The Arctic is taking on new relevance environmentally, geopolitcally, socioeconomically and military-strategically. Climate change is the central driving force of this development, leading to the Arctic region’s increased accessibility and increasing mobilities, specifically commercial shipping, military and tourist. Most of these mobilities are sea-based or marine-related. Complex political and socioeconomical interests are intertwined with the processes of national identity building/enforcement for most of the Arctic states. For some of the states the history of Arctic exploration and Nordic identity are an integral part of the national identity, and this varies from state to state. But the increased accessibility means increasing market value of the Arctic ocean, its reserves and potential and this wets the mouths of all the governments in these states.

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Arctic, military, Russia, mobility, NATO