Deterrence and Reassurance: Increased relevance in the new strategic context?

Abstract

With great power rivalry and full-scale war in Europe, Norwegian security policy has, in some respects, ‘gone back to the future.’ Deterrence and reassurance have returned to Norwegian security discourse, with some even describing the concept as undergoing a theoretical renaissance. However, the international system has changed much since they were first introduced.

This thesis intends to add to this conversation about how the dual policy has changed to adapt to Norway’s changing circumstances, in what ways it has changed, and in what ways it still exists within its supposed theoretical roots. The thesis looks first at Russia and how the Norwegian perception of threat has changed in this period. Then, it looks at how Norway’s allies are perceived and how the Norwegian government shapes its Long-Term Plans for the Defence Sector between 2007 and 2024 to accommodate the differing circumstances.