Northern Europe

Finland & NATO: Strategic Cooperation

As Arctic ice recedes the world increasingly eyes the area for natural resources and maritime shipping lanes. NATO’s members and partners in the region are strategically poised to influence the region as it moves from tundra to territory, as militaries come to view the Arctic in a strategic context and various militaries increase their presence […]

Finland Buys One Hundred Tanks from the Netherlands

By Defense Update

Finland and the Netherlands have agreed to transfer most of the remaining stock of Dutch Leopard 2A6 Main Battle Tanks (MBT) to Finland over a period of four years, for amount around €200 million.

Between A Rock and a Cold Place? NATO and the Arctic

By Page Wilson

At a press conference marking the visit of the North Atlantic Council to Norway in May, Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen announced that “at this present time, NATO has no intention of raising its presence and activities in the High North.”

Sweden Considers Broader Alliances with NATO, EU

By Gerard O’Dwyer, Defense News

Recognizing that its self-defense capabilities are becoming inadequate, Sweden is shifting its strategic policy to embrace partnerships beyond its Nordic neighborhood, including NATO and the European Union.

Norway Concerned about Russia’s Military Modernization and Increased Military Activity in the Arctic

By Andrea Shalal-Esa, Reuters

“I don’t think that the alliance will be irrelevant any time soon,” Norwegian Defense Minister Ine Eriksen] Soreide told Reuters.

Norway: NATO Allies Need to Address US Security Concerns Beyond Europe

By Ine Eriksen Søreide, Ministry of Defense of Norway

The transatlantic relationship and the future of NATO are at the top of the agenda for my government.

First Chemical Weapons Removed From Syria to Danish Ship

By BBC and AP

From BBC:  The first consignment of Syrian chemical weapons materials has left the country on a Danish ship.

Strategy Session with H.E. Ine Eriksen Søreide

On January 8, the Atlantic Council hosted an off-the-record strategy session with H.E. Ine Eriksen Søreide to discuss strategic priorities for Norway in relation to their partnership with the United States and their contributions to NATO. With the coming drawdown of NATO’s ISAF mission in Afghanistan and the US pivot to Asia, NATO must find […]

Strategy Session with Estonian Minister of Defense Urmas Reinsalu

The Baltic nation of Estonia is not only one of NATO’s most active members, it lives on the often tense front line of the Atlantic alliance’s complex relationship with Russia. Estonia’s key role as a US ally, and its critical place in European security affairs are why the Atlantic Council invited Defense Minister Urmas Reinsalu […]

US F-15s Take Over NATO’s Baltic Air Policing

By Lithuanian Ministry of Defense

On January 3 Belgium’s air contingent handed over NATO’s mission of ensuring security in the airspace of the Baltic States to air personnel of the United States of America operating four F-15 C Eagle fighter-jets