The Circumpolar

The Circumpolar

Author: Serafima Andreeva Language: English Episodes: 21
Hosted by researcher Serafima Andreeva, What's New? Arctic Geopolitics cuts through the noise to explore the complex forces shaping the far north. This isn't just about ice melting; it's about the intricate dance of power, policy, and people in a region undergoing rapid transformation. Each episode delves into the real-world implications of governance frameworks, security concerns, and the economic interests converging at the top of the world. You'll hear clear explanations of how international law applies in frozen seas, why military posturing is increasing, and what local communities stand to gain or lose. Supported by the expertise of the Fridtjof Nansen Institute and the Arctic Institute, the conversations are grounded in rigorous research yet remain accessible. Tuning into this podcast means moving beyond headlines to understand the foundational shifts in Arctic geopolitics. Serafima guides discussions with a range of experts, from scientists and diplomats to Indigenous leaders, providing a nuanced picture of a region at a crossroads. For anyone curious about global politics, climate strategy, or simply the future of one of the planet's most critical frontiers, this series offers essential context. The analysis is timely, the topics are pressing, and the insights will change how you view the map.
Episodes
Japan & South Korea in the Arctic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:50
Japan and South Korea became Arctic Council observers on at the same time in 2013, and they usually get filed alongside China as "Asian observers." But Tokyo and Seoul are not the same actor. Alma Karabeg is writing her…
Italy in the Arctic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:46
Recorded from Rome, we cover the question of what Italy really wants in the Arctic and how it can achieve it. Marco Dordoni, todays guest, is a PhD candidate at the Università per Stranieri di Perugia, where his doctoral…
Will the next war be hybrid? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:15
Hybrid threats are everywhere and nowhere. Cable cutting in the Baltic, drone incursions in Copenhagen and Oslo, the shadow fleet moving sanctioned oil under foreign flags, self-igniting parcels routed through DHL, GPS j…
Is Russian oil benefiting from the war in Iran? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:48
Arild Moe, research professor at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, joins Serafima Andreeva to unpack what the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East mean for Russia's Arctic energy sector. They discuss whether Russia is really…
Can we explore space without colonising the Earth? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:53
What does space sustainability actually mean, and why does it matter for the Arctic? In this episode of The Circumpolar, Serafima sits down with Tom Gabriel Royer, PhD candidate in space law at the University of Lapland,…
Geopolitics of Outer Space: competition, militarisation, cooperation? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:35
Is space governed well enough, and can we still prevent it from becoming a field of conflict or competition? Serafima sits down with Michael Byers, Professor of Political Science at the University of British Columbia, co…
France in the Arctic [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:33
France is not an Arctic state, but it has been present in the region longer than most. Dr. Florian Vidal, senior researcher at UiT's Center for Geopolitics, Peace and Security, joins us to map the shape of that presence…
Arctic Shipping and the Northern Sea Route [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:53
Research professor Arild Moe from the Fridtjof Nansen Institute joins us to discuss Russia's Arctic ambitions and the Northern Sea Route. How realistic are Russia's development plans? And what role is China really playin…
What can an artist do in the face of Arctic climate change? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:52
What can an artist actually do in the face of climate change? Ruth Maclennan is an artist, filmmaker, and researcher affiliated with the Scott Polar Research Institute in Cambridge. She has spen many years trying to answ…
Art and the Arctic: Who gets to tell the stories of the north? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:19
In this episode, Serafima speaks with Ekaterina Sharova, art historian, curator, and doctoral researcher at the University of Lapland. As the co-founder of the Arctic Art Forum, she has spent a decade building platforms…