Dealing with Russia: A Return to Cold War Thinking

This chapter investigates Norway’s security and defence policy over the last 10–15 years. The main theme is how Russia, always a vital state for Norwegian foreign relations since the Second World War, brought about major changes. With increasing RussianRussia self-assertiveness, calls intensified in Norway for more attention to be paid to the defence of national territory, particularly in the High North, where a potential confrontation with the RussiansRussia is likely to occur. This has had two interrelated consequences. First, Norway has sought to come even closer to its NATONATO allies, aiming to bolster the AmericanUnited States of America (USA) security guarantee and allies’ interests in the High North. Second, policymakers realised that it was necessary to increase defence budgets to improve the country’s defence capabilities. After the RussianRussia all-out invasion of UkraineUkraine in 2022, Norwegian policymakers intensified further their focus on these measures.