Newsletter The Resource Race

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The Norwegian Total Preparedness Commission's distinct recommendation of increased preparedness in the North has steered clear from the new white paper on total preparedness. 

"The total preparedness white paper is disquietingly vague in several areas," believes a professor. (Norwegian only) 

Editor and Commentator Arne O. Holm also has words about the matter, so follow along. 

The military preparedness, however, increases. 

On Tuesday, a new satellite to strengthen Norwegian ocean surveillance was launched.

And in Lapland, northern Finland, at -24 degrees Celsius, the Finnish Defence Forces are running a winter warfare course for allied military personnel. 

Museum and walruses 

The Norwegian Government has decided on the location of the Arctic University Museum of Norway. 

And do read about the unique research project “Walrus From Space”. 

The resource race 

As part of a massive sanctions package days before the end of the Biden administration, the U.S. blocked a key Chinese technology provider. The company had been the focus of a HNN investigation in October 2024.  

After Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the EU and the US have worked toward being less dependent on Russian gas. 

The latest news from the gas and oil sector in the USA is that the proposed Alaska LNG project has taken its next hurdle with the signing of a development agreement. 

However, the oil and gas lease sale for Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has drawn no bids from oil companies. 

And Northvolt Battery in Sweden is allowed to continue its operations for a while longer. 

Politics and fisheries 

After US President-elect Donald Trump's statements on buying Greenland, the political leadership of Greenland specifies that the island is not for sale but that cooperation is coveted. 

In this well-read comment, Holm explains what Trump is really after: 

“The island is rich in resources, but that is not why Donald Trump is threatening to take over Greenland with force - quite the contrary.” 

And finally, good news from the fisheries industry: Despite the number of registered fishers decreasing, there is an increased interest in the fishing profession among women in Norway. 

Read about this and more in High North News. If you have any tips, feedback, or opinions you'd like published, send them to hinn@nord.no. 

Best regards, Editor-in-Chief Trine Jonassen