The American warship sailed into the Oslofjord today, to several hundred spectators on the quay. There is a no-fly zone over the area, and the public must keep a distance of 500 metres. The ship will lie there for four days, before it travels on. A crew of over 4,500 will practice together with the Norwegian defense. But why has the US Navy chosen Norway? – Had it not been for Russia, this ship would hardly be in Oslo, says Andreas Østhagen, senior researcher at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute. Andreas Østhagen at Fridtjof Nansen’s institute believes that the US has chosen to visit Norway because of the Arctic. Photo: Oslo Nye Høyskole He points to Russia’s military forces in the Arctic. Norway also has it. – The US has increased interest in the Arctic, where Russia is leading, he says. Demonstration of ability The Russian embassy calls the whole thing a demonstration of power. Østhagen calls it a response to Russian presence, and that they have themselves to thank. – The US signals its ability to use force. They show strength, and they want to show off a big ship, he says. The world’s largest warship, the USS “Gerald R. Ford”, made the trip to Oslo: Photo: Onar Digernes Aase / Forsvaret The Arctic is an area of sea and land, in which eight countries have territory. The USA, Norway and Russia are three of them. But why is the US interested in showing a presence in the Arctic? Tor Ivar Strømmen, researcher in sea power theory in the Swedish Armed Forces, says that the USA has the greatest interest in the Arctic, and explains why: – The only thing that can destroy the USA militarily, in the short term, is Russia. Tor Ivar Strømmen in the Norwegian Defense Forces believes that Norway’s location has something to say about why the world’s largest warship is coming to Oslo. Photo: Valentina Baisotti / news The route to the warship is secret. If it sails towards the Arctic, Strømmen believes that Russia will react: – If the aircraft carrier is to travel towards the Arctic, Russia will be able to react by sending its own vessels and submarines, and show that they have the capacity to respond. They will probably act relatively aggressively to make their mark. Raudt critical of giving the US defense tasks Bjørnar Moxnes in Raudt believes it is important that countries manage to defend themselves, and points to more defense tasks being given to the Americans: – If more tasks were given to the Americans, it could increase tension in the North. The American ship is usually based in Virginia in the USA. Photo: Police helicopter Moxnes believes that this must be reversed. About the visit, he says this: – What the visit highlights is that we must strengthen our own defence. Positive for Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre welcomes allies to practice in Norwegian waters: – The fact that the vessel is visiting Oslo and practicing with our vessels, as well as showing up in NATO – it is not just a symbol, but a material expression of that the USA is at sea, says Støre to NTB. Hear also:
ttn-69
– If it weren’t for Russia, it would hardly be here – news Urix – Foreign news and documentaries
