POLITICS NATO's Military Leader: “The Arctic in 2025 Is at a Crossroads” Reykjavik (High North News): The message from Chair of the NATO Military Committee is clear: “Together, Russia and China aim to reshape the rules of access and influence, to their advantage, challenging openness, fairness, and the rule of law.”
POLITICS EU Includes Russian LNG in 19th Sanctions Package; U.S. Focuses on Oil Sector Targets Rosneft and Lukoil In a one-two punch new U.S. and EU sanctions target the Russian energy sector, including oil majors Rosneft and Lukoil, and the country’s LNG sector. After years of debate the EU has agreed on banning imports of Russian LNG by January 1, 2027.
Op-ed: Whispers in the Wind: Aerosols as the Arctic’s Urgent, Unseen Ally Op-ed: Aerosols are reshaping the Arctic in ways that greenhouse gases alone cannot explain. A dedicated management program could turn this hidden climate driver into a lever for immediate action, writes Hassan Alzain.
/ 22.10.2025 Mass Evacuation of Alaskan Residents Complete The mass evacuation by military aircraft of hundreds of residents from…
BUSINESS / 02.10.2025 ConocoPhillips Sends Layoff Notifications to North Slope Workers ConocoPhillips confirmed on Wednesday that it has begun sending layoff…
POLITICS / 02.10.2025 Wants Greenland to Invest in Data Centers Jørgen Rosbach (Demokraatit), member of the Greenlandic parliament …
SCIENCE / 02.10.2025 New Research Project to Explore the Nordic Region and Critical Minerals A new NordForsk-funded research project will examine how the Nordic…
POLITICS The Norwegian State Budget: Major Investments in Svalbard The Norwegian government proposes major investments in Svalbard in its budget proposal for 2026. The investments aim to promote settlement for families in the High North, strengthen research leadership and national control in Svalbard, and contribute to the cleanup of mining activities. "We are strengthening national control on Svalbard," says Minister of Justice and Public Security Astri Aas-Hansen.
BUSINESS Aker Nscale Planning Another AI Data Center in Northern Norway Aker Nscale plans to build a data center for artificial intelligence in the small town of Korgen in Nordland, Northern Norway. The construction plans could be as extensive as the company's project in Narvik, reports newspaper Rana Blad.
Op-ed BRICS by BRICS: Brazil’s Accession to the Svalbard Treaty and the Politics of Partnership "The Brazilian government has submitted the proposal to sign the Svalbard Treaty to the National Congress, which is now under consideration", writes Eda Ayaydin.
POLITICS EU Includes Russian LNG in 19th Sanctions Package; U.S. Focuses on Oil Sector Targets Rosneft and Lukoil In a one-two punch new U.S. and EU sanctions target the Russian energy sector…
10.09.2025 Deepening Russia-China Relations Continue to Drive Oil, Gas, and Container Traffic Along Arctic Shipping Lane
POLITICS EU Council Agrees on Framework for Phaseout of Russian LNG by 2028 The European Union continues to inch toward a full ban of Russian gas. On Monday the…
POLITICS UK Sanctions Target Russian Arctic LNG, With US Remaining on Sideline and EU Continuing Debate The UK increased pressure on Moscow with sanctions against major Russian oil…
POLITICS EU Imports of Russian Gas Grow Again, Including LNG, Contrasting with Brussels Latest Efforts to Phase Out Supplies European Union countries spent 30 percent more on Russian gas during the first half…
Newsletter Political unrest Dear reader. Unrest is spreading across the High North. The Norwegian state budget was met with criticism, Trump is annihilating US research, and Putin is testing NATO. On the bright side, new establishments are taking place in the North, and the Arctic Council still functions in its impaired ways. Here is the latest news from the Arctic.
Arne O. Holm says Politicians Plant Disdain For Science in Their Voters Comment (Reykjavik): What happens when political leaders plant disdain for research and science in their voters? Well, that does not remain to be seen. We are already heading there, guided by a country that once was an international beacon of research.
BUSINESS Major Ferrosilicon Producer Curtails Production in Northern Norway Elkem is reducing the production of ferrosilicon at one of its North Norwegian factories due to challenging market conditions. The EU's potential safeguard measures on imports of ferroalloys have further increased uncertainty, the company writes.
EU Includes Russian LNG in 19th Sanctions Package; U.S. Focuses on Oil Sector Targets Rosneft and Lukoil Oct 24 2025 - 08:56
BRICS by BRICS: Brazil’s Accession to the Svalbard Treaty and the Politics of Partnership Oct 23 2025 - 12:53
POLITICS EU Council Agrees on Framework for Phaseout of Russian LNG by 2028 The European Union continues to inch toward a full ban of Russian gas. On Monday the Council of the EU agreed on the framework for the draft legislation which will now be further negotiated with the Parliament and Commission.
POLITICS Major German Maritime Live-Fire Exercise off Andøya, Northern Norway Ten German naval vessels are now practicing live-fire with missiles, torpedoes, and artillery off the coast of Andøya in Northern Norway. This is the German Navy's largest firing exercise in decades.
Arne O. Holm says Locked Up in Washington, Murkowski Gave an Almost Absurd Insight Into American Madness Reykjavik (Comment): A deeply affected US Senator, Lisa Murkowski, spoke via videolink to 2,000 participants at the international Arctic Circle conference here in Reykjavik yesterday. She was supposed to be on stage, but instead showcased an involuntary digital demonstration of the madness of US politics.
POLITICS The Norwegian Government Proposes Defense Budget Increase of NOK 4,2 Billion in 2026 With the proposed increase, Norway will spend NOK 112 billion on national defense in 2026. In Northern Norway, there are i.a. plans for investments in property, buildings, and facilities of about NOK 3,2 billion.
POLITICS “The Arctic Council is Irreplaceable” Reykjavik (High North News): “Projects are being discussed, new activities are being initiated. The Arctic Council is still alive and very much kicking,” says Kenneth Høegh, Chair of the Senior Arctic Officials of the Arctic Council.
POLITICS Arctic Security Expert: “Putin is Testing NATO” Reykjavik (High North News): “It’s all a competition at this stage, designed to figure out what our tolerance is. We don't often project an image of strength that is really important when we're interacting with Russia and China”, says Canadian Defense Expert P. Whitney Lackenbauer.
POLITICS Prime Minister of Iceland: “We Better Control What's Happening in Our Own Backyard” Reykjavik (High North News): “We can't sit back and want this to be a risk-free, neutral zone, and whatever happens, happens”, says the Prime Minister of Iceland, Kristrún Mjöll Frostadóttir, who have been in office for nine months.
POLITICS UK Sanctions Target Russian Arctic LNG, With US Remaining on Sideline and EU Continuing Debate The UK increased pressure on Moscow with sanctions against major Russian oil companies, 44 shadow fleet vessels, and a Chinese gas import terminal. The impact of the sanctions remains to be seen, also pending actions by the US and EU.
POLITICS Arctic Tide: British Royal Marines Practiced Amphibious Operations in the High North The British Royal Navy recently practiced deploying, protecting, and resupplying special forces in Troms, Northern Norway, within the framework of the Joint Expeditionary Force.
OPINIONS The Norwegian State Budget: Almost Every Coin Spent in the North is Due to Russia Comment: Those who are still unsure of what governs the High North policy should take a look at the Norwegian state budget for 2026. Three ministries clearly state that this is about defense and security policy. To whatever degree the North is strengthened, it is purely due to the threat from Russia.
POLITICS Denmark to Strengthen Arctic Defense by DKK 27,4 Billion The acquisition of a maritime patrol aircraft capability, additional Arctic vessels and drones, as well as the construction of a subsea cable between Greenland and Denmark. These are among the investments in a new Danish defense agreement on the Arctic and North Atlantic.
