Will the Arctic be the next global flashpoint?

2015-08-18T20:47:43-04:00

Russia is moving air defense systems modified for the harsh Arctic environment to key areas near its borders with Norway and the US, the US Army's Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO) notes in its August 2015 report.

According to the FMSO, the Kremlin is looking to place short-to-medium range antiaircraft SA-22 Pantsir-S1 battalions at Murmansk by the Norwegian border and at unspecified locations in the east of Russia facing both the US and Japan.

Russia's militarization of the Arctic comes as the region's ice melts and the area takes on greater geopolitical significance.

The US estimates that about 15% of the world's remaining oil, up to 30% of its natural gas deposits, and about 20% of its liquefied natural gas are stored in the Arctic seabed. Receding Arctic ice would also open up new shipping routes through formerly ice-covered areas.

To capitalize on its advantageous Arctic position, Russia has began a substantial upgrade of its military assets in the region.

Read more at ...

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/pentagon-report-russia-is-deploying-new-specially-modified-air-defense-systems-to-the-arctic/ar-CC16kw

Pentagon report: Russia is deploying new, specially modified air-defense systems to the Arctic

Wiki CommonsRussia is moving air defense systems modified for the harsh Arctic environment to key areas near its borders with Norway and the US, the US Army's Foreign Military Studies Office (FMSO) notes in its August 2015 report. According...

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 8:54 PM

2015-08-18T20:54:35-04:00

Why not? We can spread ourselves thin. How will we respond?

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 18 at 2015 8:57 PM

2015-08-18T20:57:54-04:00

At the rate the polar cap is melting I think this will be a non-issue if 20 years if the global warming doomsayers are correct.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Aug 18 at 2015 8:58 PM

2015-08-18T20:58:00-04:00

Ice Station Zebra... This was a concern for many years during cold war. I was in the 172d Infantry Brigade, Fort Wainwright, AK from 1981 - 1984, and this was a drill and mission set. It is also a mission of the AK ARNG - Alaskan Scouts. Likely, the threat has never left. I believe the Russians just want to flex their muscles to show, or try to show, they are still a player. They need to focus on domestic issues.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0063121/

Ice Station Zebra (1968)

Directed by John Sturges. With Rock Hudson, Ernest Borgnine, Patrick McGoohan, Jim Brown. Commander James Ferraday, USN, has new orders: get David Jones, a British civilian, Captain Anders, a tough Marine with a platoon of troops, Boris Vasilov, a friendly Russian, and the crew of the nuclear sub USS Tigerfish to the North Pole to rescue the crew of Drift Ice Station Zebra, a weather station at the top of the world. The mission takes on new...

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Aug 18 at 2015 9:12 PM

2015-08-18T21:12:11-04:00

"Don't invade Moscow in the Winter" is one of the top 5 rules of land warfare. You aren't gonna beat the Russians on "home turf." If they want the north pole, let them have it.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 1:21 AM

2015-08-19T01:21:51-04:00

Quite possibly the worst imaginable duty station.
Waiting by Anti-aircraft weapons that will surely be the first targets taken out, freezing your behind off with no amenities at all, waiting for an attack that will never come.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 19 at 2015 11:14 AM

2015-08-19T11:14:41-04:00

It could be, but I honestly think that we are happy with a few subs there as a deterrent. Let Russia (I almost said the Soviets) play in the arctic. It's a cold bitter place much more suited for them.

Well... I just read the rest of the article and I suppose it really depends on what our allies that border the region are going to do.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Aug 27 at 2015 12:04 PM

2015-08-27T12:04:51-04:00

No. Because it is too cold and we have other flashpoints that have never gone away to keep this on the bottom back shelf.

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Sep 4 at 2015 12:59 AM

2015-09-04T00:59:14-04:00

The United States may be a powerhouse with military hardware, but it has fallen woefully behind when it comes to icebreakers.

President Barack Obama said this week in Alaska that we need more icebreakers and proposed to "accelerate acquisition of a replacement heavy icebreaker to 2020 from 2022."

The US has fallen behind other nations in terms of resources in the Arctic. Currently, the US has two fully functioning Arctic icebreakers — one is 40 years old and the other is 15. Rear Admiral Jeffrey M. Garrett served as the first commanding officer for the USCGS Healy, the newer of the two ships.

This compares with Russia's 40 icebreakers and another 11 ships in the works. Not to mention, says Garrett, South Korea, Japan, China, India and South Africa also own fully functioning icebreakers operating in the region.

"I don't think it's as much a competition with other countries. ... It's really not an arms race. It's really can the United States have the assets that it needs to support its national interest."

"And because we have longterm interests in the Antarctic [as well], one old icebreaker and one newer one just isn't enough. Because if you can't really be on the scene, you really are not going to be a player in the long run."

Icebreakers are expensive ships to build. "To build one ship, although it's just a tiny drop in the overall federal budget, it's a very big hit on the Coast Guard's budget," Garrett explains.

President Obama says he plans on working with Congress to fund an expanded icebreaker fleet, "to ensure the United States can operate year-round in the Arctic Ocean," he says.

http://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/a-new-cold-war-is-emerging-between-the-us-and-russia-%e2%80%94-over-icebreakers/ar-AAdUKtv?li=AA4Zpp

A new 'cold war' is emerging between the US and Russia — over icebreakers

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Sep 11 at 2015 2:36 AM

2015-09-11T02:36:37-04:00

U.S. builds up Arctic spy network as Russia and China increase presence ...

As China and Russia boost their military presence in the resource-rich far north, U.S. intelligence agencies are scrambling to study potential threats in the Arctic for the first time since the Cold War, a sign of the region's growing strategic importance..

Over the last 14 months, most of the 16 U.S. intelligence agencies have assigned analysts to work full time on the Arctic. The Office of the Director of National Intelligence recently convened a "strategy board" to bring the analysts together to share their findings.

Read more at ...

http://www.latimes.com/world/europe/la-fg-arctic-spy-20150907-story.html

U.S. builds up Arctic spy network as Russia and China increase presence

As China and Russia boost their military presence in the resource-rich far north, U.S. intelligence agencies are scrambling to study potential threats in the Arctic for the first time since the Cold War, a sign of the region's growing strategic importance.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Sep 16 at 2015 2:55 PM

2015-09-16T14:55:58-04:00

One reason this is even a question is the rapidly melting Polar Ice Cap, and believe the Russians have been monitoring this situation for years.

Response by LCDR Mike Roshaven made Sep 22 at 2015 1:29 PM

2015-09-22T13:29:54-04:00

With the amount of Oil & Gas that the Russian's think they have recently found, added to what they already know about, their share of the resources covered by the 200-350 Exclusive Economic Zone extending from their shoreline is significant. SIGNIFICANT. But they have also been coming up with unique ways to claim more 'shoreline', going so far as planting a Russian Flag on the seafloor AT THE NORTH POLE (they have been working on supporting claims as to why they 'own' the North Pole). What we are looking at, basically, is Russia wanting to claim the entire Arctic. Maybe they will let us keep our little operation in Prudhoe Bay going, but they want as much of this Oil & Gas as they can get their hands on.

Response by SR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 23 at 2015 4:35 AM

2015-09-23T04:35:07-04:00

Interesting maps !

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Sep 23 at 2015 6:37 AM

2015-09-23T06:37:33-04:00

This is the ice map for 22 Sep 2015 - right around the arctic polar ice minimum. Russia's got the majority of the ice-free coastline from the Atlantic to the Bering Sea.

Response by SR Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 3:47 PM

2015-10-01T15:47:42-04:00

We need :
- more ice breakers
- more polar bases/harbor around the Canadian US polar route
- communication plans with modern 3D videos and small movies (examples>>): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSSrPCE0smo

Distant Early Warning Radar: "The DEW Line Story" 1958 AT&T - Western Electric

more at http://scitech.quickfound.net/ "DESCRIBES THE CONSTRUCTION ALONG A 3,000 MILE LINE OF A SERIES OF RADAR SITES IN NORTHERN CANADA AND ALASKA, ILLUSTRA...

Response by GySgt Wayne A. Ekblad made Oct 29 at 2015 11:53 PM

2015-10-29T23:53:19-04:00

Response by SR Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2015 5:39 AM

2015-12-03T05:39:30-05:00

Russia is now planning to import gas in Europe and France via Siberia..

http://www.ouest-france.fr/pays-de-la-loire/saint-nazaire-44600/des-brise-glaces-siberiens-bientot-sur-la-loire-3885149

Des brise-glaces sibériens bientôt sur la Loire

Une grande partie du gaz qui alimente l’ouest passe par Montoir-de-Bretagne, près de Saint-Nazaire. Le terminal monte accueillera des méthaniers sibériens en

Response by SR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 10 at 2016 4:28 PM

2016-03-10T16:28:28-05:00

http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_slatest/2016/03/10/barack_obama_and_justin_trudeau_announce_new_climate_and_arctic_initiatives.html

"President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau share a common vision of a prosperous and sustainable North American economy, and the opportunities afforded by advancing clean growth. They emphasize and embrace the special relationship between the two countries and their history of close collaboration on energy development, environmental protection, and Arctic leadership. The two leaders regard the Paris Agreement as a turning point in global efforts to combat climate change and anchor economic growth in clean development. They resolve that the United States and Canada must and will play a leadership role internationally in the low carbon global economy over the coming decades, including through science-based steps to protect the Arctic and its peoples. Canada and the U.S. will continue to respect and promote the rights of Indigenous peoples in all climate change decision making. Furthermore, the leaders emphasize the importance of the U.S. and Canada continuing to cooperate closely with Mexico on climate and energy action and commit to strengthen a comprehensive and enduring North American climate and energy partnership.
***

Recognizing the role that carbon markets can play in helping countries achieve their climate targets while also driving low-carbon innovation, both countries commit to work together to support robust implementation of the carbon markets-related provisions of the Paris Agreement. The federal governments, together and in close communication with states, provinces and territories, will explore options for ensuring the environmental integrity of transferred units, in particular to inform strong INDC accounting and efforts to avoid “double-counting” of emission reductions. They will also encourage sub-national governments to share lessons learned about the design of effective carbon pricing systems and supportive policies and measures. The countries will expand their collaboration in this area over time.

***

Building a sustainable Arctic economy. We confirm that for commercial activities in the Arctic - including shipping, fishing, and oil and gas exploration and development - we will set a world-class standard by basing development decisions and operations on scientific evidence. Further, commercial activities will occur only when the highest safety and environmental standards are met, including national and global climate and environmental goals, and Indigenous rights and agreements. Canada and the U.S. will work to develop this year a shared and science-based standard for considering the life-cycle impacts of commercial activities in the Arctic.

- Low impact shipping corridors: We will work together to establish consistent policies for ships operating in the region, taking into account important ecological and cultural areas, vessel traffic patterns, Indigenous and Northern Arctic input, and increased cooperation of our Coast Guards. The two countries will also work together to share assessments of navigation data quality and capacities for supporting safe and low-impact shipping in the Beaufort Sea. In addition, we will determine with Arctic partners how best to address the risks posed by heavy fuel oil use and black carbon emissions from Arctic shipping.
- Abundant Arctic fish: The leaders call for a binding international agreement to prevent the opening of unregulated fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean to preserve living marine resources and promote scientific research in the region. Canada offers to host the next round of negotiations, to continue momentum and build on a precautionary, science-based principle to commercial fishing that both countries have put in place in their Arctic waters.
- Science-based approach to oil and gas: If oil and gas development and exploration proceeds, activities must align with science-based standards between the two nations that ensure appropriate preparation for operating in Arctic conditions, including robust and effective well control and emergency response measures."

Obama and Trudeau Pledge New Climate Action to Protect the Arctic

On Thursday, during the first official visit to Washington by a Canadian leader in 19 years, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Obama focused ...

Response by SR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 3 at 2016 7:10 AM

2016-07-03T07:10:34-04:00

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/06/16/482288188/russia-launches-worlds-biggest-most-powerful-icebreaker

Russia Launches World's Biggest, Most Powerful Icebreaker

The 568-foot-long Arktika is powered by two nuclear reactors and capable of breaking through ice 13 feet deep. Russia's interest in the Arctic is rising along with global temperatures.

Response by SR Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2016 5:19 AM

2016-07-13T05:19:45-04:00

https://shipbuilders.org/shipbuilders-president-highlights-skilled-workforce-testament-us-shipyard-industry-capability-build

Shipbuilders President Highlights Skilled Workforce as Testament to U.S. Shipyard Industry...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | JULY 12, 2016Washington, D.C.- In testimony before the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation,Matthew Paxton, President of the Shipbuilders Council of America (SCA)today cited the proven track record of the men and women of the U.S. shipyard industry as he described the capability and capacity of the U.S. shipyard industry to build the next generation of polar icebreakers.

Response by SR Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 23 at 2016 6:46 AM

2016-08-23T06:46:37-04:00

http://www.slate.com/blogs/bad_astronomy/2016/08/22/global_warming_has_allowed_easier_access_to_the_northwest_passage.html

Global Warming Has Now Made the Northwest Passage a Thing

For centuries, explorers dreamed of plying the Northwest Passage. Now, thanks to global warming, they can.