Nordic and Arctic Affairs: Icleand’s National Security Policy – Latest Progress
Authors: Alyson JK Bailes and Kristmundur Þór Ólafsson
Efforts to produce Iceland’s first-ever comprehensive national security policy began in 2008, but have been slowed by the economic crash and changes of government. A report from a parliament (Alþingi) working group in February 2014 reflects – for the first time – a broad political consensus on a national security strategy embracing new, non-military security challenges. It supports, with one party dissenting, continued membership in NATO. The way is open for the government to draft an official strategy on this basis.
This brief was produced for the Centre for Small State Studies at the Institute of International Affairs at the University of Iceland. It is available on their website.