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The Nordic countries

The Nordic countries are among the most affluent in the world, and represent a stabil and well-functioning part of a changing Europe.

Nordic cooperation on foreign and security policy is the core in NUPI's research on Nordic issues. Important questions are how the Nordic countries' different alliance policies affect their ability to cooperate in practice, and what possibilities the Nordic countries have as a block in international politics.
Gine Rønne Bolling
Researchers

Gine Rønne Bolling

Junior Research Fellow

Gine R. Bolling is a junior research fellow in the Research group on security and defence. She graduated with an MSc in Politics of Conflict, Rig...

  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Foreign policy
  • Europe
  • The Arctic
  • The Nordic countries
  • The EU
  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Foreign policy
  • Europe
  • The Arctic
  • The Nordic countries
  • The EU
Articles
New research
Articles
New research

The Impact of the Ukraine Conflict on Norwegian Energy Dynamics

Norway should establish an energy policy that makes the green transition less painful. But while the Ukraine war has accelerated the EU's renewable ambitions, it may have also bought Norway more time to adapt, according to a new NUPI report.
  • Foreign policy
  • Europe
  • Russia and Eurasia
  • The Nordic countries
  • Conflict
  • Climate
  • Energy
  • The EU
Publications
Publications

Heimevernet og forsvaret av Norge: Skjerpet trusselbilde, uforløst potensial

I forsvaret av Norge er Heimevernet (HV) en vital del av grunnmuren. Styrken er Forsvarets største, geografisk mest spredte, og har samtidig ansvaret for det bredeste spekteret av oppgaver – i fred, krise og væpnet konflikt. HV leverer mye effekt – og har et uutnyttet potensial til å levere enda mer – for en relativt sett billig penge. Likevel har styrkens andel av Forsvarssektorens samlede driftsbudsjett falt, fra 3,8 % i 2015, til 3,1 % i budsjettet for 2024 – en mulig indikasjon på at styrken ikke er høyt prioritert når det norske forsvarsbudsjettet økes. Dette forskningsnotatet gir en kort beskrivelse HVs ansvar og oppgaver, og peker på utviklingstrekk som vil kunne påvirke disse i nær fremtid. Notatet illustrerer gapet mellom oppgavene, de vedtatte ambisjonene om videreutvikling, og ressursene som blir stilt til rådighet. I forlengelsen av dette svekkes hele samfunnets motstandsdyktighet i en tid hvor usikkerheten er større enn på lenge. Rapporten peker på fire konkrete tiltak som ved hjelp av en relativt moderat budsjettøkning vil kunne utnytte det latente utviklingspotensialet i HV-strukturen og gi betydelig og umiddelbar effekt på Forsvarets samlede evne til å levere beredskap og sikkerhet overalt, alltid – i fred, krise og i krig.

  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • Europe
  • The Nordic countries
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  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • Europe
  • The Nordic countries
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Research Project
2024 - 2027 (Ongoing)

Politics and Security in the Arctic (POPSARC)

At a time marked by major international turbulence – war in Europe, the breakdown of established diplomatic fora, the entry of new actors and stakeholders – there is an urgent need for also understand...

  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Cyber
  • Regional integration
  • Diplomacy
  • Foreign policy
  • Europe
  • The Arctic
  • The Nordic countries
  • Governance
  • International organizations
  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Cyber
  • Regional integration
  • Diplomacy
  • Foreign policy
  • Europe
  • The Arctic
  • The Nordic countries
  • Governance
  • International organizations
Publications
Publications
Scientific article

The defence of northern Europe: new opportunities, significant challenges

With Finland and Sweden joining NATO, the Nordics will be united for the first time in a military alliance encompassing not only northern Europe but also the broader transatlantic region. It will eventually fortify northern European security, but several obstacles must be overcome first. NATO has done a formidable job since 2014 in updating its defence plans, cumulating in the Deterrence and Defence of the Euro-Atlantic Area (DDA) family of plans approved in Vilnius 2023. Now Finland and Sweden need to be incorporated into these plans. A more challenging task is to implement NATO's New Force Model which is tremendously ambitious. Finland and Sweden's contributions will be important, but new investments must be made. NATO's Command Structure is yet to be fully reformed and fitted to the DDA. Joint Force Command Norfolk must urgently be staffed, without undue politicization in NATO. Nordic defence buildup can draw on regional cooperation in particular in five areas: in strengthening the area's command design through functional double-hatted headquarters; developing close air power cooperation through e.g. a Combined Joint Air Operations Centre; strengthening total defence cooperation across borders and expanding logistical infrastructure; establishing joint intelligence task forces; and joint training and exercises. The contributions of the United States and United Kingdom are indispensable when it comes to upholding the alliance's guarantee in northern Europe. The recent signing of Defense Cooperation Agreements between the US and the Nordics reinforces this—together with an increased presence of air and naval assets in the region. The same applies to the UK and the Joint Expeditionary Force which now has shifted its focus towards northern Europe. This engagement is a crucial addition to Nordic and NATO plans and activities in a period when growth in Nordic defence structures is occurring at a relatively slow pace. Only after the weaknesses and hurdles are addressed will the deterrence and defence of the region attain a fully credible level.

  • Defence
  • NATO
  • Europe
  • North America
  • The Nordic countries
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  • Defence
  • NATO
  • Europe
  • North America
  • The Nordic countries
Publications
Publications
Policy brief

Deterrence and (Re)assurance in the High North – Finland and Norway Compared

- Finland and Norway are both frontline states to Russia with a similar deterrence and defense strategy. - Finland’s geopolitical position as a frontline state is mainly defined by the long land border to Russia. Norway is predominantly a maritime frontline state. - Norway is both a frontline state and a rear area for staging support to military operations in the Nordic Region. - Geography is a factor influencing the different approaches in Finland and Norway to foreign military activity near Russia. Also, proximity to nuclear forces and test areas.

  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Europe
  • Russia and Eurasia
  • The Nordic countries
  • Conflict
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  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Europe
  • Russia and Eurasia
  • The Nordic countries
  • Conflict
NUPIpodden #12: Kan du forvente hjelp fra Norge hvis du kommer i trøbbel i utlandet?
Podcast

NUPIpodden #12: Kan du forvente hjelp fra Norge hvis du kommer i trøbbel i utlandet?

Skal vi hente hjem fremmedkrigere som har reist til Syria for å slutte seg til IS? Brukte norske myndigheter for mye penger på å få hjem to drapsd...

  • Security policy
  • Diplomacy
  • Foreign policy
  • The Nordic countries
  • Humanitarian issues
  • Governance
  • Security policy
  • Diplomacy
  • Foreign policy
  • The Nordic countries
  • Humanitarian issues
  • Governance
NUPIpodden #16: Utenrikspolitikken som forsvant i isen
Podcast

NUPIpodden #16: Utenrikspolitikken som forsvant i isen

Russland, USA og Kina vender blikket nordover. Men nordområdepolitikk ender ofte som lokaldebatt. Hvor er utenrikspolitikken i nord? NUPIs Åsmund...

  • Defence
  • Diplomacy
  • Foreign policy
  • The Nordic countries
  • Defence
  • Diplomacy
  • Foreign policy
  • The Nordic countries
Articles
New research
Articles
New research

Hvor mye hjelp kan Norge få i krig?

Vi kan ikke lenger lene oss på at NATO-stormaktene skal redde oss i en krigssituasjon, ifølge en ny NUPI-rapport av Ståle Ulriksen.
  • Defence
  • Security policy
  • NATO
  • Europe
  • The Nordic countries
Articles
News
Articles
News

Kristin Haugevik appointed Research Professor

NUPI researcher Kristin Haugevik has been promoted to Research Professor.
  • Defence
  • NATO
  • Diplomacy
  • Foreign policy
  • Europe
  • The Nordic countries
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