Norwegian NATO debate after the cold war

• Published in: Internasjonal politikk Vol. 63; no. 2-3; pp. 217 - 240
• Main Author: Graeger, Nina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Norwegian
• Published: 01.01.2005
• Subjects: Alliances; Defence policy; Defense Policy; Europe; European Union; International Alliances; National security; NATO; Norway; Post-Cold War; Reform; Transatlantic relations; U.S.A
• ISSN: 0020-577X

Norway's security and defence policy was justified with reference to Cold War arguments well into the 1990s. The Norwegian NATO discourse, which is the topic of the article, is still focused on territorial defence, with allied support in an emergency situation, interoperability and alliance loyalty at its core. NATO increasingly is considered as a political instrument in which Norwegian force contributions to international operations are converted into political influence vis-à-vis Norway's allies. Some fear, however, that international engagement will reduce the national defence capacity, leaving Norway in a vulnerable situation with Russia in the northern areas. This view also reflects the opposition against defence reform, where NATO has been a central external driving force. NATO is still seen as the main arena for transatlantic relations in the Norwegian debate, whereas little attention is being paid to the ever more ambitious and capable EU. More striking, maybe, is that the attitude towards Norway's close relationship with the US, even after its unilateral turn since nine-eleven, does not seem to have changed. Reprinted by permission of Norwegian Institute of International Affairs