Russia continues to become a dominant geopolitical figure in the Arctic through the development of new icebreakers and shipping lanes while American activity in the region remains stagnant. The US Chief Coast Guard assesses the substantial difference between Russian and U.S. activity in the Arctic as well as the importance for the U.S. to take initiative in […]
In the first sighting in almost 50 years a bowhead whale, the thick-bodied species that live in Arctic waters, was spotted in Nemuro Strait off the Hokkaido town of Rausu in Japan. The last sighting of a bowhead whale near Japan was in Osaka Bay in 1969, nearly half a century ago. The “Evergeen” sightseeing boat, […]
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A live video stream from Katami National Park in Alaska is providing stay-cationers with a great way to see nature in the Arctic without the travel. The cameras let viewers watch Alaskan Brown Bears catch sockeye salmon as they make their way upriver to spawn. As many as 25 bears have been seen fishing at Brooks […]
The nuclear powered Russian Ice breaker, Yamal, carried a team of Russian researchers along the Arctic Coast, described as the largest research expedition in 20 years. Research was conducted in four seas as well as other archipelagos. Special interest was shown towards the Kara Sea. An article from Alaska Dispatch News details Russian researchers’ efforts. The […]
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Thinning of Arctic ice, icebreaking technology, and growing supply and demand for resources have made the Arctic an important area to develop efficient shipping routes. Thus far, Russia has taken advantage of shipping links connecting Europe and Asia. Currently, the US and Canada have the potential to take advantage of Arctic shipping regimes in the […]
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While the Obama Administration continues to implement policies that hinder Arctic development, Russia militarizes the area and pursues yet to-be-tapped oil, gas and mineral deposits. This according to David Hunt, retired U.S. Army colonel and former security advisor to the FBI in a piece for the Washington Examiner. Hunt assesses the importance of expanding Arctic policies […]
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Russia’s increasing presence to militarize, exploit energy resource potential, and secure a northern sea Route in the Arctic poses questions about western nation’s readiness in the northern security race. A Wall Street Journal editorial outlines the potential valuable resources in the Arctic as well as Russia’s goals, followed by their efforts to demobilize Finland’s Arctic initiatives. “That is […]
A U.S. ship will take a team of researchers through the Bearing Straight and to the North Pole this summer as part of the Geotraces Project according to the Alaska Dispatch News. “Part of the plan is that we’ll have a crossover station with the Europeans and a crossover station with the Canadians. And we will […]
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Russia develops new Bastion anti-ship missile complexes in efforts to increase military presence in the Arctic. The International Business Times details the implications of Russia’s advancing ship fleets. The coastal defense missile system is reportedly designed to destroy various enemy ships, including landing squadrons, convoys, carrier strike groups and single vessels. “The Russian military group in […]
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Norwegian and Japanese companies are teaming up to pursue interests in energy exports from the Arctic in the form of a clean renewable energy resource, wind energy. An article from the Alaska Dispatch News reviews Norwegian and Japanese efforts to take advantage of potential renewable resources in the Arctic. Norwegian and Japanese companies are interested in […]
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