Norwegian Security Policy After The Cold War :: essays research papers

Norwegian Security Policy after the Cold WarDespite widespread diplomatic discussion, and sentiment that the UN SecurityCouncil must be grow in order to maintain its long-term legitimacy, nogenerally acceptable formula for expansion has emerged. Concerns for obtainingor retaining voting power, and for preserving a body structured so as to be ableto take prompt and effective decisions, have prevented agreement. This articlereviews various criteria for evaluating restructuring proposals, and suggests aformula that, while not fundamentally change the distribution of power on theCouncil, might satisfy many states minimal requirements for an acceptablepackage of changes.The end of the Cold War between East and westbound has strengthened Norwegian hostage, which makes Norway no different from most other European countries.There are now more dimensions to security policy than there were when the rule aim was deterrence by means of ones own and allied military forces.Cold War perceptions of military threat no longer exist. In Norways factcase, however, it is possible to talk about a remaining strategic threat, whenreferring to Russian deployments in the far north. Such a threat is only a say-so one and is not imminent today. Yet it has to be acknowledged that warsbetween nations and ethnic groups have hardly been abolished. As a result, ithas become more demanding to identify the risk of fortify aggression directedagainst Norway The risk would seem to reside in the escalation of a whole seriesof completely different political developments. For example, these eventualitiescould take the form of the emergence of a nationalistic dictatorship, or thedevelopment of ungovernable political chaos in formerly communist countries.Because of the existence of approximately very large arsenals and supplies of militaryequipment, it is important to judge the political aims of potential opponents.These can change over time, not least if they represent irrational and war-ridden attitudes. The nuclear weapons of the great powers do not seem tohave any deterrent effect on "violent ethnic cleansing", and the emergence ofarmed conflicts in different areas can be difficult to predict.But a countrys security can also be subject to something that has become moretopical after the Cold War low level threats. These are related to some verydifferent types of irregular national border transgressions, for example world(prenominal) crime and various forms of pollution.The Cold Wars dominating concept, security by means of deterrence, iscomplemented by the concept of collective security. This harmonises well withthe traditional Norwegian approach to security policy of combining deterrencewith reassurance. The potential enemy is also a partner. A small country has no