The Arctic: A Strategic Battleground for Bad Faith Actors

A recent assessment by the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has highlighted the potential risks posed by resource extraction projects, increasing ship traffic, and the building of ports in the Arctic. This information, obtained by The Canadian Press through access to information, sheds light on how bad faith actors could exploit these avenues to advance their interests in the region.

Political science professor Stéphane Roussel from the École nationale d’administration publique warns of the looming threats in the Arctic. He points out the significant presence of Russian military forces in the area, suggesting that they could potentially seize territory on remote Canadian islands if they desired to do so.

Roussel also underscores a more immediate concern closer to home – the potential for the new American administration to challenge Canadian claims in the Arctic, particularly regarding the Northwest Passage. This maritime route, which traverses Canada’s Arctic Archipelago from north of Baffin Island to the Beaufort Sea near Alaska, is a key point of contention.

During the 11th Arctic Council ministerial meeting in Finland in 2019, former U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo accused Canada of asserting illegitimate claims to the Northwest Passage as internal waters. This accusation has raised concerns that the Trump administration may seek to revive conflicts and openly dispute Canadian sovereignty over the region.

With geopolitical tensions rising and competition for Arctic resources escalating, it is crucial for Canada to bolster its presence and assert its territorial claims in the region. The Arctic is not only a strategic battleground for bad faith actors but also a critical arena for safeguarding Canadian interests and sovereignty.