regions of the Arctic disputed between nations and could potentially lead to conflict. However, this is unlikely as states are willing to try to cooperate so that they could all benefit economically from the resources in the region. Introduction This report will focus on how likely a military conflict in the Arctic is. Currently, the region is becoming increasingly accessible due to the shrinking polar ice and therefore, Arctic states view the region as potentially more volatile as it previously has been. This report will outline the background to why the Arctic is becoming potentially more dangerous due to its increasing accessibility and will also show how the Arctic can easily go from cooperating during World War Two to a state of conflict during the Cold War. The report will outline the strategies of the three nations who have the potential to cause a full scale war in the Arctic; Russia, The United States of America (USA) and Canada, before focusing on potential causes of conflict such as the Northwest Passage (NWP), Northern Sea Route (NSR) and competing claims to extend the exclusive economic zones of Arctic nations. This report will conclude that the potential for conflict in the Arctic is very small, states are building up military forces in the region to protect their resources and to have a solid foundation for negotiations in the future. Cooperation in the Arctic is a more likely to occur due to the wealth of revenue potential in the Arctic and states realise this to be the case, and want to work together, but can never rule out a military conflict in the future and should prepare for it.
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