Research, ideas, and leadership for a more secure, peaceful world

Flags of the Arctic Council member states.
Collection

Arctic Governance, Geopolitics, and Security

For decades, the Arctic built a reputation as a unique and innovative governance space that promoted peace and cooperation between states, Arctic Indigenous Peoples, and public and private institutions. However, rapid climate change and the spillover effects of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine have created risk, uncertainty, and instability, including to the safety of the region’s peoples and environments. The Belfer Center's Arctic Initiative assesses changing geopolitical and security dynamics in the region to contribute to effective governance mechanisms.

We can expect that the tensions that now exist in the region will be prolonged and chronic. This means that we will need to adapt, evolve, and find new modes of cooperation.

Jennifer Spence
Presentation at Massey College

The Arctic Council

We develop practical recommendations for facilitating working-level cooperation through the Arctic Council, which remains the preeminent forum for regional cooperation despite tensions created by Russia's war in Ukraine.

China in the Arctic

We facilitate informed debate and decision-making among the Arctic states by providing evidence-based assessments of China's interests, intentions, and activities in the Arctic.

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In and of the Arctic: Security in Iceland

by Ómarsdóttir, Silja Bára and Guðbjörg Ríkey Th. Hauksdóttir
Books
from Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc.
The Icelandic parliament building in Reykjavik.