14. Arctic Geopolitics and Territorial Claims
As Arctic ice melts, exposing new routes and resources, competing territorial claims by Russia, Canada, the United States, and Denmark (on behalf of Greenland) complicate the region’s future. Russia has made extensive claims to the Arctic continental shelf, including areas near the North Pole, asserting rights to exploit these resources. Canada and Denmark have also submitted competing claims to the same underwater ridges. These disputes over the continental shelf’s extent could grant exclusive rights to valuable resources, potentially worth billions of dollars. Additionally, debates over the legal status of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and the Northwest Passage further intensify tensions. Russia claims sovereignty over the NSR, while the United States views it as an international waterway. Similarly, Canada considers the Northwest Passage an internal waterway, whereas the United States and others regard it as an international strait. These competing claims and differing interpretations of international law underscore the complex geopolitical landscape of the Arctic. For a comprehensive analysis, refer to the Council on Foreign Relations’ report on Arctic governance (cfr.org).
