Deterrence, Reassurance and Military Self-Restraint
| Issue Brief
Deterrence is back in Northern Europe. This Issue Brief lays out different approaches of Scandinavian states of balancing deterrence, reassurance and military self-restraint as they reevaluate their security strategies.
Abstract
This Issue Brief examines the security environment in Northern Europe, emphasizing the growing tensions between NATO and Russia. It discusses how Russia's military posture in the Arctic and Baltic regions poses significant challenges to NATO's strategic interests, particularly concerning lines of communication for reinforcements in the event of conflict. The Brief particularly focuses on unilateral policies of restraint that have traditionally characterized approaches in founding NATO members Norway and Denmark. It further highlights recent developments, including defense cooperation agreements with the United States and evolving military strategies in response to increased Russian aggression. The brief concludes by providing some background for a broader reflection on the future of arms control and risk reduction mechanisms in the current geopolitical climate, suggesting that establishing effective stability measures within a unified Nordic approach could enhance security in the region.
DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.12793671
Policy recommendations
- finding a common Nordic understanding when it comes to risk reduction and stability instruments would be an important step in the overall European context. This could be a task for the various cooperation formats involving the Nordics.
- establishing risk reduction mechanisms on NATO’s Northern flank, with all the specificities the region presents, would be a crucial step toward a more stable security environment.
