New serious security situation on Liberation Day 2025
80 years after liberation, Norway faces a new and uncertain security landscape. The government’s strategy raises national questions about whether closer ties to Europe could come at the expense of autonomy and security.
May 8, 2025 | NORWEGIAN POLITICS
Image by AI/S&P
As cold as during the Cold War
Today marks 80 years since Norway was liberated from German occupation in 1945. A day on which we celebrate peace and honour war veterans. Liberation Day is far more remarkable this year than it was just one year ago. This year’s geopolitical developments have brought the threat of a new war closer than at any time since the Cold War (1946–1990). Many of us are likely reflecting on this today and valuing peace to a greater extent.
National security strategy
We are living in a time of rearmament, and on the occasion of Liberation Day the government is presenting a new national security strategy. Prime Minister Støre spoke this morning at Akershus Fortress and said the following:
- The world has become more dangerous and less predictable. Therefore, a broad and comprehensive national security strategy is necessary. We must unite our efforts around what matters most to keep Norway safe and secure.
The national security strategy is based on six fundamental security interests:
A free and independent Norway
A strong democracy
A safe and trusting society
An open and adaptable economy
Allied unity and cohesion in Europe
A world that seeks solutions based on international law
Most people would likely agree with these as our security interests; however, questions should be raised about points 4 and 5.
An open and adaptable economy
With regard to point 4 of the security strategy, it is not necessarily the case that an open and adaptable economy is compatible with allied unity and cohesion in Europe. When the government presents its strategies, it also rhetorically promotes what are the political views and positions of the Labour Party. A stronger alignment with Europe will lead to our economic future also being tied more closely to Europe — something that runs counter to an open and adaptable economy. This leads to the following question:
Will closer alignment with Europe truly provide Norway with an open and adaptable economy?
Allied unity and cohesion in Europe
With regard to point 5, strong unity and cohesion in Europe may appear natural, given that this is the continent we belong to. However, whether it is in our security interest to align ourselves with Europe is not necessarily a given. It is noteworthy that NATO is not mentioned as a security interest. Again, this reflects the political views and positions of the Labour Party, but that does not mean it is the strategically correct direction to pursue.
Let us look at three important statements from the national security strategy (linked below):
A credible and collective security guarantee through NATO is crucial for Norway
The relationship between the United States and Europe is challenging
The United States is our most important ally
Europe is not capable of defending itself for many years to come. At the same time, the European continent faces a security challenge in that it can never become self-sufficient in the minerals necessary for the production of defence materiel. This leads us to three new questions that the security strategy does not address:
Is Europe at all capable of defending itself without an ally that can ensure access to minerals?
What if NATO dissolves before Europe is (possibly) able to defend Norway?
Could closer ties to Europe be what leads to NATO dissolving?
These are important questions that should prompt a public debate so that we can form our own opinions. When debate is absent, a political position often becomes established as truth. We need the Norwegian press and opposition to engage so that this is debated in the run-up to the election, ensuring that the democratic principle of popular influence is upheld.
SOURCES
Britannica
Cold WarStore Norske Leksikon (Great Norwegian Encyclopedia)
The Cold WarRegjeringen (Norwegian Government)
The Government’s Press Release May 8Regjeringen (Norwegian Government)
National Security Strategy
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