Programme
11:30–11:35
Welcome: Dr. Ragnheiður Kristjánsdóttir, Adjunct Lecturer at the Faculty of History and Philosophy,
University of Iceland
11:35-12:15
New Documents on British Post-War Policy toward the Nordic Countries: Highlights and
Criticisms
Patrick Salmon, Professor and Chief Historian at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Dr.Tony Insall, Visiting Research Fellow at King’s College and Associate Editor of the Historians at the
Foreign Commonwealth Office
The editors of a recent volume of documents on British policy towards the Nordic Countries 1944–1951
discuss its context and the topics it covers. They will also highlight points of particular interest and
present the latest issue of Scandinavian Journal of History, which contains assessments of the volume by
leading Nordic Cold War historians.
12:15–12:35
From Self-Interested Idealism to Cold War Realism: British Foreign Policy and U.S. Post-War
Military Interests in Iceland
Valur Ingimundarson, Professor of Contemporary History at the Faculty of History and Philosophy,
University of Iceland
The presentation focuses on British policies toward Iceland, with special emphasis on the question of U.S.
bases and Western military integration,1945–1951.It details a shift from multilateral aspirations through
a UN-mandated security system to a U.S.-led Cold War agenda.
12:35–13:00
From Cold War to the Present: Lessons about Nordic Security and Cooperation?
Alyson Bailes, Adjunct Professor at the Faculty of Political Science, University of Iceland
In her discussion, Bailes picks out some themes in the history of the early post-war years that are
still relevant to Nordic politics – and to UK- Nordic relations – today, including the importance, and
limitations, of Nordic cooperation in security and defence.
13:00–13:30
Britain and the Nordic Countries: Historical/Contemporary Perspectives
Discussion led by Dr. Ragnheiður Kristjánsdóttir, Adjunct Lecturer at the Faculty of History and
Philosophy, University of Iceland
English-Speaking Union
of Iceland
SAGNFRÆÐISTOFNUN