Other

BBC World Service News Internet

The Compass v2 Podcast

The Compass

Documentaries

Factual: Life Stories

With ideas too big for a single episode, The Compass presents mini-series about society

Surprising stories from unusual places. With ideas too big for a single episode, The Compass presents mini-series about the environment and politics, culture and society.

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Australasia

BBC World Service

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

The Compass: The New Arctic: The New Arctic: Power

Factual

A family from the Tundra StineBarlindhaug

24/02/2021 GMT

The New Arctic: Power

The New Arctic

BBC World Service - The Compass, The New Arctic, The New Arctic: Power

As tensions rise between Russia, Nato and China in the Arctic is a new cold war likely?

As tensions rise between Russia, Nato and China in the Arctic is a new cold war developing?

Contrary to popular opinion, the Arctic is not a pristine, empty white desert. It is home to four million people distributed across eight distinct nation states: The USA, Canada, Kingdom of Denmark, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Russian Federation.

Allan Little looks at how the region is fast becoming fraught with geopolitical tensions. Despite all sides stressing this is still an area of low tension, Russia is building up its military presence and capabilities, with Nato countries responding with large-scale Arctic training exercises. China’s interest in the region is also creating new security concerns. But at a local level, we discover a very different story - Norwegian and Russian border communities maintain long-standing friendships.

Many argue that a new cold war is unlikely and geopolitics are overshadowing more urgent security issues facing the region. Future disputes are predicted over resource management and lucrative new shipping routes but not all-out war. And how important is the Arctic Council as the primary forum for dialogue and inclusion of indigenous voices, who must play a key role in the future of the region.

(Photo: A family in the Tundra. Credit: Stine Barlindhaug)

The Compass: The New Arctic

Allan Little investigates how the climate crisis is impacting Arctic communities.

Global warming is happening twice as fast in the Arctic than in any other place on earth. As the ice melts, economic opportunities are increasing - from shipping lanes, to resource extraction and tourism - prompting security risks and geopolitical tensions. Allan Little investigates how the climate crisis and increased economic activity is impacting the communities who call this extreme environment their home  - which,  contrary to popular belief, is far from a pristine, empty white desert.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Compass

The New Arctic

The New Arctic: Power

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC World Service News Internet

About BBC World Service