Asian engagement in the Arctic: Evolving strategies and activities of Asian Arctic Council observer states

Asian engagement in the Arctic: Evolving strategies and activities of Asian Arctic Council observer states

Author: Eric Paglia September 8, 2020 Duration: 28:40
The admission of China, India, Japan, Singapore and South Korea as observers to the Arctic Council in 2013 seemed a turning point in contemporary Arctic history, with the rapidly increasing engagement of Asian states appearing to signal the arrival of globalization as well as a new era of geopolitics in the High North. But how has it so far played out on the ground and on the ice? To analyze the evolving strategies and activities of the five Asian observer states over the past seven years, Polar Geopolitics is joined by Dr. Mia Bennett, associate professor at the University of Hong Kong and founder of the Cryopolitics blog. Dr. Bennett is an expert on Asian activity in the Arctic, and is a co-author of the newly-published edited volume “Observing the Arctic: Asia in the Arctic Council and Beyond” (Edward Elgar, 2020).

Hosted by Eric Paglia, Polar Geopolitics-Arctic and Antarctic analysis digs into the complex forces shaping the world's most remote frontiers. This isn't just a geography lesson; it's a deep exploration of how power, policy, and environmental crisis collide at the poles. Each conversation moves beyond headlines to examine the underlying strategic currents, from the scramble for critical raw materials in Greenland to the delicate governance of the Antarctic Treaty System. You'll hear leading researchers and policymakers unpack the realities of great power competition, where the interests of the United States, China, and Russia intersect with melting ice and emerging sea routes. The discussions regularly grapple with the role of institutions like the Arctic Council, the nuances of science diplomacy, and even the unsettling potential for hybrid warfare in these fragile environments. By applying a sharp geopolitical lens, the podcast reveals how climate change and national ambition are inextricably linked, making the polar regions central to understanding our global future. Tune in for thoughtful, expert-driven analysis that connects distant ice caps to the core issues of international affairs.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 89

Polar Geopolitics - Arctic and Antarctic analysis
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