15 January 2025

ARCTIC GEO-POLITICS: Geopolitics | Insights and Challenges

Oct 11, 2024

The Arctic, a sanctuary for people and nature, is home to many indigenous peoples and animals. However, climate change is occurring here three times faster than in the rest of the world. In this region, scientists from both the east and west once conducted joint research until Russia invaded Ukraine, disrupting collaborations. Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, research continues. Norwegian ships, as part of NATO, now use sonar to locate an increasing number of Russian submarines stationed on the Kola Peninsula, just across the border from Norway. The Arctic’s significance continues to grow due to climate change and the possibility of improved access to economic resources in the future. Russia is exploiting the architectural landscape to advance its geostrategic plans to revise the European security architecture. The Konrad-Adenauer Foundation, in partnership with the Fridtjof-Nansen-Institute, is tackling these challenges head-on in the Norwegian city of Bodø, the European Capital of Culture 2024. From a Norwegian perspective, Russia remains a major concern in the Arctic. How should Norway address potential Russian aggressions and its military expansion on the Kola peninsula? Similar questions are being raised Finland - NATO's latest member - which finds itself now on the frontline of a volatile geopolitical situation. Security concerns also increasingly trump Iceland's foreign policy posture. First and foremost, though, all parties involved seem at least keen to avoid further tensions in the North. Join us as we explore the multifaceted challenges and opportunities in the Arctic—a theater of both military development and environmental change. 🌏❄️🌊 For further information on the topic of “Geopolitics in the Arctic,” you can explore the article titled “The Arctic – Between Conflict and Cooperation” here: https://www.kas.de/en/web/auslandsinf... Regional Program Nordic Countries – Security in the European Arctic (The full-length publication is only available in German.) https://www.kas.de/en/single-title/-/... Regional Programme Nordic Countries https://www.kas.de/en/web/nordische/home