Putin Responds to NATO Expansion, Plans to Expand Russian Navy in the Arctic

Russian President Vladimir Putin last month signed a new maritime doctrine focusing the country’s naval efforts in the Arctic, Atlantic regions. The document was signed aboard a Russian frigate and was ostensibly in reaction to “NATO’s active development and the alliance approaching our borders,” according to Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin, the head of Russia’s newly […]

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Despite Challenges, U.S. Arctic Offshore Energy Exploration Efforts Continue

When it comes to energy production, Alaska continues to be a major leader, but not quite the clear-cut front-runner it once was. In fact, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that the state, once a national and global leader in the petroleum industry, has seen its level of production drop from 1.8 million barrels per […]

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Russia Seeks to Claim the North Pole

On August 3, Russia submitted a claim to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf pleading to obtain massive territorial rights in the Arctic, including the North Pole. The claim asserts that the underwater ridges of the arctic and the in-between basins “have a continental character” and are thereby subject to Russian […]

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Russia Releases New Naval Doctrine in the Arctic

Russia released a new naval doctrine on the celebration of Navy Day in response to Nato activities close to Russian borders The doctrine outlines Russia’s plans to get a new fleet of icebreaker vessels and Russia’s new unrestricted access to the Atlantic and Pacific. “The Atlantic emphasis is linked to the fact that recently there […]

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Lack of Icebreakers Delays Important Research Expedition

Dr. Jay Cullen expressed disappointment for the delay of an important scientific expedition in the Arctic after the only ice breaking vehicle left, the Amundsen, was reassigned to clear up a shipping channel along the Hudson Bay. The shipping channel had been blocked by a late break up of sea ice, preventing the delivery of […]

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U.S. Arctic Oil Exploration to Begin This Summer

The Obama administration has granted two permits which allow Royal Dutch Shell PLC to start drilling exploratory wells in Alaska’s Chukchi Sea. The permits only allow the oil giant to begin the top section of its proposed wells. It will have to wait for the arrival of ships transporting key safety equipment before it can drill deep […]

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Russia Plans to Develop New Shipping Route in Arctic Despite Falling Oil and Gas Prices

Russia plans to invest in a new shipping lane to rival the Chinese and European’s Suez Canal through an expansion of the Northern Sea Route (NSR). Recent drops in oil prices may delay the onset of NSR development despite Russian ambition to increase shipping to 80,000 tons per year.  The Hellenic Shipping News details Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev’s plans […]

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National Geographic Explorer Encounters a Massive Polar Bear on Arctic Expedition

As Paul Rose embarked on a journey to study and document the future of the Arctic, he did not expect that he would have a face to face encounter with a 700-800 pound Female Polar Bear. National Geographic outlines Rose’s experience of encountering one of the Arctic’s most majestic species.   How does Rose explain the […]

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Three Alaska Native Corporations form Inuit Arctic Business Alliance

Three Alaska Native Corporations have formed the Inuit Arctic Business Alliance with the purpose to ensure Arctic enterprises benefit communities in the region. Newsminer.com provides a brief overview of the group’s purpose as well as the members involved. The Arctic Slope Regional Corporation, NANA Regional Corporation and Bering Straits Native Corporation established the IABA. Together, […]

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