Karsten Friis

- 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.
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
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Navigating Breakup: Security realities of freezing politics and thawing landscapes in the Arctic
Publication : Report | 2023Russia’s re-invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 has had immediate and ongoing effects for Arctic security and cooperative governance at both a regio1
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A Governance and Risk Inventory for a Changing Arctic
Publication : Report | 2020Background Paper for the Arctic Security Roundtable at the Munich Security Conference 2020
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The Ukraine war and the NATO responses in the Baltic and the High North regions
Publication : Innsikt og kommentar | 202224. mars møttes NATOs regjeringssjefer i Brussel. for å diskutere krigen i Ukraina. Seniorforsker Karsten Friis snakker i denne podkasten, som er spi1
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Hva betyr EU for sikkerheten i Europa?
Publication : Debatt | 2022(This debate is in Norwegian): I forbindelse med Russlands invasjon av Ukraina, har EU fått betydelig anerkjennelse for sine omfattende og resolutte1
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Krig i en verden av fremmed intelligens
Publication | 2022This 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
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Dealing with the challenge of political warfare in the COVID-19 and Ukraine war context (FLANKS 2)
Research project | 2022 - 2024 (Ongoing)This project will investigate how Nordic and Black Sea Region must be prepared to meet and deal with the challenges posed by political warfare....
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Norway and Poland as actors in a changing security landscape (NORPOLFACTOR)
Research project | 2023 - 2024 (Ongoing)The aim of the project is to develop enhanced knowledge of the security-related challenges, risks and threats Poland and Norway face in their strategic environment in the aftermath of the Russian inva...
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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....
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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...
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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...
Events All events
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How the war in Ukraine has changed the security situation in the Black Sea and the High North
EventMon 7 Nov 2022Time: 14:30 Europe/Oslo | Location: NUPI/Livestream to Facebook and YoutubeHow has the Russian aggression against Ukraine launched in February 2022 changed perceptions of security in the Black Sea region and in the High North?
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The Military Power Seminar 2022 – Northern-Europe in a changing security landscape
EventTue 18 Oct 2022Time: 08:30 Europe/Oslo | Location: Sentralen, OsloWhat 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.
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WEBINAR: Renewed Threats from the High North to the Black Sea. Main FLANKS Conclusions and Findings
EventThu 5 May 2022Time: 17:30 Europe/Oslo | Location: BucharestOn 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”.
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Is America turning its back on Europe?
EventThu 11 Nov 2021Time: 11:00 Europe/Oslo | Location: C.J. Hambrosplass 2 D / Livestream to Facebook and YoutubeThe close relations between North America and Europe faced some severe challenges during the Trump presidency.
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EU's strategic compass
EventThu 18 Mar 2021Time: 09:00 Europe/Oslo | Location: Microsoft teamsThe 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
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Security realities of freezing politics and thawing landscapes in the Arctic
17 Feb 2023How to address Arctic security and governance issues in a region marked by climate change and geopolitical challenges?
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NUPI seminar about NATO and nordic security
17 Jun 2022On 14th June, a group of experts met in Oslo to discuss NATO and Nordic Security.
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The Ukraine war and the NATO responses in the Baltic and the High North regions
24 Mar 2022The World Stage had a chance to talk to NATO General Jörg Vollmer and Lieutenant General Yngve Odlo about the challenges that Russia represents in th1
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Security and defence
3 Jan 2022How can we best handle current and future wars and crises? What kind of threats are we likely to face in the years to come? Who are the future actors1
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Seven new research projects to NUPI
24 Jun 2021Exciting new research on topics ranging from energy and climate, cyber security and vulnerable states will be done by NUPI in the coming years. Seven1