Over the Circle

This week, the final report from a working group [In Finnish] assembled to gauge the viability of a railway system linking the far northern cities of Rovaneimi (Finland) and Kirkenes (Norway) suggested that, at present, such a link would not be financially workable. Although the report [pdf], issued by the Finnish Ministry of Transport and Communications, was… Continue reading Unexpected Detour? An Arctic Railway Project Encounters Financial Obstacles →

For much of North America, it was unnecessary to travel to the country’s polar region to experience Arctic weather, as snowstorms and extreme cold affected much of both Canada and the United States this week. In fact, Canada’s capital, Ottawa received the dubious distinction of being the world’s coldest capital city, beating out the usual suspects Moscow… Continue reading ‘Follow That Pole!’ The World’s Magnetic North Continues to Wander →

This week may mark a turning point in the tumultuous process of finalising the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union when a long-delayed parliamentary vote is scheduled to take place on the exit deal proposed by the Conservative government of Theresa May. Even if the vote passes, which reports suggest is very unlikely,… Continue reading UK Arctic Policy after Brexit: What Might Change? →

I was pleased to be interviewed by CNN on China's emerging Arctic strategies and how the far north is being connected to Beijing's expanding 'Belt and Road' initiative. 'With an Eye to Power and Profit, Beijing is Building Influence in the Arctic,' CNN, 30 December 2018.

Arguably the two most prominent stories about the Arctic region this year were related to security, albeit from two completely different directions. On one end of the spectrum, new reports published this year about the state of global climate change further underscored the looming threats to the Arctic’s environment. The study released in October by… Continue reading The Arctic in 2019: Security in the Spotlight →