National Security or Legal Niceties? Norway Picks a Path

Submission Statement: Norway is facing a dilemma in balancing its national security concerns with its legal obligations regarding the sale of a large uninhabited plot of land on the Svalbard archipelago. Elisabeth Braw explains that because the land is privately owned and under treaty, Norway cannot legally restrict sales. However, it also wants to prevent adversaries from gaining a foothold in the strategically important Arctic region. Braw notes that Norway’s decision highlights questions about how Western nations can uphold the rule of law while countering threats to security.