Russia: Arctic Deployment Planned is a short explanation that Russia plans to build new military bases in the Arctic Circle. However, Russia wants to "preserve the Arctic as a zone of peace and cooperation." Underscoring the threat, Russia to build 6 nuclear subs with cruise missiles says that Russia will have these subs entering the fleet in 2011. The story's source talks first about protecting Russia from other nations' aircraft carriers and then the ability to strike important coastal facilities.
Russia sends troops to frozen north to claim Arctic resources adds that Russia is developing new legislation on the northwest passage. It authorizes Russia to block foreign military ships, levy fees on cargo, and require escort of vessels. Russia is planning to present its case for ownership of 1.2 million square kilometers at a United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea later this year.
Canada to respond tit for tat to Russian jet fighters tells that Canada will launch interceptors every time a Russian military plane skims Canadian airspace. Most recently on Feb 18 (the day after U.S. President Obama's visit), two Tupolev 95 bombers, known as Bears, approached Canadian airspace. Canada scrambled two F/A-18s to turn the Russians away.
This is different from the Cold War following World War II. That was a battle for ideology. This is simply wealth and power. Unlike India or China that needs additional resources for its growing population, Russia has a declining population. Its population falling, Russia beckons it children home tells that by 2050, the United Nations estimates the Russian population will decline by 18%.
The National Security Council's Global Trends 2025 does not believe a major confrontation will break out over the Arctic. The rationale is there are too many bordering countries - Canada, United States, Norway, Denmark, and Russia, for one nation to become aggressive. Mmm.
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