STRATEGIC OPPORTUNITY, SECURITY DILEMMA AND THE INTERPLAY OF INTERESTS: RUSSIA, CHINA AND THE US IN THE ARCTIC REGION SINCE 2014

Shireen  Mushtaq; Uswa  Sharif; Rida Fatima

doi:10.54690/margallapapers.27.1.152

Authors

Shireen Mushtaq Kinnaird College, Lahore
Uswa Sharif Kinnaird College, Lahore
Rida Fatima Kinnaird College, Lahore

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54690/margallapapers.27.1.152

Keywords:

Climate Change, Security Dilemma, Strategic Interests, Environmental Protection.

Abstract

The Northern Pole's polar ice is melting at an alarming rate due to climate change, significantly impacting the region's strategic landscape. The potential for economic growth and increasing security competition has led Russia, China and the US to ramp up their politico-military activities in the region. This research paper uses a qualitative method that explores the changing geopolitics of the region through a structural realist approach to examine the strategic interests and opportunities of these three countries in the Arctic. The study sheds light on how climate change has affected the region's geopolitical and geostrategic effects and how these countries compete for influence in the area, leading to mounting concerns and policy shifts. The paper shows how Russia takes a realist approach; China enhances its influence through a developmental approach, while the US tries to increase its power to counter the influence of Russia and China in the region. Additionally, the paper explains how the interplay of interests in the region is associated with the offence-defence balance and security dilemmas resulting from the neorealist behaviour of these states.

Bibliography Entry

Mushtaq, Shireen, Uswa Sharif and Rida Fatima. 2023. "Strategic Opportunity, Security Dilemma and the Interplay of Interests: Russia, China and the US in the Arctic Region Since 2014." Margalla Papers 27 (1): 67-81.

Author Biographies

Shireen Mushtaq, Kinnaird College, Lahore

Dr Shireen Mushtaq is an Assistant Professor at the Department of International Relations, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore.

Uswa Sharif , Kinnaird College, Lahore

Ms Uswa Sharif is graduate of the Department of International Relations, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore.

Rida Fatima, Kinnaird College, Lahore

Ms Rida Fatima is graduate of the Department of International Relations, Kinnaird College for Women University, Lahore.

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