Global Geopolitical Shift: Balance of Power in the Arctic

Year 2021, Issue: 6, 77 - 91, 01.01.2021

Ferdi Güçyetmez

Abstract

Introduction

Considering today's conditions, the international arena seems to be anarchic. In order to ensure the anarchic structuring order, there are regional and international organizational structures. There is a new area of this anarchic structuring and balance of power issue: The Arctica. When we examine the relations of the states in the Arctic region or with interest in the region; Since there is no higher authority to decide on the issues in the region, it is observed that the relations of the states in the region are carried out in an anarchic system.
According to Waltz, the international system is anarchic and decentralized. In this anarchic system, the purpose of the states is to survive as in classical realism. The system's anarchic nature stems from the assumption that states see each other as a rival/enemy. Since states cannot rely on each other in the anarchic system, they must rely on the "tools" they have created to exist (Jensen, 2011: 155). Therefore, the struggle to create power in the new regional system created in the global system begins.
On the other hand, can it be said that there is a power gap in the region? This question is critical for the arctic, the new field of global conflict. As an answer to this question, we can say that Russia already has authority in the region. As we mentioned above, after the glaciers' melting, this power will increase more with new areas opened. At this point, since there is an element of power, it is necessary to balance power. States act similarly in the Arctic. As reflected in the strategy documents, Russia's biggest aim is to preserve its sovereignty in the region, in other words, to maintain its power.

Keywords

Global Geopolitical, Arctic, Geopolitical

Global Geopolitical Shift: Balance of Power in the Arctic

Abstract

References

• Akhiyadov, M. (2019). Yeni Bir Jeopolitik Mücadele Alanı: Arktik Bölgesi. insamer: https://insamer.com/tr/yeni-bir-jeopolitik-mucadele-alani-arktik-bolgesi_2227.html, (date of access: 04.12.2020).
• Byers, M. (2009). Who Owns the Arctic?: Understanding Sovereignty Disputes in the North. Canada: Douglas & McIntyre.
• Commission of the European Communities. (2006). Green Paper: Towards a Future Maritime Policy for the Union: A European vision for the oceans and seas. Brussels: Commission of the European Communities.
• Defense News. (2015, Mayıs). Tensions High as Russia Responds to Exercise. Defense News: https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2015/05/31/tensions-high-as-russia-responds-to-exercise/, (Access Date: 05.12.2020).
• Dünya Ticaretinin%90'ı Deniz Yolu İle Gerçekleşti. (2019, 02 08). 08 15, 2020 tarihinde Deniz Haber Ajansı: https://www.denizhaber.net/dunya-ticaretinin-yuzde-90i-deniz-yoluyla-gerceklesti-haber-86697.htm (date of access: 05.12.2020).
• Gebhardt, H., & Ingenfeld, E. (2011). Die Arktis im Fokus geoökonomischer und geopolitischer Interessen. Geographische Rundschau, 5(63), pp. 26-32.
• Golodnov, V. (1988). Mihail Gorbaçov izbranniye Rechi i Statyi, Moskva: Poli¬tizdat.
• Government of Canada. (2019). Canada and the circumpolar Arctic. Government of Canada: https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/arctic-arctique/index.aspx?lang=eng (date of access: 04.12.2020).
• Gunitskiy, V. (2008). On thin ice: Water rights and resource disputes in the Arctic Ocean, Journal of International Affairs, 61(2), pp. 261-271.
• Honneland, G., & Jorgensen, J. H. (2005). Federal Environmental Governance and the Russian North. Polar Geography, pp. 20- 45.
• Institut, A. W. (2013). Die Arktis. Aussenpolitik InternatRecht: http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/DE/Aussenpolitik/InternatRecht/ Einzelfragen/Arktis/Arktis-Grundlagentext_node.html adresinden alınmıştır
• Is the Arctic set to become a main shipping route?, https://www.bbc.com/news/business-45527531, (date of access: 11.26.2020).
• Jarashow, M., Runnels, M. B., & Svenson, T. (2006). UNCLOS and the Arctic: The Path of Least Resistance. Fordham International Law Journal, 30(5), pp. 1585-1652.
• Jensen, Øystein. "Current Legal Developments the Barents Sea". The International Journal of Marine and Coastal Law. 26.1 (2011), pp. 151-168.
• Kingdom of Denmark. (2011). Denmark, Greenland and the Faroe Islands: Kingdom of Denmark Strategy for the Arctic 2011–2020. Kingdom of Denmark.
• Kissinger, H. (1969). American Foreign Policy: Three Essays. New York: Norton.
• L.W. Brigham, (2013). Projected 21st-century changes to Arctic marine Access, Climatic Change, 118(15), pp. 885–899.
• Mearsheimer, J. J. (2001) The Tragedy of Great Power Politics, New York: Norton Publishing.
• Medmedev, D. (2008, Eylül 18). asics of the State Policy of the Russian Federation in the Arctic for the Period till 2020 and a Further Perspective,. Rusya. http://www.arctis-search.com/Russian+Federation+Policy+for+the+Arctic+to+2020, (date of access: 05.12.2020).
• Michael, P. j. (2007, Haziran 13). The Cold Truth about Greenland. Chicago Sun Times: http://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=8285 (date of access: 01.12.2020). National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. (2007). ARCHIVED - Operation NANOOK 07. National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces: http://www.forces.gc.ca/en/news/article.page?doc=operation-nanook-07/hnps1twv (date of access: 05.12.2020).
• Nordregio İnternet Sitesi, (2009), http://www.nordregio.se/en/Maps--Graphs/07-Cooperation-and-eligible-areas/Regional-Cooperation-in-the-North/, (date of access: 04.01.2015). Østerud, Ø., & Hønneland, G. (2014). Geopolitics and International Governance in the Arctic. Arctic Review on Law and Politics, 5(2), pp. 156-176.
• Prohorov, A. (1970). bolşaya sovetskaya entsiklopediya (2 b.). Moskova: Sovetskaya Entsiklopediya.
• Protection Of The Arctıc Marine Environment Working Group . (2009). Arctic Offshore Oil And Gas Guidelines . Tromso: Arctic Council .
• Pynnöniemi, K., & Saari, S. (2017, Haziran). Hibrid etkiler - Finlandiya'dan alınacak dersler. NATO REVIEW: nato.int/docu/review/tr/articles/2017/06/28/hibrid-etkiler-finlandiya-dan-alinacak-dersler/index.html(date of access: 05.12.2020).
• Savunma Bakanlığı Strateji Belgesi. (2019). Department of Defense Arctic Strategy. Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy.
• Shukman, D. (2011). Üniformalar yeşeriyor. NATO Review: https://www.nato.int/docu/review/tr/articles/2011/01/26/ueniformalar-yeseriyor/index.html, (date of access: 05.12.2020). Suna Şahin (2016), Türkiye’nin 1982:01-2015:02 Dönemi Ticaret Bilançosu ve Gayri Safi (Brüt) Değişim Dış Ticaret Hadleri İlişkisi’’, Journal of International Trade, Finance and Logistics, 1(1). Surenkov, V. (2012). Arctic Energy Resources and Global Energy Security, Journal of Military and Strategic Studies, 1(22), p. 12.
• Tann, N. (2018). New Icebreakers Needed in a Melting Arctic. 06 03, 2020 tarihinde American Security Project: https://www.americansecurityproject.org/icebreakers-needed-melting-arctic/ (date of access: 02.12.2020).
• The Economist. (2019, Aralık). The Economist Intelligence Unit. The Economist: https://www.eiu.com/oil-adequacy-index (06.12.2020).
• The European Parliament . (2009). Resolution of 9 October 2008 on Arctic Governance. Brussels : The European Parliament .
• Turner, J. A. (2015). When the Ice Melts Developing Proactive American Strategy for the Eurasian Arctic. Alabama: Air University Press.
• WALTZ, Kenneth N. (2000), ''Structural Realism After TheColdWar'', İnternational Secrurity, 01622889, 25(5), p.14.