The Arctic's Permafrost of Geopolitical Interests
FIRST INSTANCE: The Cold War Paradigm (1940s-1950s) The militarization of the Arctic is not new. During the nascent stages of the Cold War, the region was identified as a critical front for both defense and potential offense due to its direct air routes between the Soviet Union and North America. The Distant Early Warning (DEW) line, operationalized in 1957 by the United States and Canada,
comprising 63 radar sites across the Arctic, exemplifies this early emphasis on surveillance and military infrastructure in the region ( Department of Defense, 1957 ). This framework established 'deterrence' and 'containment' as primary drivers for Arctic military buildup. REPETITIONS: Resource Scramble and 'Security Gaps' (Early 2000s & 2010s) Following a post-Cold War lull, interest in the
Arctic reignited in the early 2000s, driven by diminishing ice cover making resources more accessible and new shipping lanes viable. In 2007, Russia famously planted its flag on the Arctic seabed at the North Pole, symbolically asserting its territorial claims. This act, while largely symbolic, served as an impetus for other Arctic nations to re-evaluate their regional strategies. By 2009, the US
Geological Survey estimated that the Arctic could hold 13% of the world's undiscovered oil and 30% of its undiscovered natural gas, elevating the region's economic and strategic importance ( USGS, 2009 ). NATO's 2009 Strategic Concept acknowledged the 'strategic importance' of the Arctic, yet delayed explicit policy due to internal disagreements. This period set the stage for framing 'Russia's