Announcing our newest collection of oral histories for our Collective Memory Project: "Transatlantic Diplomacy after 9/11: The U.S. & Norway." This project dives deep into the unique U.S-Norway relationship during the George W. Bush presidency /1 https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Research/Institutes-and-Centers/Center-for-Presidential-History/CMP/U,-d-,S,-d-,-Norwegian-Diplomacy

After 9/11, Norway found itself in a trying diplomatic position. How, as a NATO member, to build its alliances w/ powerful European nations, maintain a strong relationship w/ the U.S., & make its own security decisions amidst the Global War on Terror. /2 https://www.smu.edu/-/media/Site/Dedman/Academics/InstitutesCenters/CPH/Collective-Memory-Project/U,-d-,S,-d-,-Norwegian-Diplomacy-Interviewee-Widgets/Project-Description--Transatlantic-Diplomacy-USNorway-Project.pdf?la=en

CPH Fellow Dr. LaiYee Leong pioneered this project, interviewing 15 key people whose experience & expertise could help us--and most importantly, future generations--understand the U.S.-Norwegian alliance during this critical time. /3 https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Research/Institutes-and-Centers/Center-for-Presidential-History/People/People/Fellows/Leong

The group of interviews Dr. Leong was able to assemble represents an absolute Who's Who of U.S-Norwegian relations during the George W. Bush presidency. Prime minister, cabinet members, diplomats, scholars & more. Follow along this thread as we highlight a few. /4

Prime Minister Kjell Magne Bondevik led Norway from 1997 to 2000, & again from 2001-2005. Bondevik's filmed interview & transcript remain sealed until late-2022, but you'll see them first at the CPH! /5

Kristin Krohn Devold, a long-standing member of parliament and served as Minister of Defense in the Bondevik cabinet from 2001 to 2005. /6 https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Research/Institutes-and-Centers/Center-for-Presidential-History/CMP/U,-d-,S,-d-,-Norwegian-Diplomacy/Kristin-Krohn-Devold

An interview with Kristin Halvorsen, Minister of Finance under Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg (2005-2009), during George W. Bush's second term. /7 https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Research/Institutes-and-Centers/Center-for-Presidential-History/CMP/U,-d-,S,-d-,-Norwegian-Diplomacy/Kristin-Halvorsen

We interviewed two U.S. ambassadors to Norway, whose combined time of service in Norway comprised virtually all of Bush's two terms in office: John Ong (2002-05) and Benson Whitney (2005-09). /8

We also interviewed Knut Vollebæk, Norway's ambassador to the U.S (2001-07). In keeping with our broad goals for the Collective Memory Project, we aim to document a breadth of perspectives on specific topics, not just the perspective of U.S. officials. /9 https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Research/Institutes-and-Centers/Center-for-Presidential-History/CMP/U,-d-,S,-d-,-Norwegian-Diplomacy/Knut-Vollebaek

You can watch all the available interviews & download full transcriptions on our website. Visit the main landing page for "Transatlantic Diplomacy after 9/11: The U.S. & Norway" here: https://www.smu.edu/Dedman/Research/Institutes-and-Centers/Center-for-Presidential-History/CMP/U,-d-,S,-d-,-Norwegian-Diplomacy /fin