Testing the Northern Flank: The UK, Norway and Exercise Cold Response

Britain's participation in the March 2012 Exercise Cold Response was a powerful indication of the country's strategic interest in the Arctic. Far from being a mere throwback to the Cold War, it signals the UK's intention to re-affirm its presence and capability in northern Europe as the global geostrategic significance of the Arctic grows. Regardless of whether the coalition government does release an Arctic strategy in 2013, Nordic neighbours, especially Norway, welcome this British commitment to the ‘High North’.