On September 22, the Atlantic Council hosted a private lunch discussion on US-Nordic defense cooperation. The session featured keynote remarks by Finland’s Chief of Defense General Jarmo Lindberg and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense Jukka Juusti, and a moderated discussion led by Atlantic Council board director Dov Zakheim.

As Finland continues to prepare its new defense white paper, which will outline the country’s strategic defense priorities, the Chief of Defense, Permanent Secretary, and Ambassador to the US Kirsti Kauppi briefed out some of Finland’s emerging defense capabilities and goals. Participants shared insights and perspectives on how Finland, the United States, and European partners can confront challenges to Nordic and European security. The discussion focused on new security developments in the Nordic-Baltic region, what lessons-learned on defense policy Finland can apply from the United States, and bilateral defense cooperation.