NATO’s concern about the actions and cooperation of China and Russia in the Arctic
Seyyed Reza Mirtaher stated that the Russians formed two special Arctic brigades years ago and deployed air defense systems, strike fighter planes and interceptors of all kinds of military equipment in the Arctic regions, adding that the NATO Secretary General warned that Russia would use the Arctic space for testing ultrasonic weapons use, and it has been true; Because the Russians recently tested the “Zirkon” ultrasonic cruise missile in this region, which caused great concern in the West.
“The Secretary General of NATO also warned about the significant strengthening of China’s presence in the Arctic, which has manifested itself in the form of establishing research stations, trying to create sea routes through the Arctic, and at the same time using its mineral resources. Regardless of the claims of the West, this issue shows that Russia and China have cooperated not only in the arena of Asia and the Pacific to deal with the threats of the United States, but now in the new strategic environment that has gained double importance in recent years”.
Mirtaher reminded that unfortunately due to the increase in global temperature, the melting of the polar ice and the shrinking of its ice extent, it is possible for commercial ships to travel there and the presence of military ships in the Arctic has become possible.
He continued that “now new sea routes have been created where ships instead of going round the earth are able to reach other places through the Arctic. In addition, there are huge reserves of oil and gas and other minerals in the Arctic, so the Russians emphasize that in the 21st century, their main source of oil and gas will be the Arctic.
Mirtaher added that this issue has become a common concern of Russia and other western countries located in the Arctic circle, such as Canada, Norway, the United States and Denmark. These countries, along with NATO, have tried to increase their military presence in recent years, especially by increasing the presence of warships and holding exercises in countries and regions neighboring the Arctic, such as Norway, Canada, and Alaska, and this is a response to the increase in Russian military presence in these areas.
China’s coordination with Russia is the cause of increasing confrontation between Russia and the West in the Arctic
Mirtaher considered China’s coordination with Russia as the reason for the increase in the confrontation between Russia and the West in the Arctic and said this shows that the Russians are trying to use China’s leverage to confront the West in the Arctic, and the Chinese have also shown that wherever economic and commercial interests and or long-term strategic interests, they are willing to invest, and this issue also applies to the Arctic and Antarctic.
This international affairs expert stated that NATO is worried that the scope of China’s presence will gradually increase in various areas of the Arctic, and continued that the West is worried that China and Russia, as the two so-called in American words “revisionist” powers are seeking to change the former balances in the international environment, including in the Arctic, and this issue is certainly to the detriment of the West and the current balance of power.
The prospect of intensifying competition in the Arctic
Regarding the prospect of intensifying competition in the North and the participation of China and Russia in this region, he noted that the war in Ukraine is considered as a turning point in the evolution of the international system, and after that, the scope of confrontation between Russia and the West will have very serious and extensive dimensions.
“This development exists in different fields and for many reasons, its scope is expected to extend to the Arctic. It seems that in the not too distant future, we will witness a military confrontation between Russia and the West in the Arctic, and this confrontation will have serious consequences”.
Mirtaher said that China seeks to increase its presence in the Arctic as much as possible and to have all possible uses of this strategic region in the 21st century, adding that Russians have a strong military presence in the Arctic since the Soviet era and had set up in these areas radar warning stations, defense, air, and submarine bases to deal with nuclear or non-nuclear attacks by the United States. But after the collapse of the Soviet Union, many of them were closed and shut down.
This analyst of international issues pointed to the reconstruction and renovation of old bases and the opening of new bases by Russia in the Arctic and the deployment of troops in this region and said “in the current situation, Russia’s military presence in the Arctic is stronger than the military presence of NATO member countries although the NATO countries that are neighbors of the Arctic are trying to take measures in every possible way to counter Russia’s territorial claims in the Arctic region, which has also been reported to the United Nations, and based on that, the Russians want to expand their continental shelf in the Arctic.
He stated that some Western countries neighboring the Arctic, such as Norway and Canada, have also sent their requests to the United Nations to expand their territories in the Arctic, and added that it seems that considering the appointment of an ambassador for the Arctic by the Biden government, in the next stage the United States, together with NATO, should significantly increase its military presence, especially in the regions claimed by Russia in the Arctic.
“This has strengthened the possibility of a military confrontation with Moscow in this strategic region, along with the concern of increased cooperation between China and Russia in the Arctic.”