https://arab.news/9cwe9
With no end in sight to Russia’s war in Ukraine and a large US military buildup taking shape around Iran, another region that usually receives less attention is appearing in the headlines: the Arctic.
The Arctic region encompasses eight countries: the US, Canada, Denmark (because of Greenland), Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland and Russia. It is widely believed to hold vast energy reserves, including oil, gas and rare earth minerals. The region is also growing in economic importance as melting sea ice opens new shipping lanes.
As the Arctic’s global significance grows, so does interest from both Arctic and non-Arctic countries — especially in an era defined by great power competition.
A recent example was President Donald Trump’s push to acquire Greenland for the US. Washington already has a decades-old defense agreement with Denmark that provides very broad defense access and basing rights in Greenland. Nevertheless, Trump and his administration argued that outright US ownership was necessary to secure the Arctic region adequately.
