Newsletter: Greetings from the Land of Fire and Ice
Editor-in-Chief Trine Jonassen and Editor Arne O. Holm are in Iceland this week for the major Arctic conference, Arctic Circle. (Photo: Trine Jonassen)
Dear reader. The largest international conference in the Arctic takes place in Reykjavik. High North News is there, pencils sharpened, but first, some insights from the defense-heavy week that passed. Here is the latest news from the North.
Last week, we were lucky enough to be able to visit the inside of the Norwegian and Finnish defense of the Arctic. Underway, it became clear to our commentator and editor, Arne O. Holm, that a perfect storm was brewing in the North.
“Soon, two of our most important public agencies will fight for the same workforce. Without drastic measures, one of them, perhaps both, will be left as losers.”
Research and industry news
New research report reveals that Arctic algae can move in -15 degrees Celsius, the lowest temperature movement ever recorded in complex living cells.
And it is still unclear whether Norway will steer clear of the EU's safeguard measures on alloy imports.
Defense
Defense permeates both dialogue and action in the North.
The U.S. Coast Guard appears set to operate one of the most capable polar icebreaker fleets within a few short years, as both Finland’s Prime Minister and President met with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Several new NATO headquarters have been inaugurated in the Nordic region. (Norwegian only)
This includes NATO's third Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) that has officially been inaugurated in Northern Norway after a rapid build-up. HNN's Hilde-Gunn Bye was there for the ribbon-cutting.
The military exercise activity does not appear to decrease.
Denmark is taking the increased attention on Greenland seriously. The Danish Armed Forces have been taking steps to become more visible in and around Greenland.
Maritime patrol aircraft capability, additional Arctic vessels and drones, as well as the construction of a subsea cable between Greenland and Denmark, are among the investments in a new Danish defense agreement on the Arctic and North Atlantic.
We have many good stories on the way, both from the Finnish defense and the Arctic Circle conference in Iceland, where Holm and I are participating. So stay tuned!
Arctic greetings from Editor-in-Chief Trine Jonassen