Global Geopolitical Shift: Balance of Power in the Arctic

Introduction Considering today's conditions, the international arena seems to be anarchic. In order to ensure the anarchic structuring order, there are regional and international organizational structures. There is a new area of this anarchic structuring and balance of power issue: The Arctica. When we examine the relations of the states in the Arctic region or with interest in the region; Since there is no higher authority to decide on the issues in the region, it is observed that the relations of the states in the region are carried out in an anarchic system. According to Waltz, the international system is anarchic and decentralized. In this anarchic system, the purpose of the states is to survive as in classical realism. The system's anarchic nature stems from the assumption that states see each other as a rival/enemy. Since states cannot rely on each other in the anarchic system, they must rely on the "tools" they have created to exist (Jensen, 2011: 155). Therefore, the struggle to create power in the new regional system created in the global system begins. On the other hand, can it be said that there is a power gap in the region? This question is critical for the arctic, the new field of global conflict. As an answer to this question, we can say that Russia already has authority in the region. As we mentioned above, after the glaciers' melting, this power will increase more with new areas opened. At this point, since there is an element of power, it is necessary to balance power. States act similarly in the Arctic. As reflected in the strategy documents, Russia's biggest aim is to preserve its sovereignty in the region, in other words, to maintain its power.

Global Geopolitical Shift: Balance of Power in the Arctic

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