Braun & Blank 17
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| Black et al 20 [M.Sc./M.A. in international relations and international security, London School of Economics and Sciences Po Paris; B.A. (Hons) in history, University of Cambridge. "Enhancing deterrence and defence on NATO's northern flank." https://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR4300/RR4381/RAND_RR4381.pdf]
3.1.5. Allies recognise Norwegian contributions on the eastern and southern flanks as delivering important benefits to Norway and NATO alike Many of the Allied officials consulted expressed a nuanced understanding of whether Norway should ultimately be seen as a ‘net security importer’ or ‘exporter’ within NATO. It is certainly true that Norwegian national interests are served directly by Oslo’s continuing efforts within NATO over the past decade to re-focus Alliance thinking on territorial defence and maritime strategy. However, such a re-focus has also been valued by other key Allied nations, including by some of those who themselves de-prioritised these topics during the 2000s when NATO’s primary focus was on expeditionary and counterinsurgency operations. A number of Allied officials also noted that Norway is seen as an active contributor to wider NATO security and operations beyond its own immediate neighbourhood. This includes significant Norwegian contributions to NATO operations in Afghanistan and Libya in 2011, as well as ongoing participation in the Enhanced Forward Presence in the Baltic States. Outside of NATO structures, Norway is also seen to be actively contributing to United Nations and other missions, for example by deploying ground and air forces in support of peacekeeping operation MINUSMA in Mali.42 A strong and recurrent theme across the Allied officials consulted was that Norway’s continued commitment to securing NATO against potential threats on all flanks – not just in Norway’s own backyard – is essential. Such contributions not only help to prevent wider international threats or crises from escalating to a point where they have a direct impact on Norway’s own sovereignty and security, but also reinforce the principle of solidarity among all NATO Allies, and build corresponding influence for Oslo to promote its own strategic objectives and priorities within the Alliance. Download 124.37 Kb. Share with your friends:
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