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Much is being done to counter Russian ambitions in the High North, and yet much more remains to be done.
The recent stream of senior U.S. defense officials to Nordic countries underlines American concerns about potential friction in northern Europe, and Washington’s efforts to boost defense and deterrence there. Defense Secretary Ash Carter stopped in Norway in early September, while his deputy Bob Work, who has been to the region three times over the last two years, paid an early-October visit to Finland’s capital, Helsinki. Shortly thereafter, Air Force Secretary Deborah James made her own trip across the region. (Go back to last year, and Senate Armed Services Committee chair John McCain was in Norway and Sweden to discuss regional security.)
The multi-country itinerary reflects the realization that boosting defense and security cooperation there requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. For starters, Norway and Denmark are founding members of NATO and treaty allies of the United States, while Sweden and Finland are only NATO partners and have no formal defense agreement with the U.S.
The recent stream of senior U.S. defense officials to Nordic countries underlines American concerns about potential friction in northern Europe, and Washington’s efforts to boost defense and deterrence there. Defense Secretary Ash Carter stopped in Norway in early September, while his deputy Bob Work, who has been to the region three times over the last two years, paid an early-October visit to Finland’s capital, Helsinki. Shortly thereafter, Air Force Secretary Deborah James made her own trip across the region. (Go back to last year, and Senate Armed Services Committee chair John McCain was in Norway and Sweden to discuss regional security.)
The multi-country itinerary reflects the realization that boosting defense and security cooperation there requires more than a one-size-fits-all approach. For starters, Norway and Denmark are founding members of NATO and treaty allies of the United States, while Sweden and Finland are only NATO partners and have no formal defense agreement with the U.S.
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