‘Anti-Russia’ Escalation? Plans for New US Marine Base in Norway

As soon as early January, Norway may permit the US Marine Corps to deploy troops on its soil, furthering NATO’s goal of placing more military assets on Russia’s border, according to local media.

A rotating force of 300 US troops would be deployed in Vaernes, an air station outside the central Norwegian city of Trondheim about 100 kilometers from Russia, as part of what NATO claims to be an effort to deter “Russian aggression,” Norway’s Adresseavisen newspaper reported.

READ MORE: Norway mulls US troop deployment on its soil – Defense Ministry

The plan is yet to be approved by the Norwegian Parliament, where several parties oppose it for various reasons. Some politicians say inviting the US marines would violate the spirit of Norway’s 1949 commitment not to host foreign troops, while others say the government should not outsource its national security to the United States. Defense Minister Ine Eriksen Soreide is to address the MP’s concerns before they vote.

Meanwhile, US officials say maintaining 300 Marines in Norway would be beneficial.

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