Exploring geopolitical and security issues in the Arctic, including national and Indigenous perspectives, as well as non-traditional views on security, such as cultural security, economic security and environmental security. https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/geopolitics-security/rss en Geopolitics & Security Mon, 07 Aug 2017 03:00:27 +0000 Andrew Chater https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/08/07/valuable-lessons-about-russia-from-the-bears-role-in-the-arctic https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/08/07/valuable-lessons-about-russia-from-the-bears-role-in-the-arctic Russia sometimes behaves badly, but Arctic politics shows us there is a way to work multilaterally with the country, writes Andrew Chater, an expert in Arctic governance with the Polar Research and Policy Initiative, a U.K. think-tank. Geopolitics & Security Mon, 10 Jul 2017 09:40:57 +0000 Lukas Trakimavicius https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/07/10/russias-arctic-ambitions-hype-vs-reality https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/07/10/russias-arctic-ambitions-hype-vs-reality Offshore oil production in Russia’s Arctic waters will be much more challenging than is often acknowledged, writes Lukas Trakimavicius, an intern in the Energy Security Section of NATO’s Emerging Security Challenges Division. Geopolitics & Security Tue, 04 Jul 2017 07:12:43 +0000 Rob Huebert https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/07/04/canadian-defense-review-depicts-russia-as-an-arctic-adversary https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/07/04/canadian-defense-review-depicts-russia-as-an-arctic-adversary Justin Trudeau’s Liberals have framed the security threats in the Arctic posed by Russia in the starkest terms seen in more than 30 years, says Rob Huebert, a fellow with the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. Geopolitics & Security Thu, 29 Jun 2017 04:00:04 +0000 Karina Horsti https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/06/29/on-arctic-border-activists-offer-northern-hospitality-to-refugees https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/06/29/on-arctic-border-activists-offer-northern-hospitality-to-refugees Thousands of asylum seekers crossed the northernmost border into Europe in 2015, cycling across the boundary between Russia and Norway. Their arrival has stirred memories of earlier waves of refugees and traditions of northern hospitality in the Arctic borderland. Geopolitics & Security Infrastructure Fri, 16 Jun 2017 08:35:38 +0000 Adam Lajeunesse https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/06/16/what-canadas-new-defense-policy-means-for-the-arctic https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/06/16/what-canadas-new-defense-policy-means-for-the-arctic Canada plans to upgrade the gear that underpins its Arctic military operations, including satellite links, radar systems and snowmobile fleets, says Adam Lajeunesse, Irving Shipbuilding chair in Arctic marine security at St. Francis Xavier University. Geopolitics & Security Governance Tue, 06 Jun 2017 08:53:08 +0000 Gloria Dickie https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/06/06/some-arctic-reflections-on-u-s-plans-to-exit-the-paris-climate-pact https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/06/06/some-arctic-reflections-on-u-s-plans-to-exit-the-paris-climate-pact It’s not wise for the U.S. to cede global leadership on curbing carbon emissions while Alaska witnesses the impacts of dramatic warming, says Mike Sfraga of the Woodrow Wilson Center’s Polar Initiative and the University of the Arctic’s Institute for Arctic Policy. Environment Geopolitics & Security Fri, 28 Apr 2017 09:27:46 +0000 Derek Ritsma https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/04/28/taking-on-a-radioactive-issue-in-the-arctic https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/04/28/taking-on-a-radioactive-issue-in-the-arctic From collisions between nuclear-powered submarines to worries about Russia’s floating power plants, Arctic nations have many reasons to make a formal agreement to protect against a nuclear disaster, writes Derek Ritsma, a political science graduate from York University. Geopolitics & Security Mon, 10 Apr 2017 12:52:26 +0000 Gloria Dickie https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/04/10/cold-war-of-words-the-barents-observer-editor-barred-from-russia https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/04/10/cold-war-of-words-the-barents-observer-editor-barred-from-russia Thomas Nilsen, the editor of Norway’s Barents Observer, recently learned he has been barred from entering Russia. He vows that won’t stop his widely read Arctic publication from covering tough issues across the border. Geopolitics & Security Mon, 03 Apr 2017 12:38:04 +0000 Randall Hyman https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/04/03/the-big-chill-norway-and-russias-icy-rift https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/04/03/the-big-chill-norway-and-russias-icy-rift Longstanding friendly relations between the two countries have become frosty over the past few years. To understand why, we spoke to two experts at the Royal Norwegian Embassy in Washington. Geopolitics & Security Thu, 30 Mar 2017 12:50:56 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/03/30/putin-plays-mr-nice-guy-at-russian-arctic-forum https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/03/30/putin-plays-mr-nice-guy-at-russian-arctic-forum In the face of growing concerns about Russia’s recent demonstrations of military might in the Arctic, the Russian leader used a conference in Arkhangelsk as a platform to present a message of peace and cooperation. Geopolitics & Security Tue, 28 Mar 2017 04:00:52 +0000 John Thompson https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/03/28/russia-set-to-stage-charm-offensive-in-arkhangelsk https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/03/28/russia-set-to-stage-charm-offensive-in-arkhangelsk A big Arctic conference about to start may help Russia thaw icy relationships with its European neighbors, says George Soroka, a lecturer at Harvard University and author of “The Political Economy of Russia’s Reimagined Arctic.” Economy Energy & Natural Resources Geopolitics & Security Mon, 27 Mar 2017 09:21:55 +0000 Alexander Murinson, Theodore Karasik https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/03/27/the-pivot-to-the-arctic-implications-for-the-gulf-cooperation-council https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/03/27/the-pivot-to-the-arctic-implications-for-the-gulf-cooperation-council The Arctic is of growing geopolitical importance, and not just for Arctic nations. The interests of the monarchies of the Arabian Peninsula are also at play, say Theodore Karasik of the Lexington Institute and Alexander Murinson of NATO Defense College. Geopolitics & Security Fri, 24 Mar 2017 05:00:12 +0000 George Soroka, Heather Exner-Pirot https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/03/24/russias-reimagined-arctic-restoring-status https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2017/03/24/russias-reimagined-arctic-restoring-status Vladimir Putin wants Russia to be viewed once again as a great power, and an active Arctic presence may help achieve that, says George Soroka, a political scientist at Harvard University. Geopolitics & Security Fri, 17 Mar 2017 05:00:55 +0000 Whitney Lackenbauer, Adam Lajeunesse https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/03/17/russias-arctic-militarization-a-reality-check https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/03/17/russias-arctic-militarization-a-reality-check Russia is not looking to carve up the circumpolar North and the region is not in the midst of an arms race, writes Adam Lajeunesse and P. Whitney Lackenbauer. Geopolitics & Security Mon, 06 Mar 2017 12:49:43 +0000 Marc Lanteigne https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/03/06/keeping-the-gunpowder-dry https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/03/06/keeping-the-gunpowder-dry The practice of countries ‘checking their grievances at the door’ during Arctic diplomacy is unlikely to get easier as Russia remilitarizes its northern regions, writes Marc Lanteigne. Geopolitics & Security Fri, 03 Mar 2017 05:01:58 +0000 Mia Bennett https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/03/03/why-u-s-republicans-russia-envy-in-the-arctic-is-misplaced https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/03/03/why-u-s-republicans-russia-envy-in-the-arctic-is-misplaced It’s economic development, rather than military aggression, that drives Russia’s growing activity in the Arctic, writes Mia Bennett, a research fellow in the Department of Geography at UCLA. Geopolitics & Security Mon, 27 Feb 2017 11:37:53 +0000 Stephen Blank, Aurel Braun https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/02/27/canada-needs-to-get-serious-about-russias-competing-arctic-claims https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2017/02/27/canada-needs-to-get-serious-about-russias-competing-arctic-claims Canada’s relatively weak Arctic capabilities only creates temptations for a Russia that is both unstable and opportunistic, warn Aurel Braun and Stephen Blank for Canada’s Macdonald-Laurier Institute. Climate Energy & Natural Resources Geopolitics & Security Research Shipping Thu, 29 Dec 2016 13:55:51 +0000 Eline Gordts https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/12/29/how-a-researcher-from-arizona-developed-a-passion-for-the-arctic https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/12/29/how-a-researcher-from-arizona-developed-a-passion-for-the-arctic Katherine Weingartner is an ICF contractor for the United States Global Change Research Program where she supports the development of the National Climate Assessment. Geopolitics & Security Wed, 21 Dec 2016 06:14:49 +0000 Ingrid A. Medby https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2016/12/21/what-the-arctic-can-teach-us-about-goodwill-geopolitics https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2016/12/21/what-the-arctic-can-teach-us-about-goodwill-geopolitics From “Christmas treeplomacy” to friendly disputes over whether Santa Claus would call Canada, Greenland or Lapland home, there are many seasonal reminders of how we’re all connected – across borders and among social groups. Energy & Natural Resources Geopolitics & Security Governance Tue, 13 Dec 2016 12:59:44 +0000 Mia Bennett https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/12/13/how-the-arctic-will-fare-if-big-oil-becomes-americas-top-diplomat https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/12/13/how-the-arctic-will-fare-if-big-oil-becomes-americas-top-diplomat Reactions across the Arctic will diverge significantly over Donald Trump’s plans to name Rex Tillerson as U.S. secretary of state, writes Mia Bennett, a research fellow in the Department of Geography at UCLA. Environment Geopolitics & Security Governance Fri, 18 Nov 2016 05:00:25 +0000 Andreas Raspotnik https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/11/18/the-european-parliament-has-not-forgotten-the-arctic https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/11/18/the-european-parliament-has-not-forgotten-the-arctic This year, 2016, could very well go down in history as the European Union’s “Arctic Year,” with the various institutions launching several Arctic policy statements, writes Andreas Raspotnik in this commentary. Environment Geopolitics & Security Thu, 10 Nov 2016 09:17:29 +0000 Nils Andreassen https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/11/10/new-presidency-is-a-chance-to-close-the-gap-on-arctic-awareness https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/11/10/new-presidency-is-a-chance-to-close-the-gap-on-arctic-awareness The U.S. has elected a new president, but Alaska’s priorities remain unchanged. Now is the time for Arctic experts, advisers and regional leaders to help the new administration, writes the Institute of the North’s Nils Andreassen. Environment Geopolitics & Security Wed, 09 Nov 2016 15:41:41 +0000 Hannah Hoag https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2016/11/09/expert-view-how-the-outcome-of-the-u-s-election-affects-the-arctic https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2016/11/09/expert-view-how-the-outcome-of-the-u-s-election-affects-the-arctic On early Wednesday morning, Donald J. Trump was elected president of the United States, logging a victory against Hillary Clinton that surprised many. What will it mean for the Arctic? Environment Geopolitics & Security Governance Wed, 19 Oct 2016 11:02:22 +0000 Michael Byers https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/10/19/north-of-60-negotiate-the-northwest-passage-before-its-too-late https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/10/19/north-of-60-negotiate-the-northwest-passage-before-its-too-late Canada and the U.S. should update the 1988 agreement they reached on the Northwest Passage to recognize both countries’ interests in security and transit. Environment Geopolitics & Security Governance Thu, 29 Sep 2016 07:30:28 +0000 Hannah Hoag https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/09/29/north-of-60-shaping-canadas-arctic-policy https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/09/29/north-of-60-shaping-canadas-arctic-policy A new book identifies the policy challenges facing the Canadian government. John Higginbotham, a former public servant who co-edited the book, hopes the collection will boost discussion on the future of Canada’s Arctic agenda. Economy Geopolitics & Security Shipping Mon, 19 Sep 2016 05:00:09 +0000 Adam Lajeunesse https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/09/19/china-prepares-to-use-the-northwest-passage https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/09/19/china-prepares-to-use-the-northwest-passage What did the Chinese government really mean when it published a guidebook to shipping through the Northwest Passage – and is it really a threat to Canadian sovereignty, asks Arctic security expert Adam Lajeunesse. Economy Geopolitics & Security Mon, 12 Sep 2016 12:42:27 +0000 Hannah Hoag https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/09/12/norways-oil-dilemma-to-drill-or-not-to-drill https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/09/12/norways-oil-dilemma-to-drill-or-not-to-drill Long enriched by its offshore oil supplies, Norway is still looking to expand its operations into Arctic waters. Industry researcher Helge Ryggvik explains how the country can still be seen as an environmental pioneer – and why it may struggle to remain one. Geopolitics & Security Mon, 05 Sep 2016 06:50:25 +0000 Mieke Coppes https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2016/09/05/analysis-questioning-the-relevance-of-canadas-operation-nanook https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/articles/2016/09/05/analysis-questioning-the-relevance-of-canadas-operation-nanook HIGH NORTH NEWS – With Prime Minister Trudeau heading south, instead of north, and a cruise ship crossing the Northwest Passage, is Operation Nanook more or less relevant than before? Geopolitics & Security Research Shipping Mon, 29 Aug 2016 12:30:35 +0000 Hannah Hoag https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/08/29/noaa-is-updating-its-arctic-charts-to-prevent-a-nautical-disaster https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/08/29/noaa-is-updating-its-arctic-charts-to-prevent-a-nautical-disaster Just over 1 percent of U.S. Arctic waters have been surveyed to modern standards. In fact, some depth measurements on nautical charts date back to Captain Cook’s time. Here’s what it takes to bring those maps into the modern age. Geopolitics & Security Mon, 15 Aug 2016 05:00:42 +0000 Benjamin Schaller https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/08/15/the-unpredictable-russian-bear-flexes-its-muscles https://www.newsdeeply.com/arctic/community/2016/08/15/the-unpredictable-russian-bear-flexes-its-muscles As Russia steps up its military activities in the Arctic, Cold War narratives have returned. But the region is just one playing field for Russia’s geopolitical games with the West – understanding that is vital for cooperation in the High North to continue.