{"id":{"repo_id":"bifrost","oai_identifier":"oai:skemman.is:1946/52101"},"canonical_url":"https://search.dev.ndltd.org/etd/bifrost/oai:skemman.is:1946/52101","repository":{"repo_id":"bifrost","name":"Bifröst University","base_url":"https://skemman.is/oai/request"},"display":{"title":"NATO's Hybrid Defence Framework and the Sovereignty of Small States: The case of Iceland.","abstract":"This thesis examines how NATO´s hybrid defence framework enables small states to safeguard sovereignty through resilience and alliance cooperation. Using Iceland as a case study, it explores how a founding NATO member without standing armed forces operationalises Articles 3 and 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty through civilian institutions, crisis management structures, and protection of critical infrastructure. The study employs qualitative thematic analysis of policy documents, interviews, and NATO strategic texts, guided by Braun and Clarke´s (2006) reflexive analytical approach. Findings show that Iceland´s security model has shifted from a Cold War dependence on U.S. defence to a resilient-centred system integrated into NATO´s hybrid defence architecture. National frameworks—including the National Security Policy, Cyber Security Policy, and the Civil Protection and Security Strategy—domesticate NATO principles by prioritising cyber resilience, information integrity, and whole-of-society preparedness. Iceland contributes to NATO through functional specialisation, notably its strategic position in the GIUK Gap, radar and surveillance capabilities, and civilian crisis coordination. The case demonstrates that institutional adaptability and resilience can compensate for the absence of conventional military power. The thesis develops three complementary conceptual tools to explain how sovereignty can be reinforced through cooperative resilience: the Escalation Model of Hybrid Conflict (EMHC), the Multi-Level Hybrid Sovereignty Framework (MLHSF), and the concept of Resilient Interdependence. Together, they illustrate how small states can exercise strategic agency in the hybrid era, where resilience itself functions as a form of power within collective defence. Keywords: Iceland, NATO, hybrid defence, resilience, sovereignty, small states, resilient interdependence, Multi-Level Hybrid Sovereignty Framework (MLHSF), Escalation Model of Hybrid Conflict (EMHC), Arctic.","abstract_html":"This thesis examines how NATO´s hybrid defence framework enables small states to safeguard sovereignty through resilience and alliance cooperation. Using Iceland as a case study, it explores how a founding NATO member without standing armed forces operationalises Articles 3 and 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty through civilian institutions, crisis management structures, and protection of critical infrastructure. The study employs qualitative thematic analysis of policy documents, interviews, and NATO strategic texts, guided by Braun and Clarke´s (2006) reflexive analytical approach. Findings show that Iceland´s security model has shifted from a Cold War dependence on U.S. defence to a resilient-centred system integrated into NATO´s hybrid defence architecture. National frameworks—including the National Security Policy, Cyber Security Policy, and the Civil Protection and Security Strategy—domesticate NATO principles by prioritising cyber resilience, information integrity, and whole-of-society preparedness. Iceland contributes to NATO through functional specialisation, notably its strategic position in the GIUK Gap, radar and surveillance capabilities, and civilian crisis coordination. The case demonstrates that institutional adaptability and resilience can compensate for the absence of conventional military power. The thesis develops three complementary conceptual tools to explain how sovereignty can be reinforced through cooperative resilience: the Escalation Model of Hybrid Conflict (EMHC), the Multi-Level Hybrid Sovereignty Framework (MLHSF), and the concept of Resilient Interdependence. Together, they illustrate how small states can exercise strategic agency in the hybrid era, where resilience itself functions as a form of power within collective defence. Keywords: Iceland, NATO, hybrid defence, resilience, sovereignty, small states, resilient interdependence, Multi-Level Hybrid Sovereignty Framework (MLHSF), Escalation Model of Hybrid Conflict (EMHC), Arctic.","abstract_has_math":false,"creators":["Halldóra S. Brandsdóttir 1970-"],"institution":null,"degree_name":null,"degree_level":null,"degree_discipline":null,"degree_department":null,"school":null,"contributors":["Háskólinn á Bifröst"],"advisors":[],"committee_chairs":[],"committee_members":[],"year":2026,"date_issued":"2026-02-14T15:31:29Z","date_published":"2026-02-14T15:31:29Z","updated_at":"2026-07-27T18:51:17Z","subjects":["Ísland","Varnarmál","Fullveldi","Norðurslóðir","Atlantshafsbandalagið"],"languages":["en"],"rights":[],"rights_urls":[],"identifier_entries":[]},"links":{"outbound_url":"https://hdl.handle.net/1946/52101","outbound_label":"Handle","outbound_source":"dc:identifier.uri"},"metadata_groups":[{"id":"people","label":"People","entries":[{"key":"dc:contributor","label":"Contributor","values":["Háskólinn á Bifröst"]},{"key":"dc:creator","label":"Author","values":["Halldóra S. Brandsdóttir 1970-"]}]},{"id":"academic_context","label":"Academic Context","entries":[{"key":"dc:date.accessioned","label":"Dc Date Accessioned","values":["2026-02-14T15:31:25Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.available","label":"Dc Date Available","values":["2026-02-14T15:31:25Z"]},{"key":"dc:date.issued","label":"Date","values":["2026-02-14T15:31:29Z"]},{"key":"dc:type","label":"Dc Type","values":["Thesis"]}]},{"id":"subjects_keywords","label":"Subjects and Keywords","entries":[{"key":"dc:subject","label":"Dc Subject","values":["Ísland","Varnarmál","Fullveldi","Norðurslóðir","Atlantshafsbandalagið"]}]},{"id":"language_rights","label":"Language and Rights","entries":[{"key":"dc:language.iso","label":"Language (ISO)","values":["en"]}]},{"id":"identifiers","label":"Identifiers","entries":[{"key":"dc:identifier.uri","label":"Identifier URI","values":["https://hdl.handle.net/1946/52101"]}]},{"id":"additional","label":"Additional Metadata","entries":[{"key":"dc:description.abstract","label":"Abstract","values":["This thesis examines how NATO´s hybrid defence framework enables small states to safeguard sovereignty through resilience and alliance cooperation. Using Iceland as a case study, it explores how a founding NATO member without standing armed forces operationalises Articles 3 and 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty through civilian institutions, crisis management structures, and protection of critical infrastructure. The study employs qualitative thematic analysis of policy documents, interviews, and NATO strategic texts, guided by Braun and Clarke´s (2006) reflexive analytical approach. Findings show that Iceland´s security model has shifted from a Cold War dependence on U.S. defence to a resilient-centred system integrated into NATO´s hybrid defence architecture. National frameworks—including the National Security Policy, Cyber Security Policy, and the Civil Protection and Security Strategy—domesticate NATO principles by prioritising cyber resilience, information integrity, and whole-of-society preparedness. Iceland contributes to NATO through functional specialisation, notably its strategic position in the GIUK Gap, radar and surveillance capabilities, and civilian crisis coordination. The case demonstrates that institutional adaptability and resilience can compensate for the absence of conventional military power. The thesis develops three complementary conceptual tools to explain how sovereignty can be reinforced through cooperative resilience: the Escalation Model of Hybrid Conflict (EMHC), the Multi-Level Hybrid Sovereignty Framework (MLHSF), and the concept of Resilient Interdependence. Together, they illustrate how small states can exercise strategic agency in the hybrid era, where resilience itself functions as a form of power within collective defence. Keywords: Iceland, NATO, hybrid defence, resilience, sovereignty, small states, resilient interdependence, Multi-Level Hybrid Sovereignty Framework (MLHSF), Escalation Model of Hybrid Conflict (EMHC), Arctic.","Þessi ritgerð fjallar um hvernig samræmd varnarumgjörð NATO gerir smáríkjum kleift að tryggja og efla fullveldi sitt með seiglu og samstarfi innan bandalagsins. Ísland er notað sem tilviksrannsókn þar sem skoðað er hvernig stofnríki NATO, án eigin hers, innleiðir 3. og 5. grein Norður-Atlantshafsályktunarinnar í gegnum borgaraleg stjórntæki, viðbúnaðarkerfi og verndun mikilvægra innviða. Beitt er eigindlegri þemagreiningu á stefnumótunarskjölum, viðtölum og stefnumótandi textum NATO samkvæmt nálgun Braun og Clarke (2006). Niðurstöðurnar sýna að öryggislíkan Íslands hefur þróast frá því að vera hernaðarlega háð Bandaríkjunum á tímum kalda stríðsins yfir í seiglumiðað og samþætt kerfi sem fellur að varnarstefnu NATO gegn blönduðum ógnum. Fjöldi innlendra stefnumótunarskjala endurspegla meginreglur NATO um varnir gegn blönduðum ógnum, þar á meðal þjóðaröryggisstefna, netöryggisstefna og stefna í almannavörnum og öryggismálum. Þessar stefnur innleiða meginreglur NATO með áherslu á netöryggi, upplýsingaöryggi og heildrænan samfélagslegan viðbúnað. Framlag Íslands til NATO felst í sérhæfðri virkni sem byggir á landfræðilegu mikilvægi á GIUK-svæðinu, ratsjár- og eftirlitshæfni og borgaralegri samhæfingu í áföllum. Tilvikið sýnir að stofnana- og aðlögunarhæfni geta vegið upp á móti skorti á hefðbundinni hernaðargetu. Í ritgerðinni eru sett fram tvö fræðileg líkön og eitt lykilhugtak sem skýra hvernig fullveldi smáríkja er styrkt með samvirkri seiglu: stigvaxandi líkan blandaðra átaka (EMHC), fjölþætt fullveldishugtak í blönduðum aðstæðum (MLHSF) og hugtakið „viðnámsþolin víxltengsl.“ Saman varpa þau ljósi á hvernig smáríki geta beitt stefnumótandi frumkvæði á tímum blandaðra ógnar, þar sem seigla verður sjálf að áhrifavaldandi þátti í sameiginlegri vörn. Lykilorð: Ísland, NATO, blandaðar varnir, seigla, fullveldi, viðnámsþolin víxltengsl, stigvaxandi líkan blandaðra átaka (EMHC), fjölþætt fullveldishugtak í blönduðum aðstæðum (MLHSF), norðurslóðir."]},{"key":"dc:title","label":"Title","values":["NATO's Hybrid Defence Framework and the Sovereignty of Small States: The case of Iceland."]}]}],"canonical_facts":{"dc:contributor":["Háskólinn á Bifröst"],"dc:creator":["Halldóra S. Brandsdóttir 1970-"],"dc:date.accessioned":["2026-02-14T15:31:25Z"],"dc:date.available":["2026-02-14T15:31:25Z"],"dc:date.issued":["2026-02-14T15:31:29Z"],"dc:description.abstract":["This thesis examines how NATO´s hybrid defence framework enables small states to safeguard sovereignty through resilience and alliance cooperation. Using Iceland as a case study, it explores how a founding NATO member without standing armed forces operationalises Articles 3 and 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty through civilian institutions, crisis management structures, and protection of critical infrastructure. The study employs qualitative thematic analysis of policy documents, interviews, and NATO strategic texts, guided by Braun and Clarke´s (2006) reflexive analytical approach. Findings show that Iceland´s security model has shifted from a Cold War dependence on U.S. defence to a resilient-centred system integrated into NATO´s hybrid defence architecture. National frameworks—including the National Security Policy, Cyber Security Policy, and the Civil Protection and Security Strategy—domesticate NATO principles by prioritising cyber resilience, information integrity, and whole-of-society preparedness. Iceland contributes to NATO through functional specialisation, notably its strategic position in the GIUK Gap, radar and surveillance capabilities, and civilian crisis coordination. The case demonstrates that institutional adaptability and resilience can compensate for the absence of conventional military power. The thesis develops three complementary conceptual tools to explain how sovereignty can be reinforced through cooperative resilience: the Escalation Model of Hybrid Conflict (EMHC), the Multi-Level Hybrid Sovereignty Framework (MLHSF), and the concept of Resilient Interdependence. Together, they illustrate how small states can exercise strategic agency in the hybrid era, where resilience itself functions as a form of power within collective defence. Keywords: Iceland, NATO, hybrid defence, resilience, sovereignty, small states, resilient interdependence, Multi-Level Hybrid Sovereignty Framework (MLHSF), Escalation Model of Hybrid Conflict (EMHC), Arctic.","Þessi ritgerð fjallar um hvernig samræmd varnarumgjörð NATO gerir smáríkjum kleift að tryggja og efla fullveldi sitt með seiglu og samstarfi innan bandalagsins. Ísland er notað sem tilviksrannsókn þar sem skoðað er hvernig stofnríki NATO, án eigin hers, innleiðir 3. og 5. grein Norður-Atlantshafsályktunarinnar í gegnum borgaraleg stjórntæki, viðbúnaðarkerfi og verndun mikilvægra innviða. Beitt er eigindlegri þemagreiningu á stefnumótunarskjölum, viðtölum og stefnumótandi textum NATO samkvæmt nálgun Braun og Clarke (2006). Niðurstöðurnar sýna að öryggislíkan Íslands hefur þróast frá því að vera hernaðarlega háð Bandaríkjunum á tímum kalda stríðsins yfir í seiglumiðað og samþætt kerfi sem fellur að varnarstefnu NATO gegn blönduðum ógnum. Fjöldi innlendra stefnumótunarskjala endurspegla meginreglur NATO um varnir gegn blönduðum ógnum, þar á meðal þjóðaröryggisstefna, netöryggisstefna og stefna í almannavörnum og öryggismálum. Þessar stefnur innleiða meginreglur NATO með áherslu á netöryggi, upplýsingaöryggi og heildrænan samfélagslegan viðbúnað. Framlag Íslands til NATO felst í sérhæfðri virkni sem byggir á landfræðilegu mikilvægi á GIUK-svæðinu, ratsjár- og eftirlitshæfni og borgaralegri samhæfingu í áföllum. Tilvikið sýnir að stofnana- og aðlögunarhæfni geta vegið upp á móti skorti á hefðbundinni hernaðargetu. Í ritgerðinni eru sett fram tvö fræðileg líkön og eitt lykilhugtak sem skýra hvernig fullveldi smáríkja er styrkt með samvirkri seiglu: stigvaxandi líkan blandaðra átaka (EMHC), fjölþætt fullveldishugtak í blönduðum aðstæðum (MLHSF) og hugtakið „viðnámsþolin víxltengsl.“ Saman varpa þau ljósi á hvernig smáríki geta beitt stefnumótandi frumkvæði á tímum blandaðra ógnar, þar sem seigla verður sjálf að áhrifavaldandi þátti í sameiginlegri vörn. Lykilorð: Ísland, NATO, blandaðar varnir, seigla, fullveldi, viðnámsþolin víxltengsl, stigvaxandi líkan blandaðra átaka (EMHC), fjölþætt fullveldishugtak í blönduðum aðstæðum (MLHSF), norðurslóðir."],"dc:identifier.uri":["https://hdl.handle.net/1946/52101"],"dc:language.iso":["en"],"dc:subject":["Ísland","Varnarmál","Fullveldi","Norðurslóðir","Atlantshafsbandalagið"],"dc:title":["NATO's Hybrid Defence Framework and the Sovereignty of Small States: The case of Iceland."],"dc:type":["Thesis"]},"updated_at":"2026-07-27T18:51:17Z"}