Arne O. Holm says They Scratch Their Heads, Wondering What’s Going On in Miniscule Norway – And Rightfully So
The famous Roman Marcus Porcius Cato ended all his speeches with "Carthage must be destroyed," having perhaps history's most famous axe to grind. (Photo: Scan from 19th century book, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons)
Comment: There are various ways to approach war in Europe and a newly elected protectionist US president with dictatorial ambitions. One method is to steer toward a governmental crisis and self-determination. It's no wonder European democracies scratch their heads, wondering what is happening in minuscule Norway, a country dependent on international cooperation.
This is a comment written by a member of the editorial staff. The comment expresses the author's opinions.
It turns out that the ax is still an essential tool for politicians. However, having axes to grind can interfere with both outlooks and insights, so the practice is primarily reserved for navel-gazing politicians.
History's perhaps most famous axe to grind belonged to the Roman soldier Marcus Porcius Cato.
No matter the topic
As a member of the Roman Senate, a few hundred years BC, he always ended his speeches with "Carthage must be destroyed."
No matter the topic.
A couple of thousand years later, political axe-grinding is still thriving.
Primarily reserved for navel-gazing politicians.
NATO and the EU have fought on Ukraine's side after the attack from Russia for nearly three years.
They have also struggled against Donald Trump for a few weeks now. In addition to creating uncertainty around his willingness to support NATO, he has inflicted concern through repeated threats to increase customs, strengthen protectionism, and expand the USA's borders, among other things.
The electoral victory also adds another dimension to an increasingly weakened Europe. The super-rich, not just the rich, have entered the president's administration, from which they daily attack Western democracies and applaud the European far right.
Threats from the East and the West
In other words, Europe is threatened by both Russia in the east and the US in the west. For most European countries, strengthening themselves by closing ranks is the solution.
The other day, HNN reported that one of the EU Commission's vice presidents, Raffaele Fitto, is visiting Finland. In short, the visit focuses on how the EU can best contribute to strengthening what Finland's PM Petteri Orpo calls the vitality at Finland's border with Russia.
Applauding the far right.
Norway is moving in the opposite direction. With the Centre Party in government, everything is turned upside down to keep the EU out of Norway and Norway out of the EU.
While the EU, with Finland, sees life on the border with Russia as a security policy challenge, Norway's answer is a preparedness white paper in which security policy is largely replaced by traditional regional policy.
While the EU wants to invest heavily in Finnish security, Norway offers free childcare and reduced student loans.
Increasing arrogance
Seen from the outside, it must appear almost absurd if a conflict about renewable energy leads to government collapse in a democracy bordering Russia.
The conflict revolves around a directive adopted by the EU in 2018, which is not significant for Norwegian electricity prices or Norwegian control over its own energy policy.
We are perceived as increasingly arrogant.
There simply are no arguments that can justify a no from the Norwegian side.
Only axes to grind.
We are perceived as an increasingly arrogant nation in the international arena. We stumble forward in a historical retelling of self-determination, while the security policy and financial situation have made us dependent on international cooperation.
Marcus Porcius Cato was ultimately right. Carthage was destroyed.
Friendless and isolated.
