varnarlið

Varnarlið is an Icelandic term that translates to "defense force" or "military force." Historically, Iceland did not possess its own standing army. Following World War II and the establishment of NATO, Iceland became a member but relied on other nations for its defense. The United States established a military presence in Iceland under a bilateral agreement, which was often referred to as the "varnarlið" by Icelanders. This presence was primarily at Keflavík Air Base.

The primary role of the varnarlið was to ensure Iceland's security and to maintain a strategic airbase in the North Atlantic. While Iceland did not contribute military personnel to the defense of the base, it provided land and facilities, and its citizens were employed in various support roles. The presence of the varnarlið was a significant aspect of Iceland's post-war foreign policy and its relationship with the United States.

Over time, public opinion in Iceland regarding the varnarlið evolved. Concerns about neutrality and national sovereignty led to political debate and eventually negotiations for the withdrawal of U.S. forces. The U.S. military presence at Keflavík officially ended in 2006, marking a significant shift in Iceland's defense posture. Since then, Iceland has focused on developing its own capabilities in areas such as maritime surveillance and emergency response, and collaborates with NATO allies on defense matters without hosting foreign military installations. The term "varnarlið" thus largely refers to this historical period of foreign military presence.