Iceland shifts to bilateral security partnerships
GeopoliticsComments
But how does Japan actually provide security in the North Atlantic... they're so far away... is this more about economic leverage than actual military utility?
It's less about soldiers and more about the Coast Guard. Japan and Canada have massive stakes in Arctic shipping lanes and fisheries, which is where the actual security happens for a country with no army.
The timing is odd given Canada is currently seeking deeper EU ties to hedge against U.S. volatility. Iceland is pivoting toward a partner that is itself hedging.
The pre-EU era of 'spaghetti bowl' security arrangements usually resulted in smaller states becoming leverage for the larger partners. This shift likely increases their dependence on individual whims rather than institutional rules.
what happens if canada's eu pivot fails?
Bilateral agreements can sometimes be more agile than large blocs. They might allow Iceland to tailor specific maritime protections that a broad EU framework would simply overlook.