High North News - News, analysis and debate about politics and business in the North

Grønlands minister for utenrikssaker og Danmarks forsvarsminister

Agreed to Increase Military Exercise Activity in Greenland

Denmark and Greenland have decided to increase military presence in and around Greenland, in close cooperation with allies.

Rendering of Seaspan's MPI icebreaker for the USCG.

Canadian Seaspan Yard Signs Deal For Arctic Security Cutters, Joining US and Finnish Builders

The push for new U.S. icebreakers continues to take shape. Canadian builder Seaspan has now joined the effort by providing its Multi-Purpose Icebreaker design to American and Finnish shipyards to build six icebreakers.

Yvette Cooper

UK's Foreign Minister to Urge NATO to Focus on Arctic in Finland and Norway Visit

Travelling to Finland and Northern Norway, the UK's Foreign Secretary will call on NATO to step up its work in the Arctic to protect Euro-Atlantic interests in the region.

Notices

POLITICS / 15.01.2026

Protest to Be Held in Nuuk, Greenland

On Saturday, January 17th, a group of citizens in Nuuk has joined forces…

POLTICS / 14.01.2026

Subsea Cable to Svalbard Underway

Last year, the Norwegian government entered into an agreement with Space…

POLITICS / 14.01.2026

France Opens Consulate in Greenland

The French Foreign Minister says that France will open a consulate in…

POLITICS / 13.01.2026

NATO discussing next steps to ensure Arctic stays safe, says Secretary General

NATO member countries are discussing the next steps to collectively keep…

Maria Malmer Stenergard and Elina Valtonen

Sweden, Finland Urge EU to Tighten Screws on Russian Arctic Shipping With Insurance, Port Bans

Sweden and Finland are pushing the EU to toughen sanctions on Russian Arctic shipping, calling for bans on insurance and port repairs for vessels carrying oil, gas and coal, including Arctic vessels.

Nuuk bybilde, telekommunikasjon, boliger

Several Meetings Between Greenland, Denmark and the US This Week

This week, the Danish foreign minister and his Greenlandic counterpart will meet with the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, as well as the US Vice President in Washington, D.C. In addition, several American senators are traveling to Copenhagen to meet members of the Danish parliament.

High North News Presents: The Arctic Circle Podcast - This Way Up!

Advocating for the Arctic

How does one advocate for one of the most rapidly changing regions on Earth? In this…

The Arctic On Fire

The Arctic isn’t just warming, it’s on fire. From the record-shattering 2023 wildfire…

Anja Salo

The Arctic Council Launches New Podcast: “We Want to Bring the Arctic to the World”

In the following months, High North News will publish the Arctic Council's new…

Welcome to This Way Up

Welcome to This Way Up, the new Arctic Council podcast. In this introductory episode…

Mary Simon, Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik 2022.

Canada To Open Consulate in Nuuk, Greenland

In February, Canada will open a consulate in Greenland. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and Governor General Mary Simon are expected to be in Nuuk for the opening.

Ioanna, Sodankyla

An Arctic Social Contract

The development of the Arctic requires a "human face." It is a fundamental error to believe we can safeguard the climate while marginalizing the societies that inhabit it.

Shiwani Dhiman

Sámi Culture and the Reindeer People of Tromsø

"I visited Tromsø in December, right in the heart of Arctic winter."

Russia Downscales Parts of Fisheries Cooperation

Norway and Russia reached a fisheries agreement for 2026 in the annual negotiations late last year. Despite the important agreement, Russia is downscaling parts of the fisheries cooperation.

newnew polar bear container shipping.

South Korea Plans First Arctic Container Ship Test Voyage via Russia’s Northern Sea Route

South Korea is preparing its first-ever container ship voyage through Russia’s Northern Sea Route, testing whether Arctic shipping can reshape Asia–Europe trade and turn the country into a key Arctic shipping hub.

Canada Must Be Wary of Its Southern Neighbor, Say Researchers

Last year, US President Donald Trump's ambitions to expand US territory included Greenland, but also Canada, as 'the 51st state.' The Trump Administration's recent reinforcement of its desire to take over Greenland has clear political implications for Canada's security policy, say researchers Gabriella Gricius and Mathieu Landriault.

Båter, Nuuk

Norway and Greenland Agree on Fisheries Cooperation and Quota Exchange

Commando force training in Norway

British Forces in the North: Will Operate in Northern Norway Year-Round

This year, Norway and the United Kingdom will increase the cooperation between their military forces. In December, the two countries signed an extensive defense agreement that paves the way for greater British presence in the High North.

Boligblokker, Nuuk, Grønland

White House Draws Up Plans to Acquire Greenland as Trump Revives Territorial Ambitions

Donald Trump’s fixation on Greenland has entered a dangerous new phase with the White House actively drawing up acquisition plans, calling it a "national security priority." European allies fear rhetoric is turning into policy.

Berk Vindevogel

Too Close for Comfort: America’s Grip on Nordic Security

"Faced with the Trump Administration today, do we even want the U.S. in the region?" asks Berk Vindvogel, PhD researcher at the Ghent Institute for International and European Studies.

Arne O. Holm says

Arne O. Holm

We’re at the Point Where European Leaders Want to Use Military Muscles to Deter the US

Comment: Greenland's member of the Danish Parliament, Aaja Chemnitz, calls for a European and Nordic military exercise in Greenland as a response to Donald Trump's threats. Diplomatic language is no longer deterring. Our closest ally must be deterred with military power.

Skjermbilde 2026-01-06, Trump Airforce1

Danish Extraordinary Meeting on Relations With the United States

On Tuesday, January 6, the Danish Foreign Affairs Committee was called to an emergency meeting about "the kingdom's relationship with the United States."

Arctic Security Cutter

U.S. Signs Contracts With Foreign and Domestic Builders to Finally Launch Long-Delayed Icebreaker Fleet Overhaul

The United States Coast Guard has signed contracts with Finland’s Rauma Marine Constructions and Louisiana’s Bollinger Shipyards to build six Arctic Security Cutter icebreakers. The first ships could be ready as early as 2028.