Editorials

Sweden’s Deputy PM urges terror designation for Muslim Brotherhood affiliates

The Muslim Brotherhood infiltrates society and abuses democracy. It should be designated as a terrorist organisation, and mosques and institutions should be scrutinised. That is the view of the Christian Democrats (Kristdemokraterna) in Sweden, who also wish to halt foreign financing from extremists to foundations, associations and congregations in Sweden. They further seek to stop the disbursement of Swedish taxpayers’ funds to extremist organisations.

On the other side of the mound

The EU’s Kaja Kallas called for an Arctic strategy in Tromsø, but Brussels has little to offer. Will Norway become the EU’s proxy in the north? Greenland buzz offers an excuse, and Russian Arctic mobilization might relieve Ukraine—yet it’s a risky play Norway isn’t equipped for.

The violent left poses a growing threat

The killing of Conservative student Quentin Deranque in France signals a rising threat from violent left-wing extremism across Europe. France’s justice minister blames inflammatory rhetoric from the radical left for fueling such attacks, while Denmark’s security service has elevated its alert level against left-wing extremists. The assassination of conservative figure Charlie Kirk should have been Europe’s wake-up call.

When the mighty fall, they land softly

When regular employees get caught up in serious criminal cases, they lose their jobs, their income, and their security. When it happens to those at the very top of the system, they’re relieved of all duties while keeping full pay. The double standard is outrageous. Try telling a single mother stressing over her power bill that Mona Juul is still collecting 1.5 million kroner a year for doing absolutely nothing.

The toxic culture in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs – seen from the inside

When the party handbook becomes too dominant and the roles of political leadership and the civil service blur into one another, professional integrity erodes and lines of accountability grow unclear. This toxic culture is especially pronounced in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (UD). In such systems, a culture quickly takes root in which regulations, meritocratic principles, and expert assessments become difficult to uphold. Loyalty to the leadership’s political and personal interests – and to one’s own career prospects – weighs far more heavily than professional integrity or the organisation’s overarching objectives.

Eight dangerous asylum seekers and ten neighbours: – Bloody man in the garden

A barracks in Norway’s far north has in recent years been used as a reception centre for particularly dangerous asylum seekers. The nearest police patrol is at least half an hour away. The foreigners move about freely, creating unease and frustration among the ten permanent residents, who are calling for better security: “We no longer want to take part in this experiment.”

Architecture of Impunity

In 1996, Terje Rød-Larsen faced a public tax case with full details exposed. The tax authorities had to decide whether to reopen his assessment before the ten-year deadline expired in 39 days. Economist Eirik Reppen reviewed the documents on national TV: a 600,000 kroner share gain in Fideco, potentially taxable as salary income. If so, he owed nearly 400,000 kroner in underpaid tax—rising to 843,000 with interest and penalties, or over 700,000 without them. These are hard numbers, not opinions.

Something is rotten in the state of Norway

The Norwegian Epstein network could have been taken straight from Shakespeare’s «Hamlet», with deep corruption at the centre of power. That the scandal has cast a sharper spotlight on Norway than on the other Nordic countries is clearly connected to Norwegian Middle East policy, the Oslo Process and the large sack of aid funds which the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disposes of without control or concern for where the money ends up.

Now begins Lent – the Christian fasting season before Easter

For many Scandinavians, Lent itself has become an unfamiliar word. Yet it is one of Christianity’s oldest and most biblical practices. Let us recover what these observance days truly mean as they lead towards Easter, the Church year’s greatest feast. We are dust – and we are loved.

Støre’s self-esteem bruised by Trump

Norway PM Støre’s address to the Storting echoed the interwar years, casting the US as the chief destabiliser through its “unconcealed use of force”. It rings hollow, then, to claim our security footing is unchanged. On his account, it is hardly certain the US would always come to our aid, whatever the Government does.