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

Kristrún Mjöll Frostadóttir, Arctic Circle. Foto Trine Jonassen

Prime Minister of Iceland: “We Better Control What's Happening in Our Own Backyard”

Reykjavik (High North News): “We can't just sit back and say we 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 only nine months.

Arne O. Holm says

Arne O. Holm

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.

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.

Notices

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…

Science / 30.09.2025

Polar Bears‌ Colonize Abandoned Russian‍ Research Station

A remote, decades-abandoned Russian ⁣polar research station in the Chukot…

Britiske marinesoldater i hurtiggående fartøy under øvelsen Arctic Tide i Troms. (Foto: Finn Stainer-Hutchins © Crown copyright 2025)

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.

Arne O. Holm

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.

Danmarks forsvarsminister Troels Lund Poulsen og Grønlands Naalakkersuisoq (minister) for utenriksanliggender Vivian Motzfeldt har hatt tett dialog om utformingen av den nye delavtalen om Arktis og Nord-Atlanteren. Her er de under militærøvelsen Arctic Light på Grønland i september. (Foto: Naalakkersuisut)

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.

High North News investigates: The Russian Gas Flow

Frankrikes president Emmanuel Macron (Renaissance) vil gjeste Grønland på søndag. (Foto: Laurent Blevennec/Frankrikes presidentembete)

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…

Also see

Norway to Inspect Sanctioned Tankers in Efforts To Curb Russian Shadow Fleet

French Shipyard Halts Service for Russian LNG Fleet, Leaving Danish Yard as Sole Western Provider

EU Proposes Phase-Out Of Russian Gas by 2027, Currently Spends €1.5bn Each Month on Imports

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen

“Time to Turn off the Tap” on Russian LNG Says EU After Trump Pressure

Trump's comments trigger renewed efforts by Brussels to phase out Russian liquefied…

LNG carrier Vladimir Voronin

Russian LNG Carrier Stops in Northern Norway’s Honningsvåg, Again

Russian LNG carriers continue to use Norway’s Arctic fjords as convenient service…

Newnew Polar Bear convoy

Deepening Russia-China Relations Continue to Drive Oil, Gas, and Container Traffic Along Arctic Shipping Lane

Arctic transit shipping continues to be dominated by Russian-Chinese economic ties, a…

Ioanna Liouta

Norway Arms Itself... But Who Will Pay The Bill?

"Rising defense spending puts pressure on the welfare state and on taxpayers, says Ioanna Liouta", political and economic analyst.

U.S. Coast Guard to Receive 11 New Icebreakers Under Landmark Finland Deal

The U.S. Coast Guard appears set to operate one of the most capable polar icebreaker fleets within a few short years. The service will receive 11 medium Arctic Security Cutter vessels under a U.S.-Finland deal unveiled by the White House last Friday.

Come Inside a Home Guard Defense Exercise in the Norwegian Arctic

Porsanger (High North News): Join Norway's northernmost home guard district - HV17 - on an exercise at Garrison Porsangmoen, in the Norwegian Arctic.

Elkem Rana

Cornerstone Businesses Face Uncertainty Regarding EU Measures

It is still unclear whether Norway will steer clear of the EU's safeguard measures on alloy imports. For the metal industry in Northern Norway, limited market access to the EU may have big consequences.

Secretary McMahon Should Consider Establishing a National Resource Center on Arctic Studies within the University of Alaska System

The U.S. Department of Education needs to address the geographic bias against Arctic Studies and Pacific Studies in the NRC Program. That could start with the establishment of a Center for Arctic Studies within the University of Alaska System, writes researcher Michael Walsh in this op-ed.

CAOC Norway

NATO's New Air Operations Center Opened: Officially Part of the Alliance's Command

Bodø (High North News): NATO's third Combined Air Operations Center (CAOC) has officially been inaugurated after a rapid build-up. The headquarters will participate in a major NATO exercise already this month, says the CAOC Commander to HNN.

Arne O. Holm says

Arne O. Holm

A Perfect Storm: When Healthcare and Defense Competes for the Same Youths

Comment (Porsangmoen og Sodankyle): A perfect storm is 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.

Scientists Discover Life in Arctic Ice at -15 Degrees Celsius

Stanford researchers report that Arctic algae can move in -15 degrees Celsius, the lowest temperature movement ever recorded in complex living cells. This has raised new questions about how algal communities regulate the overall health of the Arctic environment.

Alexander Stubb and Donald Trump during a round of golf in Florida. (Source: @realDonaldTrump/TruthSocial)

Finland’s Stubb To Meet Trump in Washington DC To Push Icebreaker Deal for Coast Guard

After several months of calm the topic of Finnish icebreaker for the U.S. Coast Guard appears set to come to the forefront again with both Finland’s Prime Minister and President meeting with U.S. President Trump in Washington DC thursday.

Jens-Frederik Nielsen, lederen for Grønlands regjering Naalakkersuisut, taler til EU-parlamentet i Strasbourg. Parlamentet er en av to lovgivende forsamlinger i unionen. Dets hovedoppgaver er lovgivning og budsjettering, samt kontroll av EU-kommisjonen som er unionens utøvende myndighet. (Foto: Fred Marvaux/EU)

“Greenland Needs the EU, and the EU Needs Greenland”

On Wednesday, Greenland's Prime Minister, Jens-Frederik Nielsen, addressed the EU Parliament in Strasbourg. He emphasized the importance of the partnership with the EU and the potential for further cooperation in areas such as critical raw materials and renewable energy.

Islands utenriksminister Þorgerður Katrín Gunnarsdóttir og Finlands forsvarsminister Antti Häkkänen undertegner intensjonsavtalen om styrket forsvarssamarbeid i Helsinki. Landenes presidenter Halla Tómasdóttir og Alexander Stubb overværer signeringsseremonien. (Foto: Matti Porre/Finlands presidentembete)

Iceland and Finland to Strengthen Defense Cooperation

On Tuesday, Iceland and Finland signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation. "This agreement underscores Iceland's increased emphasis on regional and bilateral cooperation with neighboring countries and central allies," says the Icelandic Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Arne O. Holm says

Arne O. Holm

A Salary Package of a Few Millions Does Not Solve a Single Health Problem

Comment: When the health sector fails, the health authorities' contract with society at large also fails. Sky-high executive salaries suggest that the authorities believe this is a communications issue to pay their way out of.