The US Throws Down the Gauntlet at the Arctic Council’s Finland Meeting

Over the Circle

The Arctic Council has traditionally sought to discourage dialogues relating to hard security affairs in its meetings, instead placing stronger emphasis on issues encompassing regional economic development, indigenous affairs, and the growing physical and socio-anthropological effects of regional climate change, including the ongoing melting of the Arctic ice cap. The Council’s 1996 founding document incorporated that… Continue reading The US Throws Down the Gauntlet at the Arctic Council’s Finland Meeting

Elsewhere…

Over the Circle

A look at Arctic news from around the region. 'The Observer View on the Pressing Need to Save the Arctic,' [The Guardian / The Observer] 'What to Expect from the 2019 Arctic Council Ministerial,' [Eye on the Arctic]  'The Arctic Shipping Route No One’s Talking About,' [Cryopolitics]  'What the Arctic Council has Achieved during the… Continue reading Elsewhere…

The United States’ Hardening Stance on Arctic Security

Over the Circle

In the weeks before this month’s Arctic Council Ministerial meeting in Rovaniemi, Finland, one of the ‘Arctic Eight’ members of the organisation endeavoured to highlight its strategic concerns in the circumpolar north, releasing a series of strong signals that this member government was seeking to develop a more overt ‘hard security’ approach to the Arctic in… Continue reading The United States’ Hardening Stance on Arctic Security

Russia Reinforces its Arctic Policies (With China Alongside)

Over the Circle

For almost two decades, the Russian government sought to redevelop its Arctic regions after a long period of neglect, not only recognising the growing economic importance of Russia’s northernmost lands but also due to concerns about other regional powers seeking to enhance their own presence in the Arctic Ocean. Much international attention has been placed… Continue reading Russia Reinforces its Arctic Policies (With China Alongside)