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For eleven years did Norwegian soldiers efforts in Afghanistan. What goals should they meet and what was their mandate? Norwegian authorities have over the years argued for many, and sometimes divergent goals and objectives for the mission in Afghanistan. The only thing that has stayed the same is the commitment to 'a clear UN mandate.'. Adapted from the source document.

Introduction to a series of articles on the topic of empires. The analytical goal of the series is to contribute historical facts, concepts, and theories to the discussion of imperial tendencies in present time. The political goal of the series is to introduce historical documentation that certain political entities previously labeled "states" might be better understood in the context of the conceptualization of empires. The article argues the return of imperialistic relationships in global politics, in particular the imperial role of present-day USA and Russia. The terms of state and empire are defined as used in the series of articles. Nexon and Wright's binding strategies and pivoting strategies for within-segment relationships are outlined. The article deals with the analytical problem of empires rising within a system that uses states and state logic as the analytical unit of measure. The articles in the series will focus on European and transatlantic empires and will account for the rise and fall of each empire. References. E. Sundby

After a period of relative neglect in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Arctic is back on the agenda of the Russian authorities. To ensure efficient coordination and implementation of its Arctic strategy, the government in 2015 established a State Commission for Arctic Development. It was to serve as a platform for coordinating the implementation of the government's ambitious plans for the Arctic, for exchange of information among Arctic actors, and for ironing out interagency and interregional conflicts. Based on a case study of the State Commission for Arctic Development, this article has a twofold goal. First, it explores the current Russian domestic Arctic agenda, mapping key actors and priorities and examining the results achieved so far. Second, it discusses what this case study may tell us the about policy formulation and implementation in Russia today. We find that while the government's renewed focus on the Arctic Zone has yielded some impressive results, the State Commission has been at best a mixed success. The case study demonstrates how, in the context of authoritarian modernization, the Russian government struggles to come up with effective and efficient institutions for Arctic governance. Moreover, the widespread image of a Russian governance model based on a strictly hierarchic "power vertical" must be modified. Russia's Arctic policy agenda is characterized by infighting and bureaucratic obstructionism: even when Putin intervenes personally, achieving the desired goals can prove difficult.

An open debate where the eight central figures from the eight largest Norwegian political parties explain their foreign policy goals for the term 2009-2012. While all three leftwing parties stress the importance of climate change and equality, the criticism towards NATO intensifies when we moved from the center-left to the far left. The traditional center and right wing parties all emphasize the importance of free trade and globalization with an increased degree of skepticism in the center. The Progress Party stands out from the crowd by attacking foreign aid for increasing corruption and diminishing human rights in developing countries. L. Pitkaniemi

In this article the author argues that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) & the Olympic Movement have a more important role in international politics after the Cold War than they had during the Cold War. This is due to three factors: 1) the IOC & the Olympic Movement have taken a more active role in international politics-, 2) the IOC & the Olympic Movement have been given greater freedom of action in international politics; & 3) international organizations, such as the United Nations, to a greater degree than before, see the IOC & the Olympic Movement as important collaborators in achieving their own goals of peace & reconciliation. References. Adapted from the source document.

The Arctic Council Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG) recently released a report on the blue bioeconomy in the Arctic. In this paper, we discuss the Norwegian policy to promote the Norwegian blue bioeconomy, analysing the government's bioeconomy strategy and its strategy for marine residuals. We find that the strategies have several and partly incompatible goals, related to improving the economic, environmental, and social sustainability of the seafood sector. We discuss challenges and (missed) opportunities in the Norwegian government's strategy for turning the Norwegian economy towards blue growth. Our findings are supported by recent studies that conclude that more efficient and coherent policy actions are needed to ensure the sustainability of the marine bioeconomy.

Ten experts representing universities, newspapers and institutions provide their short comments on the Norwegian Parliament's address (2008-2009) regarding current and future foreign policy developments. Some of the given comments are general in nature whereas others target a particular part of the document such as immigration and Nordic co-operation. The general comments describe the address as predictable, status conforming and stable, but criticisms are given for downplaying the importance of the European Union. However, a commentator points out that this document still remains the most important source for understanding Norwegian foreign policy since it explains Norway's security policy, foreign policy goals and role in international organizations. L. Pitkaniemi

An analysis on NUPI's report Norwegian Self-Images and Norwegian Foreign Policy that focuses on what Norwegian foreign policy is and what it should be. Traditionally Norway is known for being a peaceful nation that supports the UN and works internationally as a part of NATO. Norway has two sets of foreign policy self-images: on one hand Norway has noble world improving goals and on the other hand Norway has strong arctic interests and a protectionist agricultural policy. Despite its relative stability, Norwegian foreign policy is significantly being shaped by globalization that affects both its dependence and its space of action. Adapted from the source document.

At the turn of 2014/15 ceased NATO International Security Assistance Force (ISAF). But Norway is still engaged militarily in Afghanistan, now in the new NATO-led operation Resolute Support Mission (RSM). RSM is the third operation with Norwegian troops in Afghanistan since the start of our engagement in 2001, in addition to a few individual officers in the United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). Conclusion of the ISAF operation is also the starting point for a comprehensive Norwegian evaluation, as mentioned in the introduction to this focus-gap of International Politics. This article looks at the relationship between Norwegian goal, choice of methods and means in Afghanistan. Since this is not a Norwegian operation, considered Norwegian efforts in an international context. Adapted from the source document.

Introduces sports aid and sports organizations as a form of foreign policy that demands more attention from political scientists. In Norway, a redefinition (1972-1973) of culture provided sports a political arena for the first time, which eventually expanded into the foreign aid territory and thus became a part of overall foreign policy. A similar kind of shift has taken place internationally as the UN declared year 2005 as "The International Year of Sport and Physical Education". The main goal for Norwegian sports aid is to enhance peace and democracy by providing opportunities for the people to engage in sporting activities by mainly building sporting infrastructure. A case study of this policy in action is provided. L. Pitkaniemi

The year 2019 was "the international year of the salmon" (IYS). The overarching aim was "to inform and stimulate outreach and research that aspires to establish the conditions necessary to ensure the resilience of salmon and people throughout the Northern Hemisphere;" further, to bring people together, share and develop knowledge, raise awareness and take action. This article is intended as a contribution to this goal. The article discusses how international law: the Law of the Sea Convention, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Convention for the Conservation of Salmon in the North Atlantic Ocean relate to conservation and management of wild salmon. The article has a special focus on bilateral cooperation on salmon stocks in boundary/transboundary rivers, and using as a case study the Tana river in Norway and Finland.