
Stefan Lundqvist becomes Sweden's representative at the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies
On 3–4 February, the American Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies (TSC) visited the Swedish Defence University to deepen cooperation on research and education.
With this, a memorandum of understandiong is signed on the collaboration between the Swedish Defence University and TSC and Stefan Lundqvist, military teacher and researcher at the Department of War Studies, becomes the Swedish Defence University's and Sweden's representative at the centre.
He describes the assignment as a coordinating role, with opportunities to bring forward Swedish and Nordic perspectives, experiences and issues in the contexts in which TSC, which is organized under the U.S. Department of Defense, operates.
"I feel that there is a great interest from the American side to understand its allies in matters relating to the Arctic. In contexts related to these issues, it will be possible through TSC to contribute to increasing their understanding of our needs and how we think in Sweden."
The Swedish Defence University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor Anders Callert acts as responsible for the Swedish Defence University's representation at TSC. He coordinates the assignment with the Swedish Armed Forces, while Stefan Lundqvist coordinates knowledge contributions from employees at the Swedish Defence University and other Swedish authorities and universities. In the long term, he also hopes to develop close cooperation with the Norwegian and eventually also the Finnish representative in TSC, in order to be able to coordinate common Nordic perspectives.
"It helps us to have a greater effect when we spread knowledge in these contexts," says Stefan Lundqvist.
Education and research channels for Arctic issues
TSC has the task of further training personnel in the US Armed Forces and other US authorities in issues related to Arctic security, which is primarily done through digital courses. Stefan Lundqvist has been contributing to these with lectures on Swedish threat scenarios and strategies, on the Swedish and Nordic approach to the European Arctic, as well as Sweden's experiences of building societal resilience and total defence. This includes societal issues such as space cooperation, mining, energy production, infrastructure investments and contributions to NATO's defense of the Arctic Cap region.
The Swedish Defence University and TSC also collaborate on research on Arctic security issues. Stefan Lundqvist will contribute research articles in peer-reviewed journals, as well as with Swedish perspectives in conferences in which TSC and the Swedish Defence University participate.
"In my research, I will highlight Swedish interests and strategies in issues related to regional security from a broad perspective, but also address the dilemmas that arise between different interest groups – how do we in Sweden take on issues of mines, infrastructure, the environment and the interests of indigenous peoples? Of course, I will also highlight and problematize threats, risks and opportunities that are linked to developments in the Arctic."
Developments in the Arctic also affect us in Sweden
The ice in the Arctic is melting at an accelerating rate. Since 1979, nearly 40% of the ice has disappeared, according to the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center. As a result, new routes for sea freight are opening up, as well as opportunities for coastal states to extract valuable deposits of minerals, oil and gas in the mountains on land and in the seabed. In addition, the opportunities for fishing in the region are increasing.
Russia has expressed an extensive sphere of influence in important parts of the European Arctic, around its naval base on the Kola Peninsula. The Northeast Passage, which leads along the western and northern coasts of Norway and then further along the Russian Arctic coast towards Asia, is already important for Russia's and China's trade.
In October 2024, the Swedish government confirmed that Sweden is positive about taking leadership responsibility for NATO's advanced presence in northern Finland – with the task of defending NATO's northern flank, which borders Russia.
"A combination of societal and military interests makes this area increasingly important, and the Arctic is a high priority in Russia's strategies. Sweden's investments in space technology, energy production, mineral extraction and logistical infrastructure mean that northern Sweden is becoming increasingly strategically interesting for Russia as well", Stefan Lundqvist explains.
Sweden's extraction of high-quality iron ore corresponds to 85% of what is mined in the EU. Some ore deposits contain phosphorus, which can be converted into fertilizer, and rare earth minerals used in the manufacture of electric motors, batteries, and military equipment.
In the Arctic Cap and Svalbard there are also strategically located space bases: Esrange Space Center outside Kiruna, Andøya Space Center near Narvik, and SvalRak and SvalSat on Svalbard. Space bases with the ability to launch sounding rockets and satellites into space and download data from satellites that move around the earth.
"The combination of these strategic interests means that we in Sweden and in NATO need to shift our security focus northwards. Of course, we are not letting go of our focus on the Baltic Sea, but we need to change our perspective so that we also understand the global importance of the Arctic region, and its importance to us. Now we have to look north."
According to Stefan Lundqvist, we have so far only begun to scratch the surface of everything related to the northern part of the globe.
"There is a lot of room for research and future discussions about the Arctic. It is important that we in the Nordic Region further develop our strong sense of community and take our place in various forums in order to gain an impact and understanding of our national and common perspectives. I believe that the Swedish Defence University, together with the Ted Stevens Center, will be able to offer important meeting places for that exchange of knowledge."
Want to know more?
On February 4, 2025, the Swedish Defence University and the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies organized the conference "The US-Sweden Arctic Security Dialogue: Shaping the Future of Arctic Security and Deterrence" at the Swedish Defence University in Stockholm.
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- Published:
- 2025-02-04
- Last updated:
- 2025-02-04