After the end of the Cold War the security situation changed totally. This is especially true for the European North, which was and still is as far as we consider the Kola Peninsula for some strategic reasons the most militarised area of the world. This of course had serious influences on the security situation and the security policy of the Western countries. The Northern Countries with Sweden and Finland took the way of neutrality, while Norway and Denmark joined the NATO.
Now the old confrontation between West and East disappeared, so that problems relating to this do not exist anymore. But also new problems emerged and some problems only changed their face.
This essy gives a brief overview over the security challenges in the European North, it shows some possible reactions to these challenges and tries to value, if the existing Nordic Co-operation can be useful in this.
Table of Contents
1.) Introduction
2.) “New” Security Challenges after the Cold War
3.) Possible reactions to the “new” Security Challenges
4.) Nordic Co-operation and “New” Security Challenges
5.) Literature
Objectives and Core Topics
This paper examines the transformation of the security landscape in the European North following the end of the Cold War. It aims to identify the emerging security challenges in the region, evaluate potential strategic responses, and analyze the effectiveness of existing Nordic cooperation frameworks in addressing these contemporary threats.
- Shifting military and strategic dynamics in the European North.
- New non-traditional security threats including border control and environmental risks.
- Evaluation of regional and sub-regional cooperation mechanisms like the Barents Euro-Arctic Region and the Arctic Council.
- The role of the European Union and the "Northern Dimension" in regional integration.
- Confidence-building measures and the potential for mediation by non-aligned states.
Excerpt from the Book
“New” Security Challenges after the Cold War
Although the danger for a confrontation between Russia and the members of the NATO is less important anymore, it is still possible. This decrease of threat does not mean that the military importance of the region also has decreased. This has several reasons on both sides. For Russia these are for instance the loss of naval facilities through the break-up of the USSR in the Baltic States and the Black Sea, here namely the Black Sea Fleet. The START agreements between Russia and the USA also promotes this importance, because according to them the land-based nuclear weapon delivery systems are reduced to favour of more invulnerable submarine-based ones to reduce the temptation to launch am pre-emptive strike.
The whole amount of Russian Air and Ground Forces has not been not reduced very much, what is due to the fact that the troops from all Eastern Europe and the Baltic States had to be redeployed. Especially in the St. Petersburg Region the concentration has significantly swelled. The whole region now is the key sector of Russian military defence. A use of this forces could still cause vast destruction in the whole region.
This still great concentration of military forces and equipment in the region makes it for the Western Countries understandably difficult to reduce their military interest. This is not only due to the - currently decreasing – possibility of a direct military confrontation, but to other conflicts from outside or inside Russia. Although the Barents Region until now is a very quiet corner of international politics there is no guarantee that political and ethnic conflicts in other regions cannot spread as the example of Yugoslavia shows. This outside contagion could as well as a civil war in Russia lead to Russian government losing control over military forces in the Barents Region. As the confrontation between Jeltsin and the parliament in 1993 showed a civil war is not totally out of sight and the economic distress Russia is in for some years now makes it even more possible.
Summary of Chapters
1.) Introduction: Provides an overview of the shifting security landscape in the European North after the Cold War and defines the scope of the study.
2.) “New” Security Challenges after the Cold War: Analyzes the ongoing military concentration in the region and highlights non-traditional challenges such as border security and environmental contamination.
3.) Possible reactions to the “new” Security Challenges: Discusses confidence-building measures, military-to-military cooperation, and the necessity of Western assistance in stabilizing the region.
4.) Nordic Co-operation and “New” Security Challenges: Evaluates the role of regional and sub-regional structures, including the EU, in fostering integration and security.
5.) Literature: Lists the academic sources and reports utilized to support the analysis.
Keywords
European North, Security Challenges, Cold War, Nordic Cooperation, NATO, Russia, Barents Region, Environmental Protection, Border Control, Military Strategy, European Union, Northern Dimension, Confidence Building, Conflict Resolution, Regional Integration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this research paper?
The paper explores the changing security dynamics in the European North, focusing on how post-Cold War developments have created both new challenges and new opportunities for regional cooperation.
What are the primary thematic fields addressed?
The core themes include military and strategic shifts, environmental risks such as nuclear waste, border control issues, and the evolution of regional cooperative frameworks.
What is the main objective of the analysis?
The primary goal is to assess whether existing Nordic and international cooperative structures are sufficiently equipped to mitigate the diverse security threats currently facing the region.
Which methodology is employed in this study?
The paper utilizes a qualitative analysis of international relations and security reports to overview regional challenges and evaluate the utility of established and emerging cooperation mechanisms.
What specific topics are covered in the main section?
The main sections address the persistence of military concentration, the emergence of environmental hazards, the influence of the European Union, and the potential for mediation by non-aligned countries.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Key terms include Northern security, Barents region, Russia-NATO relations, sub-regional cooperation, and the European Union’s Northern Dimension.
How does the author characterize the environmental security threats in the region?
The author highlights the contamination of "international commons" via radioactive materials and exhaust fumes, emphasizing the risks posed by inadequate storage facilities for nuclear waste from decommissioned submarines.
What role is suggested for Finland in the future of the region?
Due to its non-aligned status, Finland is identified as a potential mediator capable of providing "good offices" to facilitate negotiation and peaceful solutions in the event of regional conflicts.
- Quote paper
- Georg Schwedt (Author), 2001, New security challenges in the European north, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/54539
