ARCTIC CONFLICT: RUSSIA SET TO CLAIM THE NORTH

ARCTIC CONFLICT: RUSSIA SET TO CLAIM THE NORTH

Putin’s call today for the “strengthening of the naval component of the Federal Security Service (FSB) border guard group,” and that they, “… should strengthen the military infrastructure,” is a warning sign to where his attention has turned. Putin looks north and has aimed for “…the creation of a united system of naval bases for ships and next-generation submarines in our part of the Arctic.”  Is this announcement by Putin hinting that this freezing of relations between Russia and NATO countries is actually over the Arctic? Russia more than most Western nations has had military capabilities in the far north for some time. An an eye for the northpole.

Tensions between Russia and Canada have been rising since 2007 due to Russia’s claim on the northpole. The arctic is estimated to hold 15 percent of the worlds oil and 30 percent of its natural gas. The area could keep the status quo running another few decades when exploited. It seems despite the crisis and bluster from NATO countries Russia has been leading the way to the arctic. Lately Putin urged Russian experts, “[to] be active in bilateral and multilateral consultations with governments of the Arctic states and assert every piece of the continental shelf of the Russian Arctic marine areas.” They know what they want.
The claim over the arctic shelf is disputed by the US, Canada, Denmark and Norway. All NATO countries, and all with weaker positions in the arctic and weaker claims. Russia, as it happens, has been busy in the north. It has accomplished its first arctic amphibious landing, deployed paratroopers onto ice and outfitted and upgraded several nuclear submarines of the Northern Fleet.

Back in 2010 Canada reasserted its claim on the arctic mineral shelf and Medevdev, President at the time, was said to respond, “Regrettably, we have seen attempts to limit Russia’s access to the exploration and development of the Arctic mineral resources,” he said. ”That’s absolutely inadmissible from the legal viewpoint and unfair given our nation’s geographical location and history.”

If Medevdev is to be believed than he was suggesting that the West was “attempting to limit Russia’s access.” Seeing how Russia has the worlds most powerful fleet of nuclear-powered icebreakers it can’t physically limit access. Comments made by Mr. Putin to “assert every piece of the continental shelf of the Russian arctic,” certainly makes it sound like he means business. Throw in the arctic conflict and it is easier to understand why NATO is using Crimean self determination to destroy relations with the Russians and spit threats of war.

In December 2013, in response to Canadian arctic claims on the north-pole Putin declared, “that Russia will restore a number of Arctic military air bases that fell into neglect after the 1991 collapse of the Soviet Union.” As Russia decided to re-open Soviet era bases and rebuild the infrastructure at new Siberia and elsewhere, Canada suffered from development shortfalls. 2007 plans by the Canadian government to build a deep sea port in the arctic were downgraded to a fuel post in 2012, while military capabilities and basic infrastructure remain limited.

Claims by the Globe and Mail in 2014 state that Russia plans to plant another flag on the north pole this summer with the nuclear submarine Smolensk. Canada certainly has no capabilities to do likewise, or respond in kind. Claiming the northpole and arctic may be Russia’s revenge for the US-sponsored overthrow of Kiev.

A strange point to consider is that Canada has been reluctant to work with NATO in the arctic, despite having warned Russian aircraft away from Canadian airspace. Is Canada being set up to be the victim in a false flag attack against Russia?How else is the West to win the initiative for control of the far north? NATO will need a casus belli and Canadian foreign policy seems to be in step with whatever NATO or the US/Israel decide. Canadian policy does not suggest it wishes amiable relations with Russia.

So where does good old Uncle Sam stand? Back in 2009 the Department of Navy wrote in a report, “The United States has broad and fundamental national security interests in the Arctic region and is prepared to operate either independently or in conjunction with other states to safeguard these interests. These interests include such matters as missile defense and early warning; deployment of sea and air systems for strategic sealift, strategic deterrence, maritime presence, and maritime security operations; and ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight.” America too wants the north.

The importance of the northpole and arctic must not underestimated in the geopolitical games at hand. Ukraine may be important but the destruction of Western-Russian relations would be more necessary with 15 percent of the worlds oil reserves at stake, and billions in untapped resources. The arctic is far more important strategically than Ukraine for missile defense. It would allow Russia to counter the European missile batteries. And for the first time, the northwest passage is open for business and commerce. Its importance will blossom. Shipping is set to grow exponentially in the next years. With heightened commercial interest and tensions in the far north the risk of environmental and geopolitical disaster is multiplied by the rise inb activity. Russia seems to already be fortifying their position for the looming arctic conflict.

By CJ Keleher