Europe's strategic interests in the Arctic

"High North, low tension" was the motto until a few years ago. The Arctic seems like a remote and inaccessible place. However, progressive climate change, which is warming the Arctic four times faster than the rest of the planet, is opening up new potential and dangers. As a result, the Arctic could become a centre of political and military conflict within a few years.

When we think of the Arctic, cold, ice and remoteness come to mind. Geopolitically, the Arctic is also not (yet) considered relevant to defence. Hardly any troops are deployed or investments made. The climate is said to be too hostile and the geography too inhospitable. But this Arctic exceptionalism seems to be outdated or never existed. The now unstoppable melting of the ice will