Over the Circle

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 →

On behalf of OtC, thank you very much to our readers and a Merry Christmas, Joyeux Noël, ᑯᕕᐊᓇᒃ ᐃᓄᕕᐊ and a very Happy Holidays to everyone! Looking forward to providing new stories and new ideas about the Arctic in the coming year! Also, when in Reykjavík, keep a close eye out for giant Yule Cats!… Continue reading Happy Holidays from OtC! →

A look at Arctic news from around the region. 'The Arctic Ocean Has Lost 95 Percent of its Oldest Ice- A Startling Sign of What’s to Come,' [Washington Post] 'South Korea, an Unlikely Polar Pioneer, Hosts Arctic Conference,' [Cryopolitics] 'Climate Change: Arctic Reindeer Numbers Crash by Half,' [BBC News] 'Biggest Arctic Gas Field Now in… Continue reading Elsewhere… →