Norway: State Maneuvers for the Normalization of the Increasing Militarization

Featured image: Soldiers on the streets of Oslo as part of Operation Capital. Source: Tjen Folket Media

Tjen Folket Media writes that, as part of Operation Capital – aimed at normalizing the presence of armed military in the streets – thousands of armed military soldiers could be seen throughout the streets of Oslo. The operation was carried out by the Armed Forces between September 14 and 18, and 5,000 home guard soldiers were part of the operation.

Tjen Folket Media reports that residents may be stopped at road checkpoints, where soldiers are practicing stopping and inspecting vehicles. The Norwegian Armed Forces state that the public should get used to seeing them and that they are meant to “build relationships with local residents.”

According to the Armed Forces themselves, the large scale of the exercise is due to the global situation. A major military buildup is currently underway in Europe, including Norway. This means not only increasing the military budget but also further militarizing society and making Norwegian society more accustomed to a state of war. The visible presence of armed soldiers with machine guns on the streets of the capital is one such measure.

Another article by Tjen Folket Media sheds light on another operation aimed at the same purpose, where the Armed Forces organized a “military readiness week” in a high-school in Trondheim. The Education Minister Kari Nessa Nordtun and Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen both agree that the education should focus on “war readiness,” “total defense” and conscription.

This is one of many schools which have had a visit from the Armed Forces of Norway in recent times, but it is the first that have dedicated a full week to the normalization campaign of the Norwegian State.