Senior Researcher+47 47330349
In this project we argue that to understand geopolitical challenges in a changing Arctic, we need to understand the dynamics of emerging spatial disputes over maritime space and related marine resources.
The past decade's rapid technological changes and the growing preoccupation of states with maritime space are prompting a rethink of how we view conflicts and dispute management at sea. Nowhere is this more evident than in the Arctic. Examples include overlapping continental-shelf claims, marine protected areas, the status of Arctic sea lanes, and the distribution of transboundary fish stocks.
However, research on maritime disputes tends to be case-oriented and is rarely seen in relation to inter-state conflicts, international law and political geography. Moreover, maritime disputes have often been dismissed as peripheral in the conflict literature or treated on a par with disputes on land.
What determines the emergence and evolution of disputes over marine resources and maritime space in the Arctic? What factors prompt changes in these dynamics? What can this tell us about conflict management and resolution more generally in the maritime domain?
In this project we examine disputes within several jurisdictional areas of coastal-state ocean space: exclusive economic zones, continental shelves and the high sea. Combining various branches of social studies - international relations, international law, political geography and conflict studies - we take an innovative approach to explaining the geopolitical and geoeconomic dimensions of emerging maritime disputes among Arctic states.
The findings will not only have relevance for the Arctic, but also for other maritime domains experiencing rapid environmental, economic and political change.
Project period: 2020-2023
| WP I – EEZ | WP II – Continental Shelf | WP III – High Seas |
|---|---|---|
| Lead: Dr Andreas Østhagen (FNI/HNC)
Prof. Arild Moe (FNI) Dr Svein Rottem (FNI/Bjørknes) Prof. Clive Schofield (WMU/ANCORS) Ms Emily Tsui (UofT/TAI) Cases:
2: Maritime boundarie1: North Atlantic/Barents fisheries | Lead: Prof. Øystein Jensen (FNI)
Dr Signe V. Busch (UiT: Arctic Univ. of Norway) Dr Natalia Andreassen (High North Center) Cases:
2: Svalbard Zones1: CLCS claims |
Dr Christian Prip (FNI) Cases:
2: Arctic Ocean Fisheries1: Arctic MPA |
| Synthesis track I – Arctic disputes | Synthesis track II – Ocean governance and spatiality |
|---|---|
Lead: Dr Svein V. Rottem (Fridtjof Nansen Institute)
Prof. Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv (UiT: Arctic Univ. of Norway)Dr Berit Kristoffersen (UiT: Arctic Univ. of Norway) Prof. Frode Mellemvik (High North Center) Dr Dmitriy Tulupov (Saint-Petersburg State Univ.) Dr. Mike Sfraga (Wilson Center) | Lead: Dr Andreas Østhagen (Fridtjof Nansen Institute)
Prof. Michael Byers (Univ. British Columbia)Prof. Philip Steinberg (Univ. Durham) Dr Kimberley Peters (Univ. Liverpool) Prof. Olav Schram Stokke (FNI/UiO) |
FNI PROJECT LEADER
FNI PARTICIPANTS
Research Professor+47 92696167
Senior Researcher+45 27245917
Research Professor+47 47478351
Senior Researcher+47 90021931
Research Professor+47 90123004
PARTNERS
FUNDING
- The Research Council of Norway
BOOKS
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Edward Elgar, 2023, 138 p.
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Palgrave Pivot, 2020, 99 p.
PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLES AND CHAPTERS
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In Østhagen (ed), Norway's Arctic Policy: Geopolitics, Security and Identity in the High North. Edward Elgar, 2023, pp. 23-37
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In Østhagen (ed), Norway's Arctic Policy: Geopolitics, Security and Identity in the High North. Edward Elgar, 2023, pp. 1-15
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Journal of Contemporary European Studies, published online 20.03.2023. DOI: 10.1080/14782804.2023.2193735
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Canadian Naval Review, Vol 18, No 1, 2022, pp. 37-40.
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Internasjonal Politikk, Vol 81, No 1, 2023, pp. 60-76. In Norwegian.
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In Olav Schram Stokke, Andreas Østhagen and Andreas Raspotnik (eds), Marine Resources, Climate Change and International Management Regimes. Bloomsbury, 2022, pp. 273-295
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In Olav Schram Stokke, Andreas Østhagen and Andreas Raspotnik (eds), Marine Resources, Climate Change and International Management Regimes. Bloomsbury, 2022, pp. 197-212
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In Olav Schram Stokke, Andreas Østhagen and Andreas Raspotnik (eds), Marine Resources, Climate Change and International Management Regimes. Bloomsbury, 2022, pp. 137-152
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In Anastasia Likhacheva (ed), Arctic Fever: Political, Economic and Environmental Aspects. Palgrave Macmillan, 2022, pp. 277-304
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RUSI Journal, Vol 167, No 1, published online 15.03.2022. DOI: 10.1080/03071847.2022.2036229
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The Polar Journal, published online 23.02.2022, 20 p. DOI: 10.1080/2154896X.2021.2007460
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The Polar Journal, Vol 11, No 1, 2021, pp. 1-21.
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Polar Record, Vol 57, published online 18.03.2021. DOI: 10.1017/S0032247420000492
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Polar Geography, published online 28.02.2021, 20 p. DOI: 10.1080/1088937X.2021.1881645
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Ocean & Coastal Management, Vol 205. Published online 13 February 2021, 11 p. DOI: 10.1016/j.ocecoaman.2021.105535
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In Wilfrid Greaves and Whitney Lackenbauer (eds), Breaking Through: Understanding Sovereignty and Security in the Circumpolar Arctic. University of Toronto Press, 2021, pp. 168-184.
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In K. Spohr, Davis S. Hamilton and Jason Moyer (eds), The Arctic and World Order. Brookings Institution Press, 2020, pp. 119-142.
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In K. Spohr, Davis S. Hamilton and Jason Moyer (eds), The Arctic and World Order. Brookings Institution Press, 2020, pp. 357-378.
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Internasjonal Politikk, Vol 78, No 4, 2020, pp. 466-477. In Norwegian.
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Internasjonal Politikk, No 4, Vol 78, 2020, pp. 511-522. In Norwegian.
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The Arctic Yearbook, 2020, pp. 43-59
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Arktika i Sever, No 40, 2020, pp. 183-205. In Russian.
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In Tomas Heidar (ed), New Knowledge and Changing Circumstances in the Law of the Sea. Leiden/Boston, Brill/Nijhoff, 2020, pp. 232-246
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Marine Policy, Vol 120, October 2020, 9 p.
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In J. Weber (ed), Handbook on Geopolitics and Security in the Arctic. Springer, 2020, pp. 171-191.
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International Relations, published online 13.05.2020, 21 p. DOI: 10.1177/0047117820920915
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In Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv, Marc Lanteigne Horatio Godfrey Sam-Aggrey (eds), Routledge Handbook of Arctic Security, Routledge, 2020, pp. 221-234
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In Svein Vigeland Rottem and Ida Folkestad Soltvedt (eds), Arctic Governance: Norway, Russia and Asia. Volume 3. I.B. Tauris, 2020, pp. 187-209.
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In Gunhild Hoogensen Gjørv, Marc Lanteigne and Horatio Godfrey Sam-Aggrey (eds), Routledge Handbook of Arctic Security. Routledge, 2020, pp. 283-294.
OTHER PUBLICATIONS
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The Arctic Institute, June 1, 2023.
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Dagens Næringsliv, June 1, 2023. In Norwegian.
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The European Centre of Excellence for Countering Hybrid Threats, Hybrid CoE Paper 18, May 2023
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Forskning.no, January 31, 2023. In Norwegian.
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In Katarina Tracz (ed), Stronger Together - Sweden and Finland on the Road Toward NATO. Stockholm Free World Forum & Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, 2022, pp. 101-134.
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Dagens næringsliv, December 1, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Altinget.no, September 28, 2022. In Norwegian. English version here.
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Georgetown Journal of International Affairs, September 16, 2022.
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Presentation at the "Arctic Ocean Governance: Cooperation after Conflict?" seminar at the Belfer Center, Harvard University, 11.05.2022
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Dagens Næringsliv, August 11, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Science Norway, May 23, 2022.
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Aftenposten, May 20, 2022. In Norwegian.
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The Arctic Institute, April 26, 2022.
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World Politics Review, March 29, 2022.
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Forskning.no, March 12, 2022. In Norwegian.
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In Luis Cunha (ed), III Seminário do Centro do Atlântico. Instituto da Defesa Nacional (Portugal), 2022, pp. 27-32.
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Turkish Policy, 7 February 2022.
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Inside Over, 4 January 2022.
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Dagens næringsliv, 29 October 2021. In Norwegian.
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Aftenposten, 22 October 2021. In Norwegian.
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Ung.forskning.no, 29 September 2021. In Norwegian
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A KAS/Fridtjof Nansen Institute joint publication. 6 September 2021, 154 p.
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In Duncan Depledge and P. Whitney Lackenbauer (eds), On Thin Ice: Perspectives on Arctic Security. North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN), 2021, pp. 23-34.
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Polar Points, No 3, 10.03.2021
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NRK Ytring, 19.01.21. In Norwegian.
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Aftenposten, 28.12.20. In Norwegian.
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Den Norske Atlanterhavskomité, 16.12.20. In Norwegian
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Internasjonal Politikk, Vol 78, No 4, 2020, pp. 445-455
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The Arctic Institute, 02.12.2020
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High North News, 12.11.20. In Norwegian.
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Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) Report on Geopolitics and Neglected Arctic Spaces. 02.11.20
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Aftenposten, 29.10.20. In Norwegian.
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In A. Orsini and Jean-Frederic Morin (eds), Essential Concepts of Global Environmental Governance. Routledge, 2020
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Konrad Adenauer Stiftung Stockholm
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High North News, 30 June 2020. In Norwegian.
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Morgenbladet, 21 May 2020. In Norwegian.
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The Security Times, February 2020.
RELATED RESEARCH AREA(S)
Event
NEWS
- Andreas Østhagen on BBC: “US discovers Arctic geopolitics”
- FNI prepares for Arctic Frontiers
- Workshop on Svalbard and Arctic geopolitics in Longyearbyen
- – Vårt strategiske hovedansvarsområde skal være i nord
- Andreas Østhagen addresses the Canadian Senate
- Stortingsbesøk til Polhøgda
- Webinar recording: The High North and foreign policy
- Svalbard and the Surrounding Ocean Spaces – New Foreign Policy Challenges for Norway?
IN MEDIA
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Beyond Borders: Navigating the High Seas and Arctic Governance
Radio Arctic (podcast), January 30, 2024.
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Cold war for the Arctic as Russia and Nato race to militarise the high north
Inews, September 30, 2023.
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Russland vil bruke den nordlige sjørute hele året: − Får sterke atomisbrytere ("Russia to Utilize Northern Sea Route Year-Round)
VG, September 23, 2023. In Norwegian.
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Melting ice leads to new cold war in the Arctic Circle
RTE, July 2, 2023.
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USA sender diplomat til Tromsø (U.S. to Establish Diplomatic Station in Tromsø)
NRK Dagsnytt 18 (TV/radio), June 1, 2023. In Norwegian.
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Blinken: USA etablerer diplomatisk kontor i Tromsø (The US establishes a diplomatic office in Tromsø)
NRK Troms og Finnmark, June 1, 2023. In Norwegian.
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Kokepunkt Svalbard: Et storpolitisk kokepunkt
NRK (radio), May 29, 2023. In Norwegian.
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Verdens største krigsskip i Oslo: – Utfordringen er å avskrekke, men samtidig ikke provosere (The world's largest warship in Oslo)
Altinget.no, May 27, 2023. In Norwegian.
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A US Aircraft Carriers Visits Oslo in a Show of Strength Aimed at Russia
New York Times, May 25, 2023.
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– Samarbeidet i Arktisk råd er dypt forankret i de arktiske statenes forskningsmiljøer (- The collaboration in the Arctic Council is deeply rooted in the Arctic states' research environments)
High North News, May 10, 2023. In Norwegian.
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Slik ble seiersdagen markert på norsk jord - Har aldri skjedd før ('Never happened before')
Dagbladet, May 9, 2023. In Norwegian.
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– Et ledd i den negative sikkerhetspolitiske spiralen i nord (Part of the negative security policy spiral in the north)
NRK Troms og Finnmark, April 27, 2023. In Norwegian.
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Generalkonsulen i Barentsburg kan være russisk agent (The Consul General in Barentsburg may be a Russian agent)
NRK Dagsnytt 18 (TV/radio), April 26, 2023. In Norwegian.
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The Arctic Council and it's political significance
BBC World Service Weekend, April 16, 2023.
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Geopolitical changes in the Arctic
BBC World Service Weekend, April 16, 2023.
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BBC World Service Weekend: the construction of wind turbines on reindeer pastures and other issues
BBC, April 16, 2023.
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Regjeringen presenterer Arktisk råd-prioriteringer (The Norwegian government presents its Arctic Council priorities)
NRK Dagsnytt 18 (TV/radio), March 28, 2023. In Norwegian.
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挪威雪蟹捕撈嚴格設限 歐盟成員國乾瞪眼 (Norwegian snow crab fishing is strictly limited, EU member states dry eyes)
Taiwan TV News Network/ Yahoo! News Taiwan, March 21, 2023. In Chinese.
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Høyesterett: Norge har enerett på Svalbards kontinentalsokkel (Supreme Court: Norway has exclusive rights to Svalbard's continental shelf)
NRK, March 20, 2023. In Norwegian.
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In case affecting oil, Norway Supreme Court says EU ships cannot fish Arctic snow crab
Reuters, March 20, 2023.
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The Arctic Is the New Spot for NATO and Russia to Flex Their Military Muscle
BNN Bloomberg, March 13, 2023.
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Forsvarssjefen fikk spesiell gave av russisk flåtesjef: – Bruker den for å huske (Heavy weighters in for the Kirkenes conference)
TV2, March 2, 2023. In Norwegian.
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USA etablerer seg i Arktis med egen ambassadør (US appoints its first Arctic Ambassador)
NRK Helgemorgen (TV/radio), February 18, 2023. In Norwegian.
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Russia starts renting out apartments to anyone at Norway’s Svalbard archipelago
The Barents Observer, February 16, 2023.
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The United States is preparing a defence strategy to counter growing Russian presence in the Arctic
BBC World Service, Weekend (radio) February 11, 2023
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Is an Arctic ‘Cold War’ coming? How climate change and the war in Ukraine are driving tensions
Grid, February 9, 2023.
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How has the Russia-Ukraine war disrupted science?
The Guardian: Science Weekly (podcast), February 7, 2023.
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Mange utfordringer for Arktisk råd (Bumpy road ahead for the Arctic council)
NRK Nyhetsmorgen (TV/radio), February 2, 2023. In Norwegian.
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Arctic Council Chairmanship: “Norway Knows How to Do It”
High North News, January 31, 2023.
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Mye på spill for Norge i nord (Much at stake for Norway in the north)
NRK Helgemorgen (TV/radio), January 29, 2023. In Norwegian.
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‘A ginormous can of worms’: How a fight over snow crabs could lead to a win for oil drilling access
CNN, January 27, 2023.
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Avgjørende rettssak om snøkrabbe i Høyesterett (Trial tests Norway's control of Svalbard resources)
Dagsnytt 18, NRK (TV/radio), January 25, 2023. In Norwegian.
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Rettsak om Svalbardtraktatens omfang (Court case on the scope of the Svalbard Treaty)
NRK Nyhetsmorgen (TV/radio) , Januar 25, 2023. In Norwegian.
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Svært viktig rettssak for Norge – risikerer å måtte dele store verdier(Very important court case for Norway - risks having to share large assets)
NRK, January 24, 2023. In Norwegian.
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Suverenitet, historie og stormaktspolitikk på Svalbard med Andreas Østhagen
Konflikt (podcast), January 22, 2023. In Norwegian.
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Putin tvinges til mer samarbeid med Kina om Arktis: – Vil komplisere stormaktsspillet (Putin is forced to cooperate more with China on the Arctic: 'Will complicate the great power game')
NRK, January 21, 2023. In Norwegian.
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For the Arctic, the war in Ukraine means a geopolitical reshuffle
Le Monde, January 17, 2023. French version here.
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Is Russia a greater or lesser threat to Norway than before?
Science Norway, December 20, 2022.
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A Battle for the Arctic Is Underway. And the U.S. Is Already Behind
Politico, December 17, 2022.
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Intensive High North Diplomacy at Work to Ensure the Future of the Arctic Council
High North News, December 7, 2022.
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The race for the Arctic is ramping up. Here’s why.
Deutsche Welle, November 25, 2022.
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Forholdet mellom Norge og Russland på Svalbard (Norway and Russia on Svalbard)
NRK Dagsnytt18 (TV/radio), October 13, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Kampen om Svalbard: Tyrkia ser nordover (The battle over Svalbard: Turkey looks north)
NRK Dagsrevyen, October 12, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Tyrkia vil signere Svalbardtraktaten: – Et tegn på stormaktsambisjoner, sier forsker (Turkey wants to sign the Svalbard Treaty)
NRK, October 12, 2022. In Norwegian.
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New U.S. Arctic strategy focuses on geopolitical rivalries and climate change
Arctic Today, October 7, 2022.
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– For lite debatt om de særskilte utfordringene som Svalbard medfører ("Not Enough Debate About the Specific Challenges on Svalbard")
High North News, October 5, 2022. In Norwegian. English version here.
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From Ukraine to the Arctic: Russia's Capabilities in the Region and the War's Impact on the North
High North News, September 22, 2022. Norwegian version here.
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First US Arctic Ambassador as the Region Climbs on the DC Political Agenda
High North News, August 30, 2022.
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Khủng hoảng Ukraine phả hơi lạnh vào kinh tế Bắc Cực (Ukraine crisis throws chill into Arctic economy)
VN Express, August 10, 2022. In Vietnamese.
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The Geo Interview: The Arctic’s great game
The Geostrata, July 12, 2022.
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Delelinjeavtalen: Norge tause: - Fornuftig (Reasonable for Norway to remain silent conserning the maritime delimitation treaty)
Dagbladet Børsen, July 11, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Russland truer med å si opp delelinjeavtalen med Norge. Hvorfor er det viktig? (Russia threatens to terminate the maritime delimitation treaty with Norway. Why is it important?)
Aftenposten, July 6, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Russland vil si opp grenseavtale (Russia wants to terminate boundary agreement)
NRK Troms (Radio), July 6, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Russland truer delelinjeavtalen (Russia threatens the delimitation agreement)
NRK Nyhetsmorgen (TV/radio), July 6, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Arctic Shipping Routes Are Feeling the Heat
EOS Science News, Jult 6, 2022.
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Russlands utenrikskomite bes vurdere delelinjeavtalen (Russia’s foreign affairs committee is asked to evaluate the delimitation agreement)
NRK Dagsnytt atten (TV/radio), July 5, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Vurderer å skrote avtale: Avliver «myte»: - Riv ruskende galt (Dispelling the "myth" concerning the maritime delimitation treaty)
Dagbladet Børsen, July 5, 2022. In Norwegian.
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How war in Ukraine is changing the Arctic
The Economist, July 4, 2022.
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Guerre en Ukraine : épreuve de force entre Moscou et Oslo autour de l’archipel arctique du Svalbard (Moscow and Oslo tussle over Arctic archipelago of Svalbard)
Le Monde, July 1, 2022. In French. English version here.
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Rosatom ligger an til å få fullt ansvar for det som skjer på NSR, sier forsker ( Rosatom is to be given full responsibility for what happens at NSR, says researcher)
High North News, May 24, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Svalbard får unntak fra nye Russland-sanksjoner (Svalbard gets exemption from new Russia sanctions)
High North News, April 29, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Scotland would be 'high-priority' target for Putin in a world war
Wales Online, March 27, 2022.
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Iskalde rivaler (Superpowers building up in the High North)
Klassekampen, March 26, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Scotland a ‘high priority target’ for Russian attack
The Times, March 26, 2022.
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USA i nordområdene etter Ukraina (USA in the High North after Ukraine)
NRK – Helgemorgen (TV/Radio), March 20, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Samler 30 000 soldater fra 27 NATO-land (Gathers 30,000 soldiers from 27 NATO countries)
TV2, March 11, 2022. In Norwegian.
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Soldater synlig på gaten i Sverige: – Putin spiller et høyt spill (Soldiers in the streets in Sweden)
NRK.no. 16 January 2022. In Norwegian.
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Russiske krigsskip i Østersjøen (Russian naval vessels in the Baltic Sea)
NRK Helgemorgen (TV/Radio), 15 January 2022. In Norwegian.
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Matières premières, voie maritime : pour Moscou, l'Arctique est devenue une priorité (Raw materials, maritime route: for Moscow, the Arctic has become a priority)
Les Echos, 27 October 2021. In French.
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Arctique : les pays nordiques tentent de contenir les ambitions russes (Arctic: Nordic countries try to contain Russian ambitions)
Les Echos, 27 October 2021. In French.
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Utenriksministermøte mellom Huitfeldt og Lavrov
Dagsnytt Atten NRK 1 og NRK P2, 25 October 2021. In Norwegian.
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Norge møter Russland: utenrikstoppmøte i Tromsø og nordområdepolitikk (Norway meets Russia)
Helgemorgen NRK1 og NRK P2, 24 October 2021. In Norwegian.
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Russian Arctic Council chairmanship: "Will Welcome More Active Engagement of the Observer States"
High North News, 10 March 2021.
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Norge og EU i heftig krangel om fisken rundt Svalbard (Norway and EU in heated dispute on Svalbard fisheries)
NRK, 17 February 2021. In Norwegian.
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Norway objects to the EU’s granting cod quotas in Svalbard waters
High North News, 16 February 2021.
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How are maritime boundaries determined?
The Economist, 4 February 2021.
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Vil Norge gjøre som Biden i Arktis? (Will Norway follow Biden in the Arctic?)
NRK Radio Finnmarkssendinga. 10.12.20. In Norwegian.
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Biden, vern av Arktis og Norge (Biden wants to slow down oil drilling in the Arctic)
Helgemorgen på NRK1 og NRK P2. 12.12.20, In Norwegian.
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Arctique, la guerre des pôles (The Arctic, war of the poles)
Salto.fr, 03.12.20. TV documentary in French.
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TAI Bookshelf Podcast – Coast Guards Politics in the Arctic with Andreas Østhagen
thearcticinstitute.org, 28.10.20.
- L’Alce e il dragone: Il complicato rapporto tra Cina e Norvegia ('The moose and the dragon: The complicated relationship between China and Norway')
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U.S. to Speed Up Its Icebreaker Program, May Develop Nuclear Arctic Vessels
High North News, 11 June 2020.
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Utenrikspolitikken som forsvant i isen ('The foreign policy that disappeared in the ice')
NUPIpodden, 25 May 2020. In Norwegian.
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Militærøvelse i Norskehavet ('Military exercise in the Norwegian Sea')
NRK TV, 5 May 2020. In Norwegian.
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A Deep-Diving Sub. A Deadly Fire. And Russia’s Secret Undersea Agenda.
The New York Times, 20 April 2020.
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Arktis smelter. Slik bidrar det til maktkamp på Norges dørstokk. ('The Arctic is melting. This is how it's contributing to a power struggle on Norway's doorstep')
Aftenposten.no, 19 February 2020. In Norwegian
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