Newsletter: The Bestiality of War

Sweden's Minister of Defense (Moderates) and the US Minister of Defense Lloyd Austin (Democrats) in the Pentagon at the signing of the bilateral defense agreement. This week, Jonson is in the US to strengthen Swedish-American collaboration and promote Swedish defense innovation. (Photo: US Department of Defense)

Published at: Dec 10 2023 - 19:07 / Updated at: Dec 10 2023 - 19:09

Dear reader. While wars are destroying lives, NATO nations are tightening their grip on the High North. Russian gas is still flowing into the EU, and Norway is opening up for deep-sea mining in Arctic waters. The Editor-in-Chief attempts to put words to the bestiality of war. Here is the week as seen from the North. 

Text Trine Jonassen
Translation: Birgitte Annie Molid Martinussen

Recently, it was revealed that Canada has entered into an agreement with the US government to acquire fourteen P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, with the first delivery in 2026. 

Sweden and the USA have entered a defense cooperation agreement that will give American forces free access to 17 base areas on Swedish soil. 

And the International Relations and Defence Committee of the British House of Lords scrutinizes the British Arctic policy in a new report. 

"Maintaining a credible UK security role in the High North has become all the more important since Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and Finland and Sweden’s decision to join NATO," says Chair of the committee, Lord Henry Ashton of Hyde in an Op-ed. 

We who live in the High North are almost helplessly witnessing the bestiality of the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. Editor-in-chief Arne O. Holm turns to Bob Dylan in the search for words to describe what we see. 

“How does one describe the suffering of the confined people in the Gaza Strip being continuously bombed to death without the world community interfering? Or a Ukrainian people heading into yet another winter under the bombs from a Russian despot?” 

Gas and mines 

Almost two years into the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, European countries continue to import Russian Arctic liquefied natural gas at record levels. 

Not only is this controversial in light of sanctions and war but liquefied natural gas may not be as clean as previously thought, a new study finds. 

The Norwegian Government has agreed on a settlement that opens up for deep-sea mining in the Arctic. 

This completely contradicts scientific recommendations and will make Norway an international environmental disaster, believes environmental organizations. 

Fisheries and culture 

In November, the Norwegian seafood export exceeded the value from the record year of 2022 (Norwegian only). 

The Norwegian Minister of Trade, Industries, and Fisheries has the date ready for the much-discussed quota announcement. (Norwegian only) 

And in February, the Capital of Culture year opens in Bodø and Nordland with great festivity, with an emphasis on the North and the Arctic.

Read about this and more at High North News.

Wishing you all the best for the weekend,

Trine Jonassen, News Editor

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