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How melting ice is reshaping global power dynamics
As climate change accelerates the melting of Arctic ice, a new geopolitical frontier is emerging in the Far North. Once an inhospitable wasteland, the Arctic is rapidly becoming a hotbed of international interest and potential conflict.
At the heart of this transformation is the Northwest Passage, a sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. As ice retreats, this passage becomes increasingly navigable, promising to slash shipping times between Europe and Asia by up to 40%. This development has caught the attention of major maritime nations, with China declaring itself a “near-Arctic state” and pushing for influence in the region.
Beneath the vanishing ice lies a treasure trove of natural resources. The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that the Arctic holds 30% of the world’s undiscovered natural gas and 13% of its undiscovered oil. This potential wealth has triggered a modern-day gold rush, with Arctic nations rushing to stake their claims.
The main players in this new “Great Game” are the eight Arctic Council members: Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. Russia, with the longest Arctic coastline, has been particularly assertive, expanding its military presence and laying claim to vast swathes of the Arctic…
