Importance of the Arctic in the Framework of Air Power Theory

• Main Author: Selim Kurt
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English; Turkish
• Published: International Journal of Politic and Security 2021
• Subjects: air power theory; geopolitical theories; arctic; arctic circle; Political science (General); JA1-92; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/3414ac4fa1c744429ae4abdca09ef6ca

At first, the Arctic is regarded as inaccessible and unproductive because of its geographical and climatic characteristics stemming from its location. However, despite the perception provoked by these geographical disadvantages, the melting of the thick ice mass on its surface in recent years, aside from its geopolitical significance, has led this region to come to the fore in international politics. The melting in the Arctic has not only allowed natural resources that were previously not feasible for operating to become accessible, but it has also enabled alternative transport routes to be discovered. These resources, and the Arctic’s unique position in the northernmost part of the world allowing shortening distances, have led to the need to look at the Arctic region with a fresh eye. Unlike the well-established perception that the Earth lies along with the East-West direction, air power theorists, in particular, assert that looking at the Earth from the northernmost, that is, from the Arctic region, would significantly alter our perception of direction and distance by shortening distances considerably. Such a way of looking brings the Arctic region to the forefront, moving the Heartland to this region in the framework of air power, and making it the focus of the global struggle.