The Arctic is emerging as the new playground for major powers, with military buildup, the opening of new trade routes, and prospects for resource exploitation.
Beyond the Arctic Circle — where winter stretches into weeks-long nights, sea ice dominates, and only about four million people live — the Arctic region has long stood out for its unparalleled cooperation among coastal states through a dedicated body, the Arctic Council.
In recent years, however, the picture has changed: driven by climate change, ice is retreating, seasonal shipping routes are opening, access to resources is becoming easier, and appetites are growing. China is a case in point: despite its distance from the Arctic Circle, it has been multiplying its investments to establish a foothold in the region. For Beijing, the Arctic has become a strategic priority.
It is not alone: Canada is determined to reinvest in its Far North, Donald Trump has declared his intention to seize Greenland, and in early 2024, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) held its largest military exercise since the end of the Cold War in Norway — in response to a Russia that has rearmed its Arctic coastline.
In this video, we explain why interest in the Arctic is growing and which powers are vying for it. If you would like to learn more about the turbulence that the war in Ukraine has caused within the Arctic Council, we recommend reading the article below.
Source: lemonde
