Small state security sector assistance in the age of great power competition

Abstract

This article argues how Security Sector Assistance (SSA) can be seen as a relevant tool for achieving small states strategic objectives in an indirect manner. The article directs focus toward how small states, by thinking indirectly, can ensure their own security concerns are being managed and remain influential actors in regional and global security politics in an age of great power competition. The soon-to-be two decades long, and still ongoing, global war on terror has defined several small states’ militaries around the world. This makes the current shift toward great power competition even more challenging. The interaction between great powers are dictating international politics; their strategic choices continuously shaping regional and global security. Small states seem to end up with little to no opportunity to influence the overall security-situation, international and regional strategies or politics. Yet, the authors argue there is plenty room for maneuver that allow small states to have a significant impact, and be a valuable partner – not a “free rider.”

Notes

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Additional information

Notes on contributors

Marius Kristiansen

Marius Kristiansen ([email protected]) is an active duty Norwegian Army Officer. He has been a member of the Norwegian Armed Forces since 2001, and he has served both in the Norwegian Navy and the Norwegian Army. He holds a BA in Military Leadership and Land Warfare from the Norwegian Military Academy, an Advanced Certificate in Terrorism Studies from the University of St. Andrews in the UK, and an MS in Defense Analysis from Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. He is also a Non-Resident Fellow with the Irregular Warfare Initiative, a jointly sponsored program between the Modern War Institute at West Point and the Empirical Studies of Conflict Project.

Njål Hoem

Njål Hoem ([email protected]) is an active duty Norwegian Army Officer. He joined the Norwegian Armed Forces in 2003, and has served in the Norwegian Army since. He holds a BA in Military Leadership and Land Warfare from the Norwegian Military Academy, has studied Leadership and Organizational Psychology at BI Norwegian Business School, and holds an MLitt in War Studies from University of Glasgow.