The United States and Iceland engaged in the annual U.S.-Iceland Strategic Dialogue in Reykjavik and Keflavik on May 2-3. The dialogue was led by various officials from both countries, including Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs Deputy Assistant Secretary Douglas Jones and Icelandic Permanent Secretary of State Martin Eyjólfsson, among others.
During the dialogue, it was noted that both countries have seen significant progress in their security cooperation since the previous meeting in Washington, D.C. The discussions ranged from expanding defense cooperation to addressing global security issues. The two delegations specifically focused on topics such as supporting Ukraine against Russia's aggression, developments in the Indo-Pacific region, the Middle East situation, and Arctic security.
One significant aspect highlighted was the U.S. submarines' periodic stops in Iceland over the past year. These stops have played a crucial role in enhancing U.S. presence in the North Atlantic and High North, contributing to the security of both Iceland and NATO. Additionally, both nations have continued their collaborative efforts in air policing and antisubmarine missions, both bilaterally and within the framework of NATO's missions.
The reaffirmation of the 1951 bilateral defense agreement underscored the commitment of the United States and Iceland to further strengthen their partnership and cooperation. This commitment reflects the shared interests and mutual security objectives of the two allies.
