Nordområdene i endring: hvilke muligheter og utfordringer ligger i anvendelsen av norske spesialstyrker?

This thesis analyses a future use of the Norwegian Special Operations Forces (SOF) in the High North. The thesis addresses the question: “Which possibilities and challenges do the use of Special Operations Forces in the High North entail?” The introduction gives a brief history of the High North since the Cold War and examines the theory behind the use of SOF in order to create a foundation in which to understand the fundamentals of SOF and Special Operations. The introduction also introduces the components of the analytical framework for the thesis. A combination of interviews, relevant literature and official documents were used in order to triangulate relevant data. Relevant scenarios for the use of SOF in the High North are: terror attacks, crime, natural disasters and human failures and systems failures. These scenarios were chosen because of their relevance to the theme of this thesis. SOF characteristics were used to make a model in order to assess the relevance of these characteristics in relation to the selected scenarios. These characteristics are: Relative superiority, certain access, unconventional operations, integrated operations and strategic initiative. The challenges are as important to be aware of as the possibilities. These were identified as political symbolic effects, proportionality, exposure, as well as limited resources. Each scenario was examined in the light of these characteristics as well as the challenges of using SOF. The findings suggest that most characteristics are of relevance and will add value to operations in accordance to the chosen scenarios. There are, however, indications that decision makers should be aware of any negative impact the use of SOF can make, such as the political symbolic effect the use could present. Use of SOF in terror scenarios in the High North will first and foremost be “business as usual” with only minor modifications. The use of SOF in crime scenarios will most likely not be as relevant due to implications connected with political symbolic effect as well as complications connected with the principle of proportionality. The two last scenarios, natural disasters and human failures and systems failures will most likely be of utmost relevance for the use of SOF. In these cases, the SOF characteristics and capabilities will make a valuable addition to other existing national assets. In total, a more extensive use of SOF capabilities in the High North is worthwhile to be considered