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Researcher

Karsten Friis

Research Professor
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Contactinfo and files

kf@nupi.no
(+47) 95 29 34 16
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Summary

Dr. Karsten Friis is a Research Professor 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.

Expertise

  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Cyber
  • Foreign policy
  • Europe
  • Governance
  • International organizations
  • The EU
  • United Nations

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

 

Aktivitet

Publications
Publications
Policy brief

Reviving Nordic Security and Defense Cooperation

In the wake of Finland and Sweden’s accessions to NATO, the alliance’s northern military power will be greatly expanded—if the Nordic and Baltic states adequately coordinate to overcome risks such as overstretching and competition. Finland and Sweden’s entry into NATO is rightly hailed as a historic event: It represents the first time in centuries that all the Nordic countries are in a military alliance. As a result, enthusiasm for reinvigorated security and defense cooperation can be felt across the Nordic region. But this path is not straightforward, and the countries in the region face challenges ranging from overstretch to regional grievances to strategic messaging. Despite the fresh enthusiasm, it is worth remembering that the new Nordic defense integration must take place within the larger NATO framework. Finland and Sweden’s formal accession to the alliance represents the beginning of a lengthy process for both countries, and it will take time before they are fully incorporated into all NATO structures. This article discusses some of the opportunities and challenges the two countries and the broader Nordic-Baltic region are facing in this process.

  • Defence
  • NATO
  • The Nordic countries
  • Defence
  • NATO
  • The Nordic countries
Articles
New research
Articles
New research

The Most Important U.S. Election in a Generation

Many Europeans fear a re-election of Trump. But Harris' priorities could also prove challenging for Europe, according to a new NUPI report.
  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Foreign policy
  • Europe
  • North America
  • Conflict
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Publications
Publications
Report

US and UK Elections: Implications for NATO and Northern European Security

How will the outcome of the US election impact security policy in the UK and Northern Europe? The report discusses potential consequences of a victory for Harris and Trump respectively, as well as the new British government's security policy orientation. What does this mean for Norway and Northern Europe?

  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Foreign policy
  • Europe
  • North America
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  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Foreign policy
  • Europe
  • North America
Publications
Publications
Op-ed

Even as war continues, NATO should open the door to defense integration with Ukraine

Ensuring Ukraine prevails on the battlefield will be imperative to securing the European continent. It is time for NATO to get smarter about its Ukraine strategy, including the messaging that articulates that strategy. At the moment, NATO and its constituent members are attempting to walk the line between reassuring Ukraine of NATO countries’ commitments to its security and seeking to avoid escalation into a nuclear confrontation with Russia. Avoiding such escalation is a legitimate concern, but it is not enough to constitute a strategy. What NATO should do instead is steadily build defense and deterrence against Russian aggression in Ukraine by integrating it into its structures step by step. This will mean some degree of Ukrainian integration with NATO, even while Russia’s invasion is ongoing, writes Karsten Friis in this op-ed.

  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Europe
  • Russia and Eurasia
  • Conflict
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  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Europe
  • Russia and Eurasia
  • Conflict
Publications
Publications
Policy brief

NATO: A historical moment in the Nordic-Baltic region

Finland’s membership in NATO on April 4th 2023 represent a watershed moment in Baltic and Nordic history. By entering into a formal military alliance with its neighbours, Finland will be part of a united front of deterrence against Russia, reaching from the High North to the Black Sea. The Baltic countries, which always have felt vulnerable and exposed given their geopolitical location, now have a new and capable ally next door. But what are the concrete implications for Nordic-Baltic security and defence? This is the key question discussed in this article.

  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Europe
  • The Nordic countries
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  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Europe
  • The Nordic countries
Publications
Publications
Op-ed

Militærmaktens plass etter Ukraina

(This op-ed is in Norwegian only): Et nytt Europa som formes etter Ukrainas seier, krever politisk mot og vilje hos europeiske ledere – samt betydelig militærmakt, skriver Karsten Friis.

  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Europe
  • Russia and Eurasia
  • Conflict
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  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Europe
  • Russia and Eurasia
  • Conflict
Articles
News
Articles
News

NUPI på Arendalsuka: Her finner du oss

NUPI inviterer til egne arrangementer under Arendalsuka. I tillegg skal våre eminente forskere delta i en rekke andre paneler. Få med deg hvor du finner oss i denne saken!
  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • International investments
  • Foreign policy
  • Europe
  • Russia and Eurasia
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • The Nordic countries
  • Conflict
  • Fragile states
  • International organizations
  • The EU
Is America turning its back on Europe?
Podcast

Is America turning its back on Europe?

Recent events, such as the ill-prepared evacuation from Afghanistan and the secret negotiation over Australian submarines at the expense of France...

NATO's future at a time of war
Podcast

NATO's future at a time of war

A discussion with the Head of NATO's Policy Planning Unit, Dr Benedetta Berti, about the new security situation in Europe and NATOs new Strategic...

The Ukraine war and the NATO responses in the Baltic and the High North regions
Podcast

The Ukraine war and the NATO responses in the Baltic and the High North regions

On March 24, all Heads of State and Government in NATO met in Brussels for an Extraordinary NATO Summit to discuss NATO's response to the ongoing...

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