By Klaus Dodds and Duncan Depledge Imagining what the future might hold in the Arctic is no easy task. After you have attended a few future-looking events, you begin to form an impression about how they might work, both organizationally and intellectually. You will almost certainly be confronted with political leaders, civil servants, scientists, business

By Benjamin Schaller In many public debates around the globe, the narrative of ‘”Arctic War” has become the predominant narrative of the future of Arctic security: Driven by climate change, the Arctic ice cap is melting and large amounts of untapped oil and gas resources as well as lucrative shipping routes are becoming increasingly accessible.

By Beth Brown Dispute typically corresponds with discord, civil argument, and difference of opinion. In the Arctic, dispute corresponds with collaboration and compromise. This hasn’t always been the case. Foreign policy in the north has seen a gradual transition over the last half dozen decades, from Cold War-induced apprehension to a continuing trend of circumpolar

The World Policy Institute, in partnership with Ecologic Institute’s Arctic Summer College, is proud to highlight the excellent work of 2015 Arctic Summer College Fellow Ekaterina Klimenko while promoting further valuable exchange in the Arctic region. By Ekaterina Klimenko Although over the last decade there has been concern regarding the possible emergence of territorial conflicts or

The World Policy Institute, in partnership with Ecologic Institute’s Arctic Summer College, is proud to highlight the excellent work of 2015 Arctic Summer College Fellow Martin Kossa while promoting further valuable exchange in the Arctic region. By Martin Kossa Given South Korea’s geographical location outside of the Arctic region and its harsh security environment, it is

By Laurel Jarombek President Barack Obama’s recent visit to Alaska may be historic in that he is the first sitting president to make a trip to the Arctic Circle, but whether his words and actions there will change the course of history is far less certain. His visit coincided with the Conference on Global Leadership

By Westerly Gorayeb The Arctic is often depicted as an isolated and remote area, defined by its harsh climate and ice-choked waters—but the melting of the polar ice caps is creating new opportunities for trade and resource extraction. A more open and hospitable Arctic has also led to increased territorial claims and military presence by

By Duncan Depledge Making sense of the European Union’s interest in the Arctic is far from a straightforward task. In recent years, the complexity of the EU as an entity has too often been brushed aside in favor of stories that generate headlines about their overreaching attempts to influence the Arctic, and its subsequent frustration

By Tim Reilly With Shell obtaining its drilling license in the North American Arctic, and an increasing number of Asian countries applying for Observer status at the Arctic Council (AC), the shape and governance of the U.S. AC chairmanship is cause for both celebration and caution. Yet despite increased activity and attention being paid to

By Victor Larin Today, the global community is devoting unprecedented attention to the Arctic. Most people are primarily concerned with the effects of climate change, as the media often attributes the frequency of recent natural disasters to the significant warming of the Arctic. Meanwhile, businessmen are exploring new profit-making avenues through the extraction of the