The United States and the Soviet Union worked closely together during World War II to defeat Hitler's Germany. However, the Allied rupture and the ruthless competition over Nazi weapons technology began behind the scenes even before the end of the war and quickly escalated to their extremes. The superpowers began to seek a stronger foothold in the Arctic region. At the beginning of the Cold War, the North prepared for guerrilla warfare, tried to protect important intelligence, and tried to stay in the nuclear arms race.

Nuclear tests are increasing in size and bombers and spy planes are flying further north. The United States is increasing its activities in Greenland, while the Soviet Union is opening a nuclear test site to the north. Escalating espionage is leading to border and airspace violations in Finland. Due to the increased threat of attack, Norway is strengthening its defense lines in the north and increasing the number of soldiers. Sweden is seen as a potential future nuclear weapons state. It also has the fourth-strongest air force in the world.