Over the Circle

[Photo by Zach Vessels via Unsplash] by Marc Lanteigne Although it has long been commonplace to refer to the Arctic as a single region, given similar geography, climate conditions, and oftentimes socio-economic challenges shared by far-northern regions, it is also not unusual to use the terms ‘European Arctic’, ‘North American Arctic’ and ‘Russian Arctic’, particularly… Continue reading ‘And in Between, There Are Doors’: Europe, the Arctic, and Shared Spaces →

Norwegian Foreign Minister Anniken Huitfeldt speaking at the Arctic Frontiers Conference, Tromsø, January 2023 [Photo by David Jensen / Arctic Frontiers] by Marc Lanteigne In the coming weeks, Norway will be assuming the chair of the Arctic Council after a difficult, and unprecedented, year for the group. Since March 2022, the Council has been bifurcated, with… Continue reading An Amber Light Ahead: Norway Prepares for the Arctic Council Chair →

[Photo by Marc Lanteigne] by Marc Lanteigne Less than two years ago, speculation was swirling around the possibility of a dramatic shift in Norwegian energy policy, as the fossil fuel-rich nation appeared poised to downgrade its oil and gas development projects in favour of concentrating on renewable energy alternatives. The runup to the country’s parliamentary elections in September 2021… Continue reading The Black, the Blue and the Green: Norway’s Energy Dilemmas →

[Photo by Marc Lanteigne] by the OtC Staff On behalf of the editors, writers and contributors to Over the Circle, (and also Móri!), we wish everyone a very Happy Holidays, and a peaceful, safe and prosperous 2023! As the far north continues to grow in local and global importance, OtC looks forward to continuing our reporting… Continue reading Happy Holidays from Over the Circle! →

[Photo by Marc Lanteigne] by Marc Lanteigne This year’s Arctic Circle Assembly was a near-return to normal operations following previous postponements and restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic. Yet the event could hardly be called ‘business-as-usual’, in the penumbra of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its global effects, including in the far north. Russian participation in the conference this year was almost non-existent,… Continue reading Arctic Circle 2022: The Outside World Keeps Walking In →