EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A military conflict in the Arctic is very unlikely, it is not wanted by Arctic countries and would be expensive to participate in. However, that is not to say that Arctic states do not have a military presence in the Arctic. With climate change comes increased accessibility to the vast amount of resources in the region and states are acting to protect their resources in the region and to protect the extraction in the future. Russia, the largest state in the Arctic region, has a varied policy in the Arctic, but one which is still unlikely to cause conflict in the near term future. As Russia is surrounded by NATO member states in the region and believes it has to have the capability to defend itself in the region. However, Russia also participates in military exercises with these countries, showing signs of cooperation that would not be present if a conflict was inevitable. The United States of America has a very non- committal Arctic policy, its citizens do not have an Arctic identity, and the Arctic is seen by the government as a strategic location by which it can potentially exploit resources in the future and to use the region strategically for international politics. Canada’s new liberal government has almost removed the risk of a conflict involving Canada in the Arctic. It has shifted from an aggressive foreign policy to one that is open to communication and cooperation. Possible triggers for conflict in the future, although still unlikely, is when the decisions of the Commission on the Limit of the Continental Shelf is published. It could lead to
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