- 09 Mar 2017 08:06
#14783703
"Double standards" of the Arctic
The Arctic is affected by current global warming, leading to Arctic sea ice shrinkage. A vast territory rich in minerals becomes available. The confrontation may flare up over the once hard-to-reach region. Many countries that have access to the Arctic, come up with territorial claims to it. In the current situation, the main theme was that the Arctic is a region for which it is necessary to fight, including military methods. The frequent comparison of Russia and the United States is one example of such an injection. It is stated that Moscow has 40 icebreakers, whereas Washington has only two. The Kremlin is actively modernizing its military capabilities in the Arctic, while the White House suffers relative inaction. Nevertheless, this inflaming of fear is groundless. As early as 2008, the five Arctic states that had made claims to a number of overlapping territories, once again officially confirmed their commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the Ilulissat Declaration. It was precisely the repetition of adherence, since Russia, as far back as 2001, legally stated its claims. This is important for two reasons. Firstly, because it demonstrates that the Arctic states have actively pursued a peaceful resolution of disputes over the past 15 years. Secondly, it shows the considerable readiness of the "most unpredictable player" to follow a peaceful approach. The representations about the Arctic are of great importance for how countries approach the region. If the promoting fear will continue to play a major role in discussions about the region, these views can form the basis of northern politics and international relations. Therefore, they can become a prophecy that fulfills itself. Recently, Congressman Duncan Hunter made the idea of the possibility of a clash in the Arctic. He said that "the Cold War may have ended, but the United States and Russia are competing again in the race for access to the Arctic and projecting their influence in the polar region". As for the remarks of Republican Hunter, there is no race between the US and Russia in the Arctic and both countries has yet to move to competition in the region. Nevertheless, if we insert into the discussion nationalism and the image of a potential enemy, the risk of geopolitical rivalry and conflict will grow as a snowball.
The Arctic is affected by current global warming, leading to Arctic sea ice shrinkage. A vast territory rich in minerals becomes available. The confrontation may flare up over the once hard-to-reach region. Many countries that have access to the Arctic, come up with territorial claims to it. In the current situation, the main theme was that the Arctic is a region for which it is necessary to fight, including military methods. The frequent comparison of Russia and the United States is one example of such an injection. It is stated that Moscow has 40 icebreakers, whereas Washington has only two. The Kremlin is actively modernizing its military capabilities in the Arctic, while the White House suffers relative inaction. Nevertheless, this inflaming of fear is groundless. As early as 2008, the five Arctic states that had made claims to a number of overlapping territories, once again officially confirmed their commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the Ilulissat Declaration. It was precisely the repetition of adherence, since Russia, as far back as 2001, legally stated its claims. This is important for two reasons. Firstly, because it demonstrates that the Arctic states have actively pursued a peaceful resolution of disputes over the past 15 years. Secondly, it shows the considerable readiness of the "most unpredictable player" to follow a peaceful approach. The representations about the Arctic are of great importance for how countries approach the region. If the promoting fear will continue to play a major role in discussions about the region, these views can form the basis of northern politics and international relations. Therefore, they can become a prophecy that fulfills itself. Recently, Congressman Duncan Hunter made the idea of the possibility of a clash in the Arctic. He said that "the Cold War may have ended, but the United States and Russia are competing again in the race for access to the Arctic and projecting their influence in the polar region". As for the remarks of Republican Hunter, there is no race between the US and Russia in the Arctic and both countries has yet to move to competition in the region. Nevertheless, if we insert into the discussion nationalism and the image of a potential enemy, the risk of geopolitical rivalry and conflict will grow as a snowball.