As a founding member of the organization of the North Atlantic Treaty, Iceland does not have permanent armed forces. It is also not part of the European Union. However, recently, the country has been faced with growing risks due to increased military activity in the Far North, since climate change opens previously impassable waterways, the article notes. Iceland is simultaneously experiencing a growing antagonism between the administration of Trump and Europe, writes The Wall Street Journal.
Prime Minister Kristrun Frostadottir plans to hold an EU referendum by 2027, although some Icelanders believe that Trump's policy pushes them to an earlier entry into the block. One of the pressing issues is an overview of the national defense strategy that is now being discussed. Frostadottir noted that military activity in Iceland sometimes remained outside the field of vision. The minister said that the Icelanders are closely monitoring the development of events around Greenland, with which they have close ties.
Iceland, like other countries of Northern Europe, has long tried to protect the Arctic from militarization, the publication says. However, this is more impossible, so the Icelanders evaluate what an expanded defense might look.
It is noted that the United States is considered both Iceland and Greenland to critically important countries for internal security. Greenland is important for the detection of Russian missiles and state defense. It is also clarified that Russian submarines must pass the line near Iceland before attacking America.
