International War-Making for National Security

This chapter analyses Norwegian security and defence policy during the first two decades after the end of the Cold WarCold Warthe end of. The 1990s were characterised by optimism, and defence budgets were reduced. However, from the late 1990s Norway was put under pressure by its NATONATO allies to participate in international military operations in high-intensity conflicts. This was problematic for Norway. One aspect was the poor state of its military and the need to restructure it to be operationally fit. Another was how Norwegians had to adapt culturally and politically. For a self-proclaimed peace nation, participating in international military operations often turned out to be a hard sell in domestic politics. It was also uncomfortable for Norwegian politicians, so unaccustomed to ordering its forces to deploy in dangerous war zones. Nonetheless, to a large extent Norway decided to follow its NATO partners in various military operations. This was never the fundamental national preference, but it was a price worth paying for this small state’s primary security-policy goal: to secure support from allies, not least the USUnited States of America (USA), in a potential future security crisis at home.