The Age of the Arctic Hot Conflicts and Cold Realities

Negotiations to create an International Arctic Science Committee have increased public awareness of issues involving the Arctic. This book provides a timely review of the situation from a social, political and human standpoint and provides an in-depth study of contemporary global controversies involving the Arctic. The authors describe the military, political and socio-economic conflicts emerging in the far north and consider the interests of the four major groups involved - the military, industry, natives, and environmentalists. Possible solutions are discussed, exploring US policy options, the role of non-governmental bodies and opportunities for international cooperation in the Arctic. This book offers a comprehensive and systematic framework for understanding and responding to conflicts in the Arctic and will be essential reading for all interested in, and concerned with, this important region of the earth.

List of figures; Dedication; Preface; Acknowledgements; Part I. The Setting: 1. Arctic dreams, Arctic realities; Part II. Players and Interests: 2. The Arctic strategic arena: security interests; 3. The Arctic economic frontier: industrial interests; 4. Arctic homelands: native interests; 5. Arctic ecosystems: environmental interests; Part III. Handling Arctic Conflicts: 6. Arctic issues, Arctic conflicts; 7. Private initiatives: Arctic problem solving; 8. Public initiatives: the United States in the age of the Arctic; 9. International initiatives: building Arctic regimes; Notes to Part 3; Epilogue; Index.

Negotiations to create an International Arctic Science Committee have increased public awareness of issues involving the Arctic. This book provides a timely review of the situation from a social, political and human standpoint and provides an in-depth study of contemporary global controversies involving the Arctic.