The Arctic now sits at the intersection of climate
disruption and great-power rivalry. As sea ice
declines and the region becomes more accessible,
it promises new shipping routes, resource
opportunities, and strategic connectivity, yet it
also exposes how environmental fragility,
sovereignty disputes, militarization, and uneven
governance can make Arctic stability
increasingly precarious. What appears to be a
frontier of opportunity is also a region where
climate change is accelerating faster than
institutions can adapt.
This report argues that the Arctic is therefore
more than a remote geopolitical theater. It is a
test of whether states and institutions can align
security, environmental stewardship, Indigenous
partnership, and economic ambition in a region
undergoing rapid transformation. A credible
response requires stronger governance
coordination, more resilient infrastructure,
deeper cooperation with Arctic communities, and
a climate-security strategy that prevents strategic
competition from overwhelming the institutions
needed to preserve stability.
Sovereignty On Thin Ice :Climate Change And Great-Power Rivalry In The Arctic
The Arctic now sits at the intersection of climate disruption and great-power rivalry. As sea ice declines and the region becomes more accessible, it promises new shipping routes, resource opportunities, and strategic connectivity.
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