In Iceland's Defence
Iceland is one of the few nations without a national military. Its security relies on international alliances and a civilian defence force. Is this a sustainable strategy?
Iceland is an island of great beauty and even greater strategic importance. Its position in the Greenland Iceland UK Gap, the gateway between the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, makes it crucial to Nato operations in the High North.
But Iceland is one of the few nations in the world with no military of its own. A country of approximately 400,000 people, its security relies on the umbrella of protection it derives from being a founding member of NATO, a bilateral agreement with the United States signed in 1951 and a highly skilled coast guard and police force. In a climate of fracturing political alliances, is entrusting national defence so heavily on the guarantees of allies a sustainable strategy? Sandra Kanthal travelled to Reykjavik to find out.
Produced and presented by Sandra Kanthal
Studio mix: Neil Churchill
Production coordinator: Katie Morrison
Series editor: Penny Murphy
(Image Credit: BBC)
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