The World on Saturday: Is Norway Ready for War?

Last year, the Norwegian parliament decided to spend 1635 billion kroner of taxpayers’ money on the Armed Forces over the next 10–12 years. As Norway strengthens its military, the country continues to develop and sell weapons, and NATO is taking on an increasingly central role in the public debate on security. How will this affect the Norwegian Armed Forces and Norwegian society in the years to come? Are we ready for war in Norway? Should we be ready for war?

Chief of Defence Eirik Kristoffersen writes in his book Beredt. Forsvarsevne og motstandskraft [Prepared. Defence Capability and Resistance] that military power alone is not enough to deal with rivalry among superpowers, cyberattacks and influence campaigns. Finance Minister Jens Stoltenberg recently stepped down after 10 years as Secretary General of NATO, which he describes in his book On My Watch. Leading NATO in a Time of War. In the book Krigens laboratorium [The Laboratory of War], journalist and university lecturer Unni Eikeseth explores the Norwegian arms industry and how Norwegian researchers are working to develop new weapons technology. Here they meet journalist, editor, and director of Tinius Kjersti Løken Stavrum to debate the issues.

The event will be held in Norwegian.