Changes on Northern Geopolitics - from a frontier (of confrontation) to a region (of peace)

Lassi Heininen (1)

1 University of Lapland

At the early-2010s there are two main discourses on a state and geopolitical situation of the Arctic Region: First, that of stability and peacefulness based on institutionalized cooperation across borders by the eight Arctic states and non-states actors. Second, that of a ‘race' of natural resources and emerging conflicts, and an emphasis of state sovereignty and national interests by the five littoral states. The former discourse is (still) much the mainstream discourse, while the latter one challenges it. Behind is on one hand, the very significant geopolitical change, when the circumpolar North transferred from a frontier of the confrontation of the Cold War onto a stable region of peace and institutionalized international cooperation. On the other hand, at the early-21st century another geopolitical change has occurred and influences the region. Even more, the (geo)political position of the circumpolar North has been in a constant change, since this unmapped area and ‘unknown' world became known. It has been either a periphery, or marginal area, or frontier. Or, it has been a resource area for states, and / or a strategic security zone for superpowers like for example, the 2nd World War brought hot warfare into the circumpolar North. Correspondingly, the Cold War period was consisted of the militarization of the region due to the military, political, economic and ideological competition between the USA and the USSR, and consequently, in Northern regions there were an increased military tension. This meant that the region, which used to be a military ‘vacuum' for centuries, first turned into a military ‘flank', and then became a military ‘front' due to the nuclear arms race by the two superpowers: The Arctic became a highly strategic area militarily and military-politically which was manifested for example, by patrolling strategic nuclear submarines and anti-submarine warfare, by patrolling nuclear bombers, and by intensive military exercises and training. Consequently, the military and political tension of the region was increased, and there was a lack of trans-boundary cooperation. This time period can be interpreted to represent a geopolitical point of view in Northern geopolitics. Furthermore, there are good reasons to say that in the Cold War period the Arctic was a frontier of confrontation.

Mots clés: arctic

Domaines: Science politique

Lassi Heininen. Changes on Northern Geopolitics - from a frontier (of confrontation) to a region (of peace). Arctique. Enjeux et équations géopolitiques au 21ème siècle - Arctic. Geopolitical Issues and Equations in 21st the Century, Nov 2010, Lyon, France. ⟨halshs-00541814⟩