At the turn of the century, the Arctic gained global attention due to climate change and the opportunities it created—resource exploration and new shipping routes between Europe and Asia. While Arctic states responded by strengthening governance, non-Arctic actors also showed growing interest. Some viewed this as a geopolitical "scramble," but early cooperation through legal frameworks led to the idea of "Arctic exceptionalism."

Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine challenged this notion, increasing military activity in the region. While no direct conflict has occurred, Arctic geopolitics is now shaped by both cooperation and rising security concerns. The Arctic is increasingly seen not just as a regional issue but as part of global strategic competition.

Despite being at the center of international interest, local Arctic communities are often left out of broader Arctic political discussions. However, their strategic importance—through ports, resources, climate science, and security—has grown. Local actors are also seeking a greater voice. The Arctic Mayors’ Forum, founded in 2019, aims to strengthen local political influence, and in 2024, Greenland published its own Foreign, Security, and Defence Policy, pushing for stronger representation in Arctic governance.

This essay explores how the local level—the regions most affected by international Arctic interest—engages in governance and responds to geopolitical developments, particularly in security. Finally, it examines whether local actors can play a larger role in Arctic security discussions.