The United States and Norway co-hosted the Nordic-Baltic + Regional Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI) Engagement on June 9-11, 2026, in Oslo, Norway. The National Defense University facilitated a one-day tabletop exercise as part of the engagement, applying the event's concepts and reflecting the distinct geopolitical and proliferation security dynamics of the Nordic-Baltic region.
This multilateral engagement brought together over sixty civilian, customs, law enforcement, and military leaders from Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Ukraine, and United States.
Participants shared information on specific current threats regarding the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), their means of delivery, and related materials; examined regional case studies; and identified ways to succeed in interdicting proliferation-related cargo. Through expert briefings, participants improved their understanding of the deceptive techniques used to transfer sensitive items to unauthorized end-users, proliferation finance and sanctions evasion risks, and the potential application of critical and emerging technologies to WMD.
Participants also explored the challenges of handling interdicted proliferation-related cargo and potential disposition options. Participants also sharpened their knowledge of counterproliferation actions and capabilities through a day-long tabletop exercise that included complex proliferation-related scenarios. Realistic challenges led participants to coordinate national-level responses internally, across borders, and to practice the use of a variety of tools and authorities to counter proliferation. These discussions improve interoperability among PSI partners to conduct interdictions and connect relevant stakeholders prior to incident response.
Finally, participants observed a PSI-relevant port demonstration designed to highlight Norway’s counterproliferation capabilities and interagency cooperation, as well as to promote best practices in response to specific, regional threats.
The PSI was established in 2003 to stop or impede transfers of WMD, their delivery systems, and related materials flowing to and from state and non-state actors of proliferation concern. Thus far, 116 states have endorsed the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles.
Countries participate in the PSI by endorsing the PSI Statement of Interdiction Principles. In doing so, PSI partners make a political commitment to take action to disrupt, individually or in coordination with other PSI states, transfers of WMD, their means of delivery, and related materials consistent with domestic and international laws and frameworks.
The Nordic-Baltic + Regional PSI Engagement series advances regional counterproliferation interdiction, export control, and sanctions implementation efforts. This series builds upon previous years efforts in Finland and Estonia. PSI engagements make America safer and stronger by improving individual capabilities and sharing the burden in our collective efforts to interdict WMD-related transfers that threaten the security of the United States via shared efforts with key partners and allies.
Source: U.S. Department of State, “United States and Norway Conduct Proliferation Security Initiative Engagement,” June 2026.