Deterrence and Reassurance in the High North: A Norwegian Perspective

Please note: this event has passed

The High North is reemerging as a key arena of strategic competition, where NATO, Russia, and China are navigating an increasingly volatile security landscape. Russia’s evolving nuclear doctrine and growing use of grey-zone tactics are challenging long-held assumptions about deterrence thresholds and escalation risks. Meanwhile, the erosion of traditional stabilisation measures and rapid technological change are making Cold War-era deterrence frameworks increasingly unfit for purpose.

In the second seminar of the series, Svein Efjestad will offer a distinctly Norwegian perspective on how to balance deterrence and reassurance in the High North—where proximity to Russia, allied presence, climate change, and critical undersea infrastructure converge. Drawing on decades at the heart of Norway’s security policy, he will examine the credibility of NATO’s nuclear deterrence posture in the Arctic, how to manage escalation risks amid the reneal of Russia’s strategic capabilities, and what a sustainable reassurance approach looks like for local communities, allies, and partners. Efjestad’s remarks will be followed by a discussion with Peter Watkins on alliance cohesion, industrial capacity, and the practical choices facing policymakers in the decade ahead.

This event is open to the public and free to attend both in-person and online (via Zoom). In-person spaces are limited, so register now to secure your spot!

About the speakers

Svein Efjestad: A career Norwegian defence official, Svein Efjestad served as Director General for Security Policy (1995–2013) and later as Policy Director at Norway’s Ministry of Defence, following earlier roles in Oslo and at Norway’s NATO delegation focused on defence and nuclear planning. He has represented Norway in senior NATO bodies (including the High Level Group), chaired key bilateral and Nordic policy committees, and led the Norwegian Coast Guard Council for over two decades. His awards include the German Bundeswehr Cross of Honour in Gold (2014), Finland’s Order of the Lion (Commander, 2014), and the Norwegian Navy’s Medal of Merit (2021). He is currently a senior adviser at the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI)

Peter Watkins was Director General Security Policy (2014–17) and Director General Strategy & International (2017–18) in the UK Ministry of Defence, responsible for deterrence (including nuclear), NATO/EU relations, and defence industrial policy. Previous roles include Director General of the Defence Academy, Director of Operational Policy, and Counsellor (Defence Supply & Aerospace) at the British Embassy Bonn/Berlin. He is a NonExecutive Board Member of the UK Space Agency, a Council Member of Cranfield University, a Visiting Senior Fellow at LSE IDEAS, and an Associate Fellow of Chatham House. He was awarded a CB (2019) and a CBE (2004).

About the Deterrence Challenges in the High North Series

This series led by Professor Mats Berdal and Professor Målfrid Braut-Hegghammer at King’s aims to build capacity among NATO allies and generate new insights into the deterrence challenges facing the High North in the coming decade.

Through a series of high-level seminars, we bring together leading experts from the US, UK and Nordic NATO countries to exchange perspectives, foster collaboration, and develop evidence-based approaches to today’s most pressing strategic questions.