Geopolitics in the High North

Research Topics

Actors and patterns of cooperation and conflict:	Russia, Norway and the High North - Past, Present, Future:

Who are the various actors in the High North and how is the interplay between them? States, particularly the traditional great powers, will play a key role in the region.	What are the Russian interests in the High North and Russia’s relations with Norway? What are the trends of continuity and what are new traits?

The United States in the 21 century Arctic:	Defining an interest: the European Union and the High North:

What are US policies towards the Arctic region and especially to the European High North?	What is the potential for a more unified and integrated European Union High North policy?

The power of energy:	Law of the sea and ocean governance:

What is the geopolitical significance of the energy resources in the High North?	How adequate are the law of the sea and international environmental law to the Arctic Ocean? What are the Great-power policies towards the Barents Sea? And what is the history of Norwegian jurisdictional expansion?

Climate change and environmental protection:	Norwegian interests:

How adequate is the Arctic institutional architecture and its interplay with broader institutions as a means of dealing with pressing environmental challenges?	This work package aims to synthesise the consequences and lessons generated by the findings on Norwegian interests in the other work packages.