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Arctic Yearbook 2015
nations in the North Atlantic Council to discuss the matter followed by consensus on text and possible
measures. No move in NATO HQ in that direction can as yet be discerned.
This lack of collective positioning on the High North, against a background of Russian sabre rattling,
but also in the face of a growing understanding of the overall impact climate change has on the regional
strategic situation in the High North, is not surprising. There is no NATO High North Security
Strategy. The dearth of attention for the region was already evident at the launch of the NATO
Strategic Concept in 2010, in which there is not a word about the Arctic. An absence of consensus
between the editors of the Concept – i.e. member states – prevented the issue being incorporated in
this guiding document.
NATO can of course not be blamed that in 2015 the Strategic Concept also in general terms looks
outdated, especially considering Putin’s continuing belligerent antics. But one expected that NATO
declarations since Moscow’s illegitimate acts started would not only focus on beefing up Baltic and
eastern Alliance members’ security but would also send a clear message regarding Russian polar
posturing and preparation. Even so, an icy silence prevails.
The timely visit of NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg to NATO Founding Member Iceland in
April 2015 raised hopes of High North Security experts of some tough language from Brussels.
Disappointingly, nothing of substance was announced to manifest that in the northern region too,
NATO is strengthening its guard to defend Alliance interests. A guard that is called for also because,
as new maritime options develop, a range of opportunities appears for Russia to spoil – if not do
worse to – Western interests.
Three potential measures of increased vigilance present themselves.
ONE: the current NATO air surveillance mission should become permanent, i.e. NATO nations
should continue to mount a taskforce of aircraft for air policing and other tasks at Keflavik on a
rotational scheme, but henceforth without gaps of months of absence as currently is the practice.
TWO: NATO should consider upgrading its liaison office in Iceland, maybe in an adapted variation
on the model of the NATO Force Integration Units (NFIU) recently installed in the Baltic States,
Poland, Romania and Bulgaria as part of the Readiness Action Plan that is NATO’s military response
to Moscow’s aggression. A small NFIU HQ with emphasis on support for NATO’s regional air and
maritime activities.
THREE: the budding initiative to create a regional Search and Rescue (SAR) Centre should now be
materialised. This is not a NATO activity, but clearly one to be supported by all nations and
organisations with Arctic activities. NATO can provide expertise. The requirement to be able to assist
over long distance in case of incidents in or over Arctic waters is massively evident. The beauty of this
proposal is that it could include an invitation to Russia, as member of the Arctic Council, to join, and
hence have SAR become an instrument of détente.
Finally, all three measures should tbe supported by Alliance common funding as Iceland alone cannot
be shouldered with the financial burden.
As winter approaches, one continues to hope NATO will get its polar act together soon.
NATO & the Arctic