Global security: Why freezing the Arctic Council is bad news

The Arctic has been a remarkable place for the past quarter-century. Zone of cooperationCanada, Denmark (Finland), Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden are among the eight countries that make up the high north. Even though relations between Moscow and West were strained, they still maintained their friendship. Arctic Council’s work was a reminder that multilateral partnerships could thrive despite global discord.

The Arctic Council exists to foster cooperation in areas such as scientific research and search and rescue operations, and the challenges presented by climate change. Under its auspices, friends and adversaries alike – as well as nonstate actors, such as Indigenous groups – can sit down, talk and find common ground. Norway’s lawmakers will begin to take part in 2022. Nominated to the councilfor its collaborative spirit and the Nobel Peace Prize.

That collaboration ended shortly after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. One week after the start of the war, seven of the eight Arctic Council members announced that they would “pause” their workWith the organization. Russia, which holds the council’s presidency through 2023, was left ostracized.

The Arctic Council freeze is a loss on many fronts. As an example scholar Arctic securityI see the region’s cooperation as vital to global security. As the Arctic heats, I believe an expanded set institution is necessary to reflect the new global realities.

Arctic Security and Cooperation

In 1996, eight Arctic countries created the Arctic Council. The council was established in 1996. It explicitly avoids military issuesIts members are Arctic region stewards. It is not surprising that the organization has grown to be so important. Global warming.

Warmer temperatures Sea ice is decliningAre opening new shipping routesThere are likely to be more opportunities to exploit these potential opportunities. Oil, gas and other vital minerals – changes that Could spark conflictIf not handled properly, it can cause serious problems.

The Arctic states have made agreements through the council regarding Search and rescue operations, Oil pollution Scientific collaboration. The Arctic Council has kept track of environmental changes in the area with its yearly Arctic Climate Impact Assessment Reports. Even though relations between East-West were not good Their worstJoint efforts in the Arctic have remained strong, even when Russia invaded the Crimean Peninsula from Ukraine in 2014.

It was understandable that the Arctic Council had to pause its work. Response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The other Arctic countries lost a vital line of communication with Moscow by doing this. It will be important to either resume the council or create another institution in its place.

It is more important than ever to work with Russia in the Arctic, even before the invasion. From a global security perspective, it is essential that the hot war in Europe be prevented from spilling over into the Arctic and one of the world’s last wildernesses.

The case for Russia engagement

For example, consider that tensions in Ukraine are at an all time high, but it might be possible to ease them. A flock of geese is not your flockFor a military attack, you can use a meteor shower. This new era of geopolitical rivalry will require that errors like these can be quickly fixed.

Bold leadership is required to preserve and enhance Arctic cooperation. Some critics claim that institutionalizing military dialogue between Russia and Russia in the Arctic is a poor response to willful aggression in Eastern Europe. could be seen as legitimizing Russia’s actions. These are valid concerns.

But, it would be a mistake not to cooperate. The high north should avoid the pitfalls that the rest of the world will suffer. The fate of militarization, a costly arms race, and the terrifying specter of war.

Ideally, engaging Russia within an expanded set of regional institutions – an invigorated Arctic Council, to be sure, but also a new military forum – would precipitate a Cooperation spiralIt could also increase cooperation that could help to reduce tensions elsewhere. Even if Arctic collaboration was restricted to this, it would still be beneficial. Boost global security.

A new Arctic?

In the past, the Arctic states tried to maintain peace in their region by separating contentious military issues from areas of greater common ground. This has been the case. Modus vivendi Arctic CouncilSince its foundation.

Moving forward, it would be better if we recognized that strong and continuous cooperation is necessary on security issues as well. Although trust between Russia, the West and Russia may never return, cooperation in Arctic matters cannot be allowed to end.