United States

Germany

Poland

Norway

Slovenia

Belarus

Russia

Politics

Russia is releasing eight political prisoners and eight citizens of Western governments in exchange for eight Russian intelligence officers and cybercriminals in the largest prisoner exchange between Russia and the West since the Cold War, CBS reported on Aug. 1. 

Russia, U.S.: Largest Prisoner Exchange Since Cold War Releases 24 People

Canada

Australia

Greece

France

Sweden

United Kingdom

Belgium

Austria

Switzerland

Italy

Afghanistan

The Afghan Taliban's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it would not honor documents, including passports and visas, issued by diplomats linked to the former Western-backed Islamic Republic of Afghanistan at several missions in Europe and other Western countries, AP reported on July 30. 

Afghanistan: Taliban Disavows Some Afghan Diplomatic Missions in Europe and Other Western Countries

Energy

Environment, Science & Technology

Science & Technology

Norwegian Minister of Energy Terje Aasland announced plans to award exploration licenses for Arctic seabed mining in the first half of 2025, Reuters reported June 27. 

Norway: Oslo to Award Exploration Licenses for Arctic Seabed Mining in 2025

Israel

Palestinian Territories

Spain

Ireland

Israel-Hamas Conflict

Norway, Spain and Ireland formally recognized Palestine as an independent country, France 24 reported on May 28.

Israel, Europe: More European Countries Recognize Palestinian Statehood

Economics

Military & Security

Norwegian, Irish and Spanish leaders said their governments will formally recognize Palestinian statehood on May 28, with the expectation that some other countries in the European Union would follow suit, Al Jazeera reported on May 22.

Palestinian Territories: Norway, Ireland, Spain To Recognize Palestinian Statehood on May 28

Eritrea

Cuba

Nicaragua

Venezuela

Egypt

Iran

Saudi Arabia

Turkey

China

Cyber

Reporters Without Borders published its 2024 World Press Freedom Index, indicating that suppression of journalists and political attacks on the press have "significantly intensified" in the last year, The Guardian reported on May 3.

Global: Press Freedom Declines Amid Pivotal Elections Around the World

Liechtenstein

Iceland

India

India and the European Free Trade Association, or EFTA, signed a free trade agreement on March 10 valued at $100 billion, Times of India reported on March 11.

India: Government Signs Trade Agreement Worth $100B With EFTA

Yemen

Yemen-based Houthi rebels fired an anti-ship cruise missile at the Strinda, a Norwegian-flagged tanker carrying Malaysian palm oil, in the Red Sea on Dec. 11, AP reported the next day.

Yemen: Houthi Missile Strikes Norwegian-Flagged Tanker

Assessments

Denmark

The Hywind Tampen floating offshore wind farm, situated between energy company Equinor's oil and gas fields Snorre and Gullfaks in the Norwegian North Sea off the coast of Bergen.

Russia-Ukraine Conflict

The likelihood of Russian attacks targeting Europe's offshore energy infrastructure is increasing, but Moscow is likely to avoid actions that could cause major disruptions.

Russia's Increasingly Aggressive Sabotage Threatens Europe's Offshore Energy Network

Europe

Hungarian police officers check cars at the Nickelsdorf-Hegyeshalom border crossing on the Austrian-Hungarian border on March 18, 2020. 

Increasing levels of migration, terrorism activity and Russian aggression in Europe are driving Schengen countries to tighten their border controls, heralding a more spotty functioning of the passport-free travel zone.

Growing Border Controls Threaten Europe's Schengen Area

Columns

On Geopolitics

Finland

A heavy-lift helicopter operated by the U.S. military flies over a tank in Setermoen, Norway, during a military exercise involving NATO troops and partner countries on March 22, 2022. 

The U.S.'s new pacts with Sweden, Finland and Denmark signal its intent to play a key role in transforming NATO's approach to securing its northern flank against Russia.

The Significance of U.S. Defense Cooperation Agreements in Northern Europe

Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang (3rd from right), Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store (4th from left) and members of their delegations meet in Oslo, Norway, on May 12, 2023. 

As the Arctic Council leadership transfers from Russia to Norway, China is positioning itself to play a greater role in Arctic matters.

In the Arctic, Russia's Geopolitical Isolation Opens New Doors for China

A Norweigan coast guard ship patrols the waters surrounding an  offshore gas platform in the Troll gas field off the west coast of Norway.

With its natural gas exports to Europe now nearing zero, Moscow may start targeting the continent's maritime oil and gas industry via cyberattacks and physical strikes. 

The Nord Stream Leaks Set a Precedent for Russian Attacks on Europe's Energy Infrastructure

Polar bears in Essen Bay off the coast of Zemlya Georga -- an island in the Franz Josef Land archipelago -- on August 22, 2021.

China in Transition

The suspension of Arctic Council activities following Russia's re-invasion of Ukraine presents an opening for China to challenge Arctic governance.

China's Opportunity to Break Into Arctic Governance

Guidance

Argentina

Iraq

The Jihadist Wars

A look at what the coming week will bring -- and a list of recommended Stratfor articles from the week that was.

The Weekly Rundown: 9/11 at Twenty

Snapshots

A photo taken in December 2014 shows Norway’s parliament building in Oslo. 

European Disintegration

The September vote will increase the influence of small parties that want to ban additional oil exploration and reduce Norway’s ties with the EU. 

How Norway’s Election Could Impact Its Economic Future

On Security

Stephan Balliet, who is accused of shooting two people dead after an attempt to storm a synagogue in Halle an der Saale, eastern Germany, wears a face mask as he waits for the start of the 18th day of his trial on Nov. 3, 2020, at the district court in Magdeburg, eastern Germany. The violent right-wing threat in Europe is growing as terrorists exploit ongoing political, economic, and social tensions to expand their activities, including plotting attacks.

Security

The violent right-wing threat in Europe is growing as terrorists exploit ongoing political, economic, and social tensions to expand their activities, including plotting attacks.

Right-Wing Terrorism in Europe: A Threat Poised to Expand in 2021

Netherlands

Emergency personnel on Oct. 31, 2020, in Lyon, France, at the scene of an attack on a Greek Orthodox priest. The continual reemergence of the Mohammed cartoon controversy suggests that this issue will remain an issue that motivates violence for years to come.

The continual reemergence of the Mohammed cartoon controversy suggests that this issue will remain an issue that motivates violence for years to come.

How Satirical Cartoons Have Become a Flashpoint for Violence in Europe and Abroad

Greenland

A Russian, nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine traverses the Barents Sea in the Arctic. 

The U.S. and the Balance of Power

Globalization

Russia's Internal Struggle

The world's northernmost frontier has taken on a renewed significance for the countries that have the most to lose, and gain, from the Arctic's melting ice and shifting political order.

A Warmer Arctic Makes for Hotter Geopolitics

The European Free Trade Association's members, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein and Norway, each have their own trade agendas.

The Fate of the Eurozone

The future of the small but wealthy European Free Trade Association is intertwined with that of its larger and better-known cousin, the European Union.

Trade Profile: The Fate of Europe's Other Trade Bloc Hangs in the Balance

Trade Profiles

<p>Located on the Scandinavian Peninsula, Norway shares land borders with Russia, Finland and Sweden and has coastline on the Barents, Norwegian and North Seas. The country&rsquo;s core lies in the southeast around its capital Oslo. This lowland region is Norway&rsquo;s most habitable and is closest to the more populated parts of Europe. With a rugged coastline consisting of about 50,000 islands, the Scandinavian Mountains stretching the length of the country and proximity to the Arctic, Norway is difficult to populate and, therefore, control. As a result, it has historically been dominated by regional powers such as Denmark and Sweden. After gaining independence in 1905 and maintaining neutrality throughout World War I, Norway was occupied by Nazi Germany in 1940 despite, again, proclaiming neutrality. Following the war, Norway joined NATO and tightened economic relations with continental Europe to increase its national security. As member of the European Economic Area, Norway is part of several European Union institutions. However, Norwegians rejected full EU membership in referendums in 1972 and 1994. With a population of only about 5 million people, Norway has forged close ties with other Nordic countries to stifle the influence of continental Europe and Russia. Offshore oil and natural gas discoveries in the late 1960s have made the country one of the richest in the world and are vital pillars to its modern economy. But as reserves in the North Sea are depleting, the Barents Sea and Arctic are gaining importance for their natural resources and potential trade routes. Therefore, the upcoming geographic challenge for Norway, with its small population, is to secure its interests in the north through exploration and regional collaboration.</p>

A Crude Recovery

SITUATION REPORTS

Russia, U.S.: Largest Prisoner Exchange Since Cold War Releases 24 People

Afghanistan: Taliban Disavows Some Afghan Diplomatic Missions in Europe and Other Western Countries

Norway: Oslo to Award Exploration Licenses for Arctic Seabed Mining in 2025

Israel, Europe: More European Countries Recognize Palestinian Statehood

Palestinian Territories: Norway, Ireland, Spain To Recognize Palestinian Statehood on May 28

Global: Press Freedom Declines Amid Pivotal Elections Around the World

India: Government Signs Trade Agreement Worth $100B With EFTA

Yemen: Houthi Missile Strikes Norwegian-Flagged Tanker

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