US Senator warns climate change could transform the Arctic into a conflict zone

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Washington wants to contain Russia’s influence in the Arctic. Writes Ahmed Adel

US Senator Angus King said in an interview with CNN that global warming will not only open up new routes in the Arctic, but will also turn the region into a potential centre of conflict, including with Russia. Rather than encouraging peace to ensure the Arctic remains stable, he instead urged Americans to view the region as a conflict flashpoint.

The senator noted that climate change has led to competition around the Arctic due to the interest of world powers in untapped energy and mineral reserves, as well as shipping routes. According to some estimates, in the last quarter of a century, 75% of the Arctic ice has disappeared and some scientists believe that in the next 12 years there could be summer periods where the Arctic will not be covered with ice. All this extra space means new transport routes which will inevitably reduce transport times.

According to King, there could be a 15-day reduction in some transportation routes, which is obviously a great economic advantage. However, as he said, “Russia has a huge border on the Arctic Ocean, which by the way, they’re militarizing the hell out of right now. It’s a national security issue for everyone in the United States, whether they’re in Texas or in Minnesota.”

King suggested that a conflict between Russia and the US in the Arctic is possible and pointed out the vital importance of the region for US foreign policy and national security.

For his part, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia sees the Arctic as an opportunity for sustainable cooperation and not political rivalry. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that it is difficult to imagine an Arctic or Pan-Arctic cooperation format without the participation of Russia as the largest country in the region. Moscow also remains open to cooperation, including with non-Arctic countries, such as China.

The US Senator recalled how at an Arctic conference in Iceland a few years ago, Chinese officials told him Beijing was interested in the region as a “near-Arctic nation”, something he described as “ridiculous”.

“That makes Maine a near-Caribbean state. There’s no geographic relationship. It’s ridiculous,” King said. “But they [China] see the strategic value and the potential economic value.”

Such an attitude is obviously hypocritical since the US believes it has a right to involve itself in issues in every part of the world, including with a military presence. If China was involved in Arctic issues, it will be to the benefit of Russia as it can counterbalance the inevitable alliance between Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and the US. It is for this reason that Washington is vehemently opposed to involving Beijing in Arctic affairs.

CNN reported that King called for a stronger naval presence in the Arctic and more robust military infrastructure. A major issue is US capabilities though, something the senator highlighted.

He noted that the Biden administration recently unveiled the “National Strategy for the Arctic Region” but added that the US needs to commit more funds if it wants to compete with Russia.

“I mean Russia has like 40 icebreakers. We have one,” King said, adding that Russia is not alone as nations not geographically close to the North Pole, like China and India, are also laying out their Arctic ambitions.

In August this year, Washington announced the creation of an Arctic ambassador-at-large position to boost its diplomatic presence. In addition, the US and Canada have enhanced joint military cooperation and exercises around the Arctic. As mineral resources and new shipping routes open in the Arctic, the US will continue ramping up pressure against Russia.

Some scientists believe that the Arctic will be completely free of summer sea ice as early as 2035, meaning that ships will more easily travel to and from Europe and northern Asia. Compared to the traditional commercial routes, these new routes will substantially cut travel time. This is coupled with the approximate $2 trillion worth of resources in the Arctic.

Given these details, the Arctic is an area that the US wants to completely dominate. This has turned the region into a space for competition and seemingly there is little prospect that Washington wants to cooperate with Moscow. Essentially, we can expect the Arctic to become increasingly destabilized by the US in their attempt to contain Russia.

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