{"id":145,"date":"2021-04-30T10:59:08","date_gmt":"2021-04-30T14:59:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.bowdoin.edu\/gov-2577-spring-2021-international-security-cooperation\/?page_id=145"},"modified":"2021-05-23T20:00:27","modified_gmt":"2021-05-24T00:00:27","slug":"cillian-mcdonagh","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/courses.bowdoin.edu\/gov-2577-spring-2021-international-security-cooperation\/arctic-issues-and-policy-ideas\/cillian-mcdonagh\/","title":{"rendered":"Russia-NATO Conflict in the Arctic"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Arctic is being militarized by Russia and has created tensions in the Arctic. My presentation focuses on \u201c<\/span>What is the Likelihood of conflict in the Arctic between NATO and Russia?\u201d I focus on 4 main factors that include Russia\u2019s and NATO\u2019s approach to the Arctic, potential for conflict, potential for Cooperation, and Recommendations for the region. NATO has two main approaches that include the old approach to the Arctic and new approach to the Arctic. The old approach is that NATO has been in opposition to Russia and traditionally taken an observational role in the Arctic with the Arctic Council taking the initiative on policies such as climate change. The new NATO approach is concerned about Russia Rhetoric in the Arctic and helping Norway take an aggressive policy in protecting their economic interests through military exercises. Russia also contained an old and new approach that focused on Arctic Security. For example, Russia\u2019s old approach included an active presence in the Arctic region during the Joseph Stalin era and invested capital in railroads, sea transports, and Arctic pilots. Similarly, Russia\u2019s new approach is on taking an aggressive military policy and investing into infrastructure such as basses, airfields, roads, and more. You will find below Russian military build up and the infantry base, headquarters, naval bases and more.<\/span><\/p>\n

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The potential of conflict is high due to Russia\u2019s increased military build up in the Arctic. For example, Russia is <\/span>renewing the use of bases positioned in the Arctic region since the Cold War, Creating a long term compared to short term military strategy, developmenting of the Poseidon 2M39 torpedo, and Increasing investment into aircraft, naval fleets and intercontinental ballistic missiles. Furthermore, Russia is taking advantage of climate change by opening up shipping lanes in the Arctic, extracting vital minerals such as nickel, iron ore, and phosphates, extensive oil and natural gas extraction, and having new fisheries in the Arctic. Similarly, NATO is also increasing the potential for conflict by increasing military drills and investment in the Arctic and Norway Convincing NATO to get involved through military exercises like \u201cTrident Juncture.\u201d Furthermore, Canada and Denmark are deploying military personnel in the Arctic and strengthening their Arctic sea capabilities. Below is <\/span>Dutch soldiers march during a NATO military exercise in Lithuania in 2018.<\/span><\/p>\n

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In contrast, there is likelihood of cooperation between NATO and Russia such as Russia\u2019s new domestic policies such as \u201cRussian State policy in the Arctic 2008\u201d wanting cooperation and peace between Arctic states and there are Incentives for Russia to continue being cooperative due to them working in a rigorous environment, Arctic issues, and economic development. NATO also wants cooperation in the Arctic by communicating with Russia and compromising and their priorities to make Russia not feel the need to militarize. Below are recommendations that I would create to help reduce the tensions in the Arctic.<\/span><\/p>\n

Recommendation 1:<\/strong><\/p>\n

For a more peaceful approach to the Arctic, Russia should decrease their militarization of the Arctic:<\/p>\n