Great Power Competition and Conflict Potential in the Arctic

• Main Author: Østhagen, Andreas
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Instituto da Defesa Nacional 2024
• Subjects: Russia; Artic; Norway; Levels of Analysis; Regional Security; Arctic
• Online Access: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/nacao/article/view/37266

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 marks a watershed in relations between the West and Russia, including in the Arctic. However, the hope remains that Arctic security relations are sheltered from the War in Ukraine, despite tension creeping northwards through both bellicose statements from Russia, the Finnish and Swedish accession to NATO, and fears of hybrid operations in the North. This article takes a look at the different political dynamics when it comes to state, or military, security in the Arctic, and how they have evolved since the beginning of 2022. It leans on a conceptual separation between levels of analysis in international affairs, as well as Norway as a case study when examining the “national” level, to further develop the way we conceive of Arctic security and geopolitics moving forward. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 marks a watershed in relations between the West and Russia, including in the Arctic. However, the hope remains that Arctic security relations are sheltered from the War in Ukraine, despite tension creeping northwards through both bellicose statements from Russia, the Finnish and Swedish accession to NATO, and fears of hybrid operations in the North. This article takes a look at the different political dynamics when it comes to state, or military, security in the Arctic, and how they have evolved since the beginning of 2022. It leans on a conceptual separation between levels of analysis in international affairs, as well as Norway as a case study when examining the “national” level, to further develop the way we conceive of Arctic security and geopolitics moving forward.