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.

This is the second in a two-part series about Arctic exploration in the 1970s and 1980s. Read part one, which describes Alaska’s oil rush, here. By Frank Geisel In the late 1970s, a projection of an oil boom offshore Alaska pointed toward unprecedented commercial marine traffic. Envisioned fleets of massive icebreaking tankers would transit to

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

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 Sophie des Beauvais On August 2, 2007, the Russian expedition Arktika 2007 planted a Russian flag on the North Pole seabed, descending more than two miles under the ice cap in a pair of submersible vessels. Notably, one third of Russia lies within the Arctic Circle, a region full of natural energy that plays a

By Zach Paikin Canada has a vital interest in securing a workable relationship with Russia in the 21st century. An amicable Russo-Canadian state of affairs is essential to advance multilateral cooperation in the Arctic; and a peaceful Arctic would remove one potential source of confrontation between the world’s major powers. The current diplomatic spat between

By Thordur Aegir Oskarsson The Arctic Agenda will without a doubt be affected by the political developments currently taking place in Eastern Europe. In fact, certain meetings of the Arctic Council are already affected by the sanctions against Russia. The question becomes now, how will the turn of events affect Arctic cooperation? The main substantive

By Erica Dingman Despite ongoing cooperation between Arctic nations – Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Russia, and the United States– mainstream rhetoric often implies Arctic stakeholders are teetering on the brink of conflict. To a great extent, this sentiment is reflected in mass media and political banter, inflaming the passions of audiences. This