Frozen Claims and Contemporary Geopolitics: History and Heritage in Antarctica

Frozen Claims and Contemporary Geopolitics: History and Heritage in Antarctica

Author: Eric Paglia May 27, 2019 Duration: 19:15
In a continent recognized as a global commons, yet where seven states hold frozen claims and others are eager to be seen as stakeholders, history and the cultural heritage remains of earlier expeditions to Antarctica are deeply entangled in the geopolitics of the southern polar region. On this episode, Polar Geopolitics speaks with three polar historians and cultural heritage experts—Dag Avango, Lize-Marie van der Watt and Peder Roberts—who explain these complex interlinkages that strongly influence contemporary activity and the governance of Antarctica. The evolution and importance of the Antarctic humanities is also discussed in the wake of major conference on the subject in Ushuaia, Argentina.

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
Podcast Episodes
Resilient Regime at 60: An international law perspective on the ATS [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:53
International law expert Dr. Jeffrey McGee makes the case that the Antarctic Treaty System is a resilient regime that 60 years after its signing remains a shining light of global governance for the area south of 60° Sout…
Hot Take on Trump's Greenland Gambit [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:46
Reports of Donald Trump's interest in the U.S. buying Greenland from Denmark - without doubt the most unexpected and outrageous Arctic news story in recent memory - has attracted ridicule and rapidly morphed into a diplo…
The Arctic Council: Indispensable international regime? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:21
In part two of the interview with Polar Geopolitics, Dr. Annika Nilsson shares her insights into the history and inner-workings of the Arctic Council, including its role in promoting peace, enhancing environmental knowle…