Nordic Countries: Security

Domestic

Several Nordic countries, including Sweden, are sending warplanes to participate in military drills in Greenland, with the Danish military also conducting defensive exercises there. This activity coincides with renewed attention on the historical U.S. Cold War plan, Operation 'Iceworm,' which involved secret plans to deploy nuclear missiles in Greenland. Separately, within the Nordic region, two Swedish men have been sentenced to lengthy prison terms for committing terrorism in Denmark. A report from the municipality of Nordre Follo, near Oslo, Norway, also details hundreds of incidents involving violence and threats against public employees.

International

NATO has initiated a new military operation, 'Arctic Sentry,' focused on improving the protection of the Arctic region around Greenland. This follows warnings from Norway about increased Russian espionage and sabotage activity. Russia has warned it is ready to take military measures if the United States deploys a 'Golden Dome' missile defense system in Greenland. Concurrently, the United States announced it would send military personnel to Greenland, though Greenland, a self-governing territory of Denmark, refused a U.S. hospital ship. This follows past tensions over a U.S. push to buy Greenland. A Danish official warned that a U.S. attack on Greenland would mean the end of NATO, with Europe looking to rely less on U.S. defense. As part of the NATO mission, Sweden is sending fighter jets and rangers to patrol the area. The United Kingdom is doubling its troop numbers in Norway, and Finland is building icebreaker ships for the United States, reflecting a broader Arctic focus. Separately, NATO has deployed a joint planning team to Bulgaria and members have pledged $35 billion in military aid to Ukraine.