The Northern Area of NATO: Status and Challenges

• Main Author: Frisvold, Sigurd
• Other Authors: ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 1992
• Subjects: Government and Political Science; Military Operations; Strategy and Tactics; *DEFENSE PLANNING; *NORWAY; *FOREIGN POLICY; *NATO; GEOPOLITICS; NORTHERN EUROPE; MILITARY STRATEGY; SECURITY; GEOSTRATEGY; EUROPEAN INTEGRATION; Norway; North Norway
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA250396; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA250396

This study examines the status and challenges to the security of NATO's Northern Area following the rapid and fundamental changes in the political, economic and military structures which European has experienced since 1989. Due to an exposed geostrategic position and the momentum of the European integration process, Norway faces the challenge of being partly isolated from the emerging security architecture. The study concludes that Norway should apply for membership in the EC/WEU, but continue to strongly support NATO's transatlantic link and primacy in a system of several interlocking security institutions. The study also concludes that future reduced national defense spending should give priority to North Norway and a force structure aimed at controlling the land territory, anti-invasion and air defense.