killthefed
Member
- Joined
- May 29, 2009
- Messages
- 80
By Dana Gabriel
In many ways, the Arctic has become a geopolitical game with mixed messages being sent from all sides. There appears to be a real contradiction in what is being said and what is actually being done to safeguard sovereignty. While Arctic countries have emphasized the importance of resolving conflicting boundary claims through enhanced cooperation, at times, rhetoric has served to fuel rivalries in the resource-rich area. NATO has declared the Arctic a strategically important region with northern member nations individually or collaboratively conducting military and naval operations to showcase their capabilities.
This year's Operation Nanook, an annual Canadian Forces (CF) sovereignty exercise took place from August 6 to 26 in Canada's eastern and high Arctic area. It was important as for the first time, the Canadian-led exercise included military participation from fellow NATO members, the U.S. and Denmark. Canadian Navy, Army and Air Force personnel, collaborated with naval and air assets from the U.S. Second Fleet, along with the Royal Danish Navy, performing various security drills. The joint war games were intended to, “strengthen preparedness, increase interoperability and exercise a collective response to emerging challenges in the Arctic.” In March of this year, NATO troops also participated in Exercise Cold Response which was held in Norway. It included some 9.000 soldiers from 14 countries and focused, “on cold weather maritime/amphibious operations, interoperability of expeditionary forces, and special and conventional ground operations.” As Canada and other nations promote diplomacy, development and science as a means to assert sovereignty in the Arctic, at the same time they continue to expand military operations in the region.
In his article Welcome to a new era of Arctic security, Rob Huebert associate director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary, remarked on the significance of American and Danish participation in Canada’s Operation Nanook. He stated it is, “interesting to see these three Arctic friends coming together to improve their naval combat capability in the Far North, a demonstration of force and solidarity to show the world they’re serious about protecting this region.” Huebert also brings Norway, another NATO member into the scenario and noted, “there seems to be a contradiction between what the four countries are doing and what they’re saying. As they take expensive and challenging steps to improve their combat capability in the Arctic, they continue to assert that the region is both stable and peaceful.” He goes on to say, “They may be telling their citizens that all is well in the Arctic, but their actions suggest this is not what they truly believe.” Huebert also added, “It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that Moscow is the target of these vigorous military exercises in the Arctic.” Further control of the area is part of a broader global military agenda and there are fears of a potential showdown.
full article http://beyourownleader.blogspot.com/2010/11/nato-arctic-security-and-canadian.html
In many ways, the Arctic has become a geopolitical game with mixed messages being sent from all sides. There appears to be a real contradiction in what is being said and what is actually being done to safeguard sovereignty. While Arctic countries have emphasized the importance of resolving conflicting boundary claims through enhanced cooperation, at times, rhetoric has served to fuel rivalries in the resource-rich area. NATO has declared the Arctic a strategically important region with northern member nations individually or collaboratively conducting military and naval operations to showcase their capabilities.
This year's Operation Nanook, an annual Canadian Forces (CF) sovereignty exercise took place from August 6 to 26 in Canada's eastern and high Arctic area. It was important as for the first time, the Canadian-led exercise included military participation from fellow NATO members, the U.S. and Denmark. Canadian Navy, Army and Air Force personnel, collaborated with naval and air assets from the U.S. Second Fleet, along with the Royal Danish Navy, performing various security drills. The joint war games were intended to, “strengthen preparedness, increase interoperability and exercise a collective response to emerging challenges in the Arctic.” In March of this year, NATO troops also participated in Exercise Cold Response which was held in Norway. It included some 9.000 soldiers from 14 countries and focused, “on cold weather maritime/amphibious operations, interoperability of expeditionary forces, and special and conventional ground operations.” As Canada and other nations promote diplomacy, development and science as a means to assert sovereignty in the Arctic, at the same time they continue to expand military operations in the region.
In his article Welcome to a new era of Arctic security, Rob Huebert associate director of the Centre for Military and Strategic Studies at the University of Calgary, remarked on the significance of American and Danish participation in Canada’s Operation Nanook. He stated it is, “interesting to see these three Arctic friends coming together to improve their naval combat capability in the Far North, a demonstration of force and solidarity to show the world they’re serious about protecting this region.” Huebert also brings Norway, another NATO member into the scenario and noted, “there seems to be a contradiction between what the four countries are doing and what they’re saying. As they take expensive and challenging steps to improve their combat capability in the Arctic, they continue to assert that the region is both stable and peaceful.” He goes on to say, “They may be telling their citizens that all is well in the Arctic, but their actions suggest this is not what they truly believe.” Huebert also added, “It’s hard to avoid the conclusion that Moscow is the target of these vigorous military exercises in the Arctic.” Further control of the area is part of a broader global military agenda and there are fears of a potential showdown.
full article http://beyourownleader.blogspot.com/2010/11/nato-arctic-security-and-canadian.html
