Newsletter: A New Era
The Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide is concerned with the continued existence of the Arctic Council, bringing together all eight Arctic countries. (Photo: Astri Edvardsen)
Dear reader. The slogan 'High North, low tension' has been rendered outdated, according to the Norwegian Minister of Foreign Affairs. And with that, an era comes to a close.
Last week, HNN participated in a security conference in Oslo, organized by the Fridtjof Nansen Institute and the High North Center, among others. Editor and Commentator Arne O. Holm moderated one of the panel discussions.
Norway's foreign minister said in a conversation that the term 'High North, low tension' must be calibrated because 'tension is present in the Arctic in an entirely different way than it has in previous years.'
It was also clear that we are standing on the threshold of a new era when the Norwegian Chief of Defense entered the stage. In his opening speech, the Chief of Defense provided a room full of international academics with Arctic expertise a crash course in democracy;
"You can give me more power. But I don't want it."
You can read the rest of Holm's precise comment from the conference.
HNN's Astri Edvardsen covered the event, and the Chair of the Norwegian Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defense, who says that the Western Arctic states must choose between continuing slow-moving Arctic Council work with Russian participation or proceeding without Russia.
Michael Sfraga, the US's former Arctic Ambassador, also participated in the conference. He believes that it is unlikely that Donald Trump has given up on his quest to control Greenland. (Norwegian only)
Other news
This week, you can also read about how 70 homes will be removed from the rental market in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, due to a risk of avalanches. This will take place in December and has brought out despair for the affected stakeholders.
The latest news about Russian gas is that Donald Trump's comments have triggered renewed efforts by Brussels to phase out Russian liquefied natural gas imports.
The fisheries crisis continues, and the Norwegian Minister of Fisheries and Ocean Policy believes there is reason to worry about the pollock stock in the North, heralding new measures. (Norwegian only)
And a new Nordic research project will explore how climate change and tourism add pressure to the nature and indigenous peoples' way of living in the Arctic.
In addition, you will find op-eds, short stories, and much more at High North News.
We have an array of exciting stories coming up, so follow us on social media for the latest news from the North.
Arctic greetings from Editor-in-Chief Trine Jonassen