Arctic Sovereignty Demonstrations:
Canadian & Russian Planes Soar Overhead During Harper Arctic Tour
I have done some study on 'the arctic problem' over the last year, and while I am by no means any form of expect, as an ever astute autodidact, I have indeed made some measure of hobby from the internet resources on the topic. Including cartographic and historical studies utilizing some of the most advanced research technology available in the public(ish) sphere.
Tonight there was another confrontational although non-combative launch of aircraft from both the Canadian and Russian air forces. The Russian economy is also wasting no time with its efforts to exploit relations with Europe which are made more expedient through the global-warming phenomenon of receding ice-sheets along the mythical north-east passage [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_asiapacific/view/1076993/1/.html].
Regarding the air scrambles, I would assume Russia is doing routine patrols along their cargo routes and other assets, but it is highly possible that there are misleading readings coming to both sides because of electromagnetic interference caused by aural-electrical events in the region. It is imperative that the Arctic should be immediately declared a 'no weapons zone' stretching hundreds of miles from the north pole, outward towards the nations preexisting 200km maritime borders. Without this sort of gesture of trust it is highly likely that the American-inspired Canadian forces will make a preemptive or super-aggressive defensive maneuver. Of course the same possibility exists of the Russian stations one would suppose. There are indeed a great number of natural treasures in the north, but the further accumulation of material treasures is really not at issue in the modern world. There might indeed be vast untapped petrol resources, but is that something that we NEED to pursue with the same urgency as a concern for the very sources of the supposed good fortune of receding ice sheets ? My central argument here is that the arctic, in fact, is unclaimed in any sort of multilaterally endorsed way. For many, many years the area was considered desolate and too mysterious to really be taken very seriously at any rate (except for the affections of a few like Mowat).
Because the legal and logistical and scientific problems are all quite new to the human experience, I think it is justly deserving of new mechanisms for resolution. Much like with the laws which internationally prohibit the weaponization of space; if we do not adhere to these idealistic principals we risk dooming the future generations to unending strife through the servitude to superior powers who have the ability to conduct wars without end as humanity spreads across the solar system. Our alternative is to take the lessons of past armed conflicts seriously, not to disregard the most hopeful wishes of our elders and veterans. today it is very common to consider a world full of war and the great potential for mass destruction which exists in the world (as we are reminded every day through food recalls and reports of wars and rumors of wars) but at the end of the day I am certain it is a great affront to the generations that believed they were already engaged in the decisive and somewhat mythically inspired battles for good and evil. If these were not the perceptions involved in the foundational ideology of WW2 it is not likely the citizens would have participated.
Now in the modern era we are prepared to immediately engage each other in nearly open warfare in order to protect our supposed claims to nothing more than mineral or otherwise physical resource. I feel strongly that there should be several immediate actions undertaken by the united nations on the matter. The arctic council should be called in for a special preparatory session where the issues outlined in this article (among others of course) might be formally addressed in a public and important way. If the resources in the arctic are so valuable and the importance of securing or enforcing supposed lines of division is worth a mans life, shouldn't he at least be confident that this is completely necessary, that the other elements involved are hostile and that a threat exists beyond the prospect of a two mile flight-plan miscalculation or magnetic storm interference.
On the other hand with the teaming up of Russia with Iran to produce nuclear energy the world does indeed always feel a little less certain these days. It would appear we are on the verge of some sort of changes, yet it also appears that some sort is about due by now. I just hope it is positive. On late night radio I heard a good quote one time by a fellow who asked "what do you think the future will be more like, star trek or madmax" ... one person I asked this question to told me 'both'.
Irregardless, this whole blog is mostly a plug for my YouTube videos, attached. the provide background on some of the resources and legal situations involved, but there is more and more cropping up in the news about it all the time.
