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

Donald Trump

Trump Cuts Target US Arctic Research Commission to Reverse Course Days Later, Wilson Center’s Polar Initiative Also Affected

In a continuation of the chaotic political environment in Washington DC a new Trump executive order initially targeted the US Arctic Research Commission, only to reverse course days later. The Wilson Center, home of the Polar Initiative, has also been slated for cuts.

Arne O. Holm says

Arne O. Holm

Amid War and Tariffs, the Biggest Crises Are Forgotten

Comment: Lately, everything revolves around war with weapons and tariffs. Yet, there are greater threats than that lurking under the surface. There just isn't any place for them in the news.

Canada’s Arctic Ascendancy: Leading the West in a Shifting North

Op-ed: Donald Trump’s return to the White House in 2025 has reignited his fixation on Greenland, framing it as a national security prize, while chiding Canada for its military spending. Yet his actions reveal a narrower lens—one rooted in territorial ambition rather than a comprehensive Arctic strategy, writes researcher Abbas Qaidari in this op-ed.

Notices

POLITICS / 10.03.2025

More Toxic Water Leaks Into Nearby Creek From Yukon's Eagle Mine Site

There's been another leak of cyanide-contaminated water from the troubled…

POLITICS / 10.03.2025

B-52s Make First Ever Bomb Drops Over Lapland

This is the first time bombs have been dropped by United States strategic…

POLITICS / 05.03.2025

Múte B. Egede Emphasizes That Greenland Is Not for Sale

Greenlandic Prime Minister Múte B. Egede once again emphasizes that…

ARCTIC LIVING / 05.03.2025

Arctic Encounter 2025 Rescheduled for July

The Arctic Encounter conference in Anchorage, Alaska, has been rescheduled…

28 620 av totalt 40 369 stemmeberettigede deltok i valget til Grønlands parlament Inatsisartut 11. mars 2025. Stemmeprosenten er på 70,9 prosent – en økning på 5 prosent siden 2021-valget. (Foto: Mads Schmidt Rasmussen/norden.org)

Greenland Election: Demokraatit Emerges as the Island’s Largest Political Party

Over 28,000 Greenlanders have voted for a significant new composition of their parliament, Inatsisartut. The government formation process is now led by Demokraatit, which won the most votes. There is a majority in parliament for Greenlandic independence in the longer term.

Paweł Markiewicz

Toward A New Arctic Status Quo?

"Geopolitical developments in the Arctic are once again catching the attention of astute experts, interested observers, and concerned decision makers around the globe", says Dr. Paweł Markiewicz, Executive Director of the Polish Institute of International Affairs, Washington D.C.

Northvolt

Battery Company Northvolt Files For Bankruptcy

After major losses and production issues, the battery company Northvolt has declared bankruptcy in Sweden. The bankruptcy affects the company's factory in Skellefteå, Northern Sweden, among other locations.

High North News investigates: The Russian Gas Flow

EU Ukraine sanctions

EU Paid Near 300% More for Russian LNG in 2024 Compared to Early 2021

Not only is the EU importing record levels of LNG from Russia, it is also paying a…

Also see

Germany Can’t Shake Russian Gas: LNG Purchases from Arctic Yamal Project Skyrocket

Novatek Executive Traveling to Brussels to Soften EU Stance on Russian LNG, Sources Say

Ten EU Member States Urge Ban on Russian Liquefied Natural Gas Ramping Up Pressure on Yamal LNG

Höegh Esperanza floating LNG import ship at Germany’s Wilhelmshaven LNG terminal.

EU Countries Spent Close to €7bn on Russian LNG in 2024

Europe cannot shake its addiction to Russian liquefied natural gas. Throughout 2024…

Belokamenka yard Novatek

Russia’s Novatek Eyes India as Market for Sanctioned Arctic LNG

Russian liquefied natural gas producer Novatek continues to scour the globe for…

EU Ukraine sanctions

EU Fails to Act on Russian LNG As Some Member States Discuss Restart of Gas Imports After War

Russian liquefied natural gas receives a pass in the latest round of EU sanctions…

Polar Max icebreaker

Canada Bolsters Arctic Capabilities Ordering Two Heavy Polar Icebreakers, Teams up with Finnish Yard

Sending a clear signal for Canada’s leadership role in the Arctic, the country announced contracts for two new heavy polar icebreakers. The vessels draw on the collaborative effort behind the recently-announced ICE Pact between Canada, Finland and the U.S.

Voksne og barn på gata i Nuuk, hovedstaden i Grønland (Kalaallit Nunaat). Grønlenderne har rett til selvbestemmelse, og kan ved å gå til stemmeurnene ved parlamentsvalget tirsdag legge viktige føringer for landets framtid. (Foto: Mats Bjerde/norden.org)

Greenlanders Vote in a Momentous Election: Six Parties Compete for 31 Seats

Today, March 11, the people of Greenland elect their representatives to the Greenlandic parliament, Inatsisartut. In and around the election are major questions about the island's future, both in relation to the Kingdom of Denmark and Donald Trump's USA.

Security for the High North: The Cold War

Op-ed: US Army Veteran and historian Mike Thornton provides a historical perspective on the current tensions in the High North, applying Cold War lessons to today's situation. Appeasement was not effective when confronting Hitler in 1938, and it will not work now when confronting Vladimir Putin in 2025, he writes in this op-ed.

Arne O. Holm says

Arne O. Holm

While the US Is Crumbling, I Seek Refuge in an Art Museum

Comment: The news stories are coming in at a relentless pace. I am seeking refuge in the latest addition to the northern art scene. The Northern Norwegian Art Museum is now in place in Bodø, northern Norway, inviting us to understand both our past and our future.

Nuuk, Grønland

Greenland Party Wants a National Mining Company

With certain limitations, the Greenlandic party Inuit Ataqatigiit says yes to mining in its political program. The Arctic island's election is this week, on March 11th.

HANDS OFF NOAA Rally

The US Steps Back From Arctic Science, Paves Way for China

Six weeks into Donald Trump’s presidential term has seen major cuts and mass firings across the board. The US Arctic research community is now facing imminent cutbacks at a dire expense for the entire region. The void left by the US may be filled by other non-Arctic actors looking for a way in, such as China.

Need for a Canadian-European Security Consensus, Says Researcher

Trump's comments about acquiring Canada and Greenland reinforce the importance of developing Canadian-European collaboration regarding the Arctic, says research fellow Gabriella Gricius at the North American and Arctic Defense and Security Network.

Fra havnen i Valdez, Alaska

Trump Doubles Down on Alaska LNG Project Citing South Korean, Japanese Support

Trump touts plans for “giant” Alaska LNG project with South Korean and Japanese support as he pushes for American energy independence. However, specifics remain scarce and even with Asian support the economics of the project remain in question.

Benedikte Kosmo Underland

"More Important Than Ever to Discuss the Future of The High North"

The High North Dialogue conference is coming up in Bodø at the end of March. "This year’s conference is more important than ever", says the project manager.

Bilateralt utenriksministermøte i Bodø

MFA Meeting in the North With Serious Backdrop

Bodø, Northern Norway (High North News): The Norwegian MFA Espen Barth Eide emphasizes the importance of creating a shared understanding of the security policy dynamic in the Arctic among Nordic and Baltic states. He also insists that Norway is working to convey the Norwegian way of thinking about Arctic matters to the US.

From the left: CEO and founde of the Arctic Encounter Symposium, Racher Kallander, US senator for Alaska, Lisa Murkowski (R) and Chair of the AES board, Marilyn Romano

America's Largest Annual Arctic Policy and Business Event Postponed

The largest annual Arctic policy and business event in the US—The Arctic Encounter Symposium in Anchorage, Alaska—has been rescheduled just three weeks before it was due to welcome hundreds of international speakers and attendees.

US president Donald Trumps speech

Trump Says The U.S. Will Take Control of Greenland ‘One Way or The Other’

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the United States would take control of Greenland “one way or the other,” making it clear that he is not planning on letting go of the self-governing Danish territory.

Beltevogn-konvoi ved Setermoen

Joint Viking 2025: 10,000 Soldiers From 9 Nations Exercise Defending Northern Norway

The Norwegian Armed Forces are now exercising on countering military threats in the North – reinforced by allies from Western Europe and North America. “Even more important in light of today's uncertain security situation,” says Deputy Commander of Norway's Joint Headquarters.