News & Views on the Russian presence within the Arctic Circle
14 April 2010
This article in независимая, which in my opinion often offers one of the more ‘realist’ approaches to Arctic geopolitics, revisits some old themes. The author claims that during the 20th century, when the USSR claimed much of the Arctic region, up to the north pole, that this did not elicit any combative responses from other countries. Now, however, with the... Read More...
30 March 2010
Many agencies have, of course, reported on the visit of Foreign Minister Lavrov to Canada. For the most part, there were few hints of any disagreement or any clue as to what might have been discussed behind closed doors. There was one issue, however, which did seem to emerge: what is the appropriate forum for discussing Arctic issues? риа-новости contextualised the issues... Read More...
15 March 2010
аргументы и факти reports that a French Naval Frigate will take part in exercises with the Northern fleet. Last week there were a number of reports on the visit of officials from Total to Murmansk in what is being called officially the year of France in Russia and the year of Russia in France. No-one can quite pin down why Russia is purchasing four French Mistral class... Read More...
10 March 2010
независимая reports a SIPRI study into Chinese attitudes towards the Arctic and Russia’s plans for the development of the Arctic. Chinese interest is motivated by the potential that Russia will charge high rates for shipping along the NSR. Chinese participation in the recent Arctic Frontiers conference was noted on this blog here. The SIPRI author states that control... Read More...
18 February 2010
… its that simple. New tests of LNG transport routes from the Arctic. It had to happen at some point. But the route is into Asia. I am sure that the strategic ambition is the western market though so that USA and Middle East Gas is doing its stuff. Read More →
28 January 2010
In what could only really be described as an amazing bit of news хибины.ru is reporting that Gazprom could be forced to abandon its ambitious plans for the development of the Shtokman field in the Barents Sea. There have been indications before that confidence in the project was shaky and, if these predictions are true, then this would be a massive blow to Russia’s Arctic... Read More...
26 January 2010
The news reported in gazeta.ru that Norway wants to increase Chinese representation on the Arctic Council adds an interesting twist to understanding that country’s – China’s that is – international ambitions for the Arctic. Chinese interests in the Arctic, as stated in gazeta.ru are purely scientific. The Ambassador of China in Norway, whose address to the conference... Read More...
13 January 2010
In a comprehensive analysis of Russia’s geopolitical position in Stavropol Pravda two journalists present an account of an emerging multipolar world in which the transport of LNG from the Arctic and the revived northern sea route under conditions of global warming contribute to more equitable relations between countries. The authors make the point, however, that specialised marine... Read More...
19 November 2009
To demonstrate the connection between geographical sciences in Russia and state economic and development policies you need go no further than follow the extensive coverage given yesterday to the remarks made by Prime Minister Putin before the Russian Geographical Society. Время-новости lauds Putin’s qualifications to act as the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees... Read More...
7 November 2009
This article in новости.mail.ru is a good example of how the Russian leadership sees an emerging new energy order rather than a new cold war. The article begins with an account of how Danish-Russian relations have not been good lately, because of Denmark’s handling over the stay, in Denmark, of a wanted Chechen leader. Soon after there were problems because of Chilingarov’s... Read More...
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