Island: En småstat på leting etter sin nisje

Sammendrag

Increased instability in the North Atlantic region has raised Iceland´s strategic importance again which can be detected in its foreign policy and the current emphasis on the increased importance of the Arctic region. This article explores how Iceland´s foreign policy has evolved from the time of the Cold War until the present day with a specific focus on its relations with its Nordic neighbors. An effort is made to describe Iceland´s current foreign policy and how Iceland has tried to create its niche in the international arena, using its smallness as a strength, rather than a weakness. The main elements presently apparent in Iceland´s foreign policy include skepticism towards EU membership although committed to participation in the EEA and Schengen, increased interest in Nordic cooperation especially relating to security and defense, a growing interest in the Arctic seen as fostering new opportunities for Iceland and finally, a continued commitment towards NATO and the bilateral defense agreement with the US.