... an increased securitization of the Arctic set in motion by Russia’s enhanced military presence (and responsive measures by NATO) as well as China’s growing economic presence in the region. As U.S. and Russian priorities in the region continue to evolve,... ... lower the risk of inadvertent escalation and build greater regional confidence. At the same time, they should work within the Arctic Council to define a positive agenda (in particular on, but not limited to, the Arctic marine environment) that is responsive ...
...
whilst
informing non-Arctic states of the Arctic developments and creating opportunities for them to engage in Arctic matters, abiding by set rules under an international legal framework. There seems to be a lack of power balance in the Arctic. The Arctic Council does not have the mandate to discuss military security issues; NATO lacks legitimacy in the Arctic as only five of the eight Arctic nations are its members and it has non-Arctic states too as members; Russia, being the largest Arctic nation, is increasingly developing its strategic partnership with China — an emerging ...
... President of Finland’s “breakthrough idea” of an “Arctic summit” did not materialize. Finland will continue to chair the Arctic Council until the spring of 2019, and such a summit would sound a powerful chord at the end of the country’s northern ... ... various powers would step up their struggle for control over natural resources, and that the military confrontation between NATO and Russia would expand, did not come true either. The forecasts of China’s expansion in the Arctic under the slogan of ...
... for conflict. At the same time, it is important to bear in mind that Russia is sensitive when it comes to increased NATO presence close to its own borders. Russia has numerous times reiterated its discontent with Swedish and Finnish cooperation with NATO, which are two members of the Arctic Council, with the latter sharing a huge border with Russia. Considering what happened in Georgia and Ukraine, the United States should think twice before increasing NATO presence within the Arctic region, as Russia would doubtlessly feel threatened ...
... specific opponent and specific threats[12].
Still, the Yellowknife meeting gives encouraging signs that the Arctic states continue to find common grounds to foster dialogue in the AC, far from defence issues and from the tensions between Russia and the NATO.
[1] Arctic Council, “Senior Arctic Officials met in Yellowknife”, March 27, 2014. Retrieved from http://www.arctic-council.org/index.php/en/resources/news-and-press/news-archive/861-senior-arctic-officials-met-in-yellowknife.
[2] Weber, B., “Canada,...
