how these developments change the s...
Security policy NATO Defence Climate Foreign policy The Arctic North America Russia and Eurasia The Nordic countries
Cyber security, knowledge and practices (CYKNOW)
Research project | 2021 - 2025 (Ongoing)
CYKNOW will promote better understanding of cyber security, as well as develop novel theoretical and methodological tools for cybersecurity research in particular....
Cyber Security policy Foreign policy Defence Governance Diplomacy International organizations The EU Europe Globalisation
New frameworks for Norwegian security and defence policy (TEOTEK)
Research project | 2019 - 2021 (Completed)
This project aims to employ diverse theoretical perspectives to enhance our understanding of the development of new technology, and its consequences and implications for Norwegian security and defence...
Diplomacy and foreign policy Defence and security Peace, crisis and conflict Global governance Global economy Natural resources and climate Regions Theory and method

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.