Scramble for the Arctic region?

The Arctic while holding 13 percent of world's undiscovered oil and about 30 percent of its untapped natural gas as well as other resources-trillions of dollars of potential profit, is becoming a hot region for intensified competition and conflicts among the Arctic region states for dominance as well as an increasing number of non-Arctic states for booming their influence during the recent decades. Meanwhile, environmental issues such as global warming along with complementary interests of competing states are serving to initiate bi/multilateral cooperations concerning the future of the region. The aim of this blog is to simplify the interests of a few largely involved states, and their possible contribution for the future well-being of the Arctic region.

The Arctic region is made up of three groups of distinct state actors: the Arctic Ocean coastal states- Canada, Denmark, Norway, Russia and the US; the Arctic nations gathering together the five Arctic coastal states and although possessing no direct borders on the Arctic, Finland, Iceland and Sweden are usually also considered Arctic states and take part in the Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum for Arctic governments and peoples; and the group of non-Arctic states. Apparently, all these three groups of distinct state actors are competing and cooperating over their complementary interests and to attain the sphere of influence in the region. For the sake of this blog, we are going to look at a few of those "active" actors.

Russia

Russia, as an Arctic coastal state, has sovereign and jurisdictional rights in the arctic region, including exploration and exploitation of natural resources, fishing, and shipping along the Northern Sea Route (NSR). The Arctic region has become a top priority of Russian foreign policy in the last decades since the development of the Russian Arctic zone- if successfully conducted- would not only enable Russia to regain its status of a great Arctic power as it was during the Soviet times, but also provide the country with considerable economic gains. Half of the Arctic resources (52%) are located in the Russian sector, and the Northern Sea Route has the potential to become „the new passage of world economics and international strategies” since, in ice-free shipping conditions, the route would reduce the distance from Rotterdam to Southeast Asia and could cut transit time by 10-15 days.

China

Since China is a non-Arctic state, its rights in the Arctic are limited through under international law. However, China has recently declared itself of being a „near Arctic state”, and expressed its will to assert ins interests in the region by becoming more active in Arctic discussions. According to Chinese view, the Arctic is a region that represents global issues, which must be addressed not only by Arctic nations but also by the entire international community. So, in short, China's interests in the Arctic can be divided into three groups: economic interests such as natural resources, transportation and logistics; geopolitical interests as military and strategic spheres; and environmental, climatic and other scientific and research interests.

US

The United States is considered an Arctic nation by way of its Alaskan coastline. During the height of the Cold War, the Arctic region was considered a geostrategic and geopolitical playground for the US and the Soviet Union. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Arctic region significantly diminished in strategic importance to the US. Two decades later, the access to vast hydracarbon reserves, huge oil reserves and one third of world untapped natural gas reserves along with mineral deposits has increased this region's strategic significance for the US. The US also recognizes the necessity of balancing its economic and environmental interests in the Arctic. It prioritizes environmental protection of the Arctic through scientific exploration, environmentally sound oil and gas extraction methods, sustainable management of fisheries, and working with indigenous communities to mitigate the effects of climate change on their way of life.

Canada

As an Arctic state, Canada is demonstrating effective stewardship and leadership internationally, to promote stable, rules-based Arctic region where the rights of sovereign states are respected in accordance with international law and diplomacy. Additionally, Canada has long been working with its international Arctic neighbours in areas such as search and rescue, icebreaker operation, fish and wildlife conservation, transportation, research, energy and environment. The Government of Canada is taking action to unlock and encourage future exploration and development of mines and massive oil and gas reserves, tourism industry and other critical infrastructures in the region.

In conclusion, with greater accessibility to the Arctic region and its abundant resources come both new opportunities for multilateral cooperation and the potential for regional competition and dispute, particularly conflicting territorial claims and managing maritime resources. Disagreements among the Arctic states might cause an individual Arctic nation to become increasingly assertive in their resources and territorial claims, which has the potential to lead the militarization of the Arctic.