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Arctic States’ Comparative Sub-Strategic Security Policies

2022; Springer Nature (Netherlands); Linguagem: Inglês

10.1007/978-3-030-89948-6_3

2510-0475

Robert P. Wheelersburg,

Nuclear Issues and Defense

This chapter summarizes the current security policies and operational capabilities for each of the Arctic Eight countries. While those policies usually address the strategic level, to formulate the recommendation contained in this book, I concentrated on sub-strategic security policies, potential threats, and capabilities countries possess to meet those threats. For each country, I review the official publications containing Arctic security policy and highlight any recent changes to that policy. In addition, I examine how the countries intend to monitor their territories to identify suspicious activities using surveillance and reconnaissance. Next, I use official websites from security agencies and military units to describe the organization, personnel, and equipment they would use to defeat sub-strategic security threats like terrorism. The comparative analysis indicates that Iceland alone among the Arctic Eight is ill-prepared to deal with sub-strategic security threats that would overwhelm the police or coast guard. Based upon that analysis, I reach the conclusion that to improve its preparedness, Iceland should develop a security force. The recommended security force could be capable of meeting emergencies by assisting the police and coast guard, and in combination with other nations’ security forces.