Data cable crossroad or circumpolar chokepoint: The geopolitics of subsea infrastructure in the Arctic

Data cable crossroad or circumpolar chokepoint: The geopolitics of subsea infrastructure in the Arctic

Author: Eric Paglia November 10, 2023 Duration: 48:59
The deployment of subsea data cables across different marine areas of the circumpolar North has become a significant development in discussions of Arctic geopolitics. Meanwhile security concerns over subsea infrastructure have become heightened by recent incidents involving the disruption and destruction of energy pipelines and telecommunication cables in the Baltic Sea. Nima Khorrami, a research associate at the Arctic Institute, joins the podcast to explain why data cables are crucial for the economic development of the Arctic, and how the expansion of subsea infrastructure entails the need for an enhanced security presence in the region, perhaps on the part of NATO. The episode also includes a discussion on the recent announcement that Dubai-based DP World will partner with Russia in developing the Northern Sea Route, and whether this signals a new interest in the Arctic among middle eastern countries such as the United Arab Emirates.

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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