Understanding a changing Arctic: FNI researchers explain Arctic geopolitics
How is the Arctic changing, and why does it matter? Through the podcast series The Circumpolar - Arctic geopolitics FNI researcher Serafima Andreeva interviews Arctic experts, including colleagues at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute, about the geopolitical developments reshaping the Arctic.
The podcasts feature guests from across the Arctic research community. This page highlights the episodes with FNI researchers. The episodes cover some of the major questions in FNI’s Arctic research: governance and cooperation, China’s role in the north, Russia’s changing position, security, shipping, critical minerals and great power politics.
Great power politics and Greenland
The Arctic is increasingly shaped by global power shifts, from U.S. interest in Greenland to the return of great power politics.
Why Care About Arctic Geopolitics?
Research Professor Andreas Østhagen provides an overview of the changing Arctic security landscape, including hybrid threats, Arctic exceptionalism and the growing role of non-Arctic states.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ItogdgjgxaA
Trump, Greenland, and the Changing Arctic Order
Research Professor Andreas Østhagen and FNI researcher Erdem Lamazhapov discuss why renewed U.S. interest in Greenland is ultimately about power, sovereignty and the changing rules of international politics rather than simply minerals or military bases.
https://www.fni.no/publications/trump-greenland-and-the-changing-arctic-order
The Great Power Concert Is Back. What Does It Mean for the Arctic?
Professor and Director Iver B. Neumann reflects on the return of great power politics, the weakening of multilateral institutions and what this means for the Arctic and the international order.
https://www.fni.no/publications/what-s-new-podcast-the-great-power-concert-is-back-what-does-it-mean-for-the-arctic
Arctic governance and cooperation
FNI researchers have long studied how Arctic institutions, legal frameworks and cooperation survive under political pressure.
Norway in the Arctic: The ears and eyes of the High North
Researcher Iselin Nemeth Winther explains why the Arctic is an integrated part of Norway, how security concerns have evolved since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and why fisheries cooperation with Russia remains essential.
https://www.fni.no/publications/norway-in-the-arctic-the-ears-and-eyes-of-the-high-north
Don’t bury the Arctic Council yet
In this solo episode, FNI researcher Serafima Andreeva draws on four years of research to explain how the Arctic Council survived Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, why cooperation did not collapse entirely, and what may threaten Arctic governance next.
https://www.fni.no/publications/don-t-bury-the-arctic-council-yet
EU in the Arctic: Soft Power or Overextension?
FNI Senior Researcher Andreas Raspotnik discusses how the European Union balances climate ambitions, critical minerals, Greenland and security while operating within the limits of its institutional powers.
https://www.fni.no/publications/eu-in-the-arctic-soft-power-or-overextension
China and the Arctic
China’s Arctic role is a growing focus in FNI’s research, from science and law to critical minerals, shipping and great power competition.
China in the Arctic
FNI Researcher Erdem Lamazhapov explores China’s Arctic strategy, from scientific cooperation and shipping to the Polar Silk Road and growing great power competition.
https://www.fni.no/publications/china-in-the-arctic
Why China plays by the rules in the Arctic
Senior Researcher Iselin Stensdal explores why international law has become China’s main avenue into Arctic governance, and why Beijing has strong incentives to work within existing legal frameworks despite growing geopolitical competition.
https://www.fni.no/publications/why-china-plays-by-the-rules-in-the-arctic
Critical minerals in the Arctic
Research Professor Gørild Heggelund explains how China’s decades-long strategy has given it a dominant position in critical minerals, and what this means for Arctic resource development, Indigenous communities and Europe’s search for alternative supply chains.
https://www.fni.no/publications/critical-minerals-in-the-arctic-podcast
Russia, security and Arctic shipping
Russia remains central to Arctic politics, energy and maritime activity, but sanctions and geopolitical rupture have changed the region’s operating conditions.
Arctic Shipping and the Northern Sea Route
Research Professor Arild Moe examines Russia’s ambitions for the Northern Sea Route, the impact of sanctions, misconceptions about Arctic shipping, and China’s cautious approach to investing in Russia’s Arctic transport corridor.
https://www.fni.no/publications/arctic-shipping-and-the-northern-sea-route
Is Russian oil benefiting from the war in Iran?
Research Professor Arild Moe discusses how higher oil prices may benefit Russia in the short term, while sanctions, investment challenges and changing LNG markets create growing long-term pressures for Russian Arctic energy.
https://www.fni.no/publications/is-russian-oil-benefiting-from-the-war-in-iran
Hosted by FNI researcher Serafima Andreeva, the podcast series brings together researchers and international experts to discuss the changing geopolitics of the Arctic. These episodes highlight research from the Fridtjof Nansen Institute while exploring the political, legal and strategic developments shaping the Arctic today.
