New book Arctic Opening: Insecurity and Opportunity

In May 2013, five Asian countries – China, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea – became observers on the Arctic Council, underlining the growing world focus on the northern polar region as global warming makes it increasingly accessible. Now a new book from the International Institute for Strategic Studies offers a comprehensive assessment of just what is happening in the Arctic in the twenty-first century. 

Some commentators are forecasting a new gold rush as melting sea ice opens new areas for oil and mineral exploration and unlocks hitherto impassable shipping routes. Others fear a new form of Cold War as military forces are deployed northwards. In Arctic Opening: Insecurity and Opportunity, authors Christian Le Mière and Jeffrey Mazo bring much-needed sobriety to the discussion, outlining the possibilities of, and limits to, economic opportunities in the High North, while providing a detailed examination of the political and military changes this might bring.

Instead of sailing via the Suez Canal, cargo ships can take a shortcut between Europe and Asia by travelling the Northeast Passage and Northern Sea Route across the top of Russia. But, the authors of Arctic Opening say, the increased usability of these Arctic routes may not bring all of the economic advantages expected. Nor will polar energy exploitation be straightforward, despite the frequent description of the Arctic as ‘a vast storehouse of resources’, including oil, natural gas and even rare-earth elements.

Ever since a Russian submarine planted a flag on the Arctic seabed in 2007 there have been concerns about political and military tensions in the region. The authors counter that a high level of cooperation currently exists between states operating in the region, although they admit that interest from outside the region will complicate governance mechanisms and developing diplomatic relations within the Arctic Circle.

“What everyone should know about the Arctic,” says Dr David W. Titley, Rear Admiral, US Navy (Retd); Director, Center for Solutions to Weather and Climate Risk, Penn State University.

The book is available here in print,ebook and online format.