Published August 3rd, 2009 by Future Atlas
Arctic Military Buildup
As Russia plans to drop paratroopers into the Arctic as part of an exercise, Canada’s Defence Minister said last week that “We’re going to protect our sovereign territory and we’re always to meet any challenge to that territorial sovereignty.”
The Canadian Press article by Elizabeth Macmillan offered this context:
- “Many countries have beefed up their military presence in the Arctic.”
- “Russia, Canada, Sweden, Finland and Norway are increasing Arctic forces or increasing training for existing forces.”
- “International experts say the military buildup indicates that nations with territory in the resource-rich Arctic believe that armed conflict in the high north is a very real possibility.”
There is certainly a “very real possibility,” but that does not equal a high probability; the Arctic is surrounded by countries with a relatively low likelihood of fighting each other. Still, several of the more likely scenarios for future wars involving Canada take place in the Arctic.
(Image courtesy madmack66, Flickr)