Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide Warns of Modern Warfare's Limitations Amid Global Disruptions

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide has described the disruption in the Strait of Hormuz and Bab Al Mandeb strait due to the Iran war as “a very big concern”, adding that “every country on the planet is affected by [their] closure”. The global disruption “is a sign of our times”, Mr Eide said in an interview with The National on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly. “That war, but also the war in Ukraine, with the effective closing of much of the Black Sea, has global consequences,” he added.

Mr Eide, who previously served as Norway’s minister of defence, noted that these recent conflicts contrast sharply with previous decades. Addressing the global economic fallout, he emphasized that Norway is a seafaring and trading nation, experiencing blocked ships, surging transport costs, and severe interruptions that result in a less peaceful and less prosperous world.

Highlighting the shortcomings of modern military campaigns, the Norwegian Foreign Minister stated that the Iran war and the conflict in Ukraine demonstrate the limits of military power. He argued that military tools ultimately failed to achieve their intended political or strategic objectives, warning that rebuilding becomes increasingly difficult the longer these wars continue.

Turning to the Middle East, Mr Eide portrayed the situation in Palestine and Gaza as bleak and stagnant, noting that despite demobilization agreements, ongoing violence and extremist actions in the West Bank continue to undermine the prospect of a Palestinian state, even as international diplomatic recognition reaches record highs. On Syria, however, he expressed cautious optimism following meetings with President Ahmad Al Shara, praising the nascent state-building efforts and emphasizing the importance of international support and early investments to foster peace.