3.1 - Arctic

Question 1

What military developments have taken place in the Arctic?

Answer 1

• Canada proposed military exercises in the Arctic in 2002, are now conducted annually
• Russia restarted long range bomber patrols over the Arctic in 2007
  
  • enhanced Arctic military infrastructure by reopening and upgrading airfields and ports.
• Norway built five Fridtjof Nansen class frigates from 2003 - 2007
• Denmark published planned on to creating an Arctic military command + Arctic Response Force in 2009
• US has increased frequency of Arctic training exercises, improved infrastructure at key bases, increased cooperation with Arctic NATO members

Question 2

What is the law regarding EEZs according to UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea)?

Answer 2

• Countries can exploit resources within 200 nautical miles of their coastlines

Question 3

How has Russia demonstrated its claim over the Arctic?

Answer 3

• A Russian submarine planted a Russian flag at the North Pole in 2007
• sent 160,000 ton supertanker Vladimir Tihkonov as the first supertanker through the Northern Sea route in 2011

Question 4

Why are there tensions in the Arctic?

Answer 4

• disagreements regarding EEZ sizes between nations
• USGS survey: 90bn barrels of oil, 50tn m³ natural gas, and 44 bn barrels liquified gas
• Baffinland Iron Mines Corporation plans to extract over $20 billion worth of iron ore at Mary River in Canada
• Increase in shipping through Arctic, importance of shipping routes is high
• nations have already invested in satellite technology, icebreakers, and autonomous underwater vehicles for resource exploration and transport
  
  • do not want this to go to waste if they cannot use it

Question 5

How has China increased its presence in the Arctic?

Answer 5

• China has declared itself a “near-Arctic state,”
• Chinese icebreaker, the Xuelong, navigated the Northern Sea Route for the first time in 2012
• Increased investment in Arctic research
• participating in Arctic governance
  
  • ensuring access to new shipping routes and resources

Question 6

What environmental concerns are there with increased superpower presence in the Arctic?

Answer 6

• Increased shipping is likely to pollute Arctic air and waters.
• exploitation of oil, gas, and minerals could lead to habitat destruction, oil spills

Question 7

What is the Northern Sea Route and why is it important?

Answer 7

• The Northern Sea Route is a shipping lane along the Russian Arctic coast, providing a major shortcut for shipping between Europe and Asia, which is becoming more accessible as ice cover retreats.
• Arctic shipping routes could transport 83m m³ of cargo by 2050.
• Arctic tourism via cruise ships, is expected to grow, control over waters is lucrative

Question 8

How do indigenous people and superpowers cooperate with each other in the Arctic?

Answer 8

• The Arctic Council, brings together Arctic nations and indigenous representatives
  
  • cooperation on environmental protection, cultural preservation and sustainable development, influencing superpower policies
• cooperate on scientific research, search and rescue operations

Question 9

What actions have been taken by Arctic nations to assert sovereignty in the region?

Answer 9

• military exercises
• submitted territorial claims to the UN
• investment in Arctic-specific defense capabilities.

Question 10

What does climate change mean for superpowers in the Arctic?

Answer 10

• Melting ice opens new shipping routes and resource extraction opportunities
• Warmer conditions allow for year-round military operations