Should Norway have a new civilian foreign intelligence service?
Sweden has recently made an important decision to establish a new civilian foreign intelligence service. Now, the question is being raised as to whether Norway should do the same to strengthen the country's security in a troubled world.
Experts point out that the current security situation requires more knowledge about what is happening outside Norway's borders. Today, it is primarily the Norwegian Intelligence Service under the Armed Forces that is responsible for gathering information from abroad. A civilian service could have complemented this work in a different way.
The argument for such a change is that Norway cannot afford to negotiate or make important decisions "in the dark." By having its own civilian agency, the authorities could gain better access to information necessary to protect Norwegian interests, the economy, and political freedom of action.
At the same time, there is a debate about how such a service should be organized and controlled. Establishing a new agency requires significant resources and strict rules for privacy and democratic oversight. It is therefore a process that requires thorough political assessment before potentially moving forward.
The discussion about Norwegian intelligence will likely continue in the time ahead. The government must now consider whether the current system is good enough, or if the Swedish experience should lead to changes here at home as well.