As the ice around the Arctic landmass recedes progressively further each year, the territory has become a flashpoint in world affairs. New and lucrative trade routes from East to West are now becoming accessible for shipping lanes and military deployment, and the Arctic is known to be home to large gas and oil reserves. Yet the territorial boundaries of the region remain ill-defined. In response to these geographical changes the Scandinavian countries, especially Denmark and Norway, have begun staking large proprietary claims in the face of pressure from the major powers - Russia, Canada, the US and China - for the trade routes to be designated as International Waters. Here, Norwegian scholar Leif Christian Jensen shows how Norway has undergone a positional shift after declaring its assertive position on the Arctic in 2005. Its disputes with Russia have created a new foreign policy dilemma, and a new set of 'red-lines' in Norwegian policy. Is Norway, as it would like to be seen, an environmentally friendly, peaceful, 'enlightened' nation? Or does this geopolitical shift in world affairs necessitate a new and more aggressive Scandinavia? International Relations in the Arctic makes a timely contribution to the 'turn to the North' in International Relations and Political Science.

'Decision-makers and academics interested in the politics of the Arctic should have this book to hand. It is a fascinating collection of well-researched chapters on the geopolitics, international law and institutions of the Arctic and national Arctic strategies. The authors, drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, cover subjects reflecting their expertise in this superbly edited volume.' - Clive Archer, Advisory Council, Arctic Forum Foundation The Arctic has again become one of the leading issues on the international foreign policy agenda, in a manner unseen since the Cold War. Drawing on the perspectives of geopolitics and international law, this Handbook offers fresh insights and perspectives on the most pressing issues, grouped under the headings of political ascendancy, climate and environmental issues, resources and energy, and the response and policies of affected countries. With the combined expertise of leading scholars in international relations and international law of the Arctic, the book covers key topics such as climate change, energy, indigenous issues, jurisdiction, marine resources, pollution and preparedness, and emergency response. Students, academics, political scientists and international lawyers working on Arctic affairs will find this ground breaking Handbook to be of essential reading. It will also be of interest to other social scientists, such as geographers, sociologists, and anthropologists. Contributors: P. Aalto, A. Bambulyak, N. Bankes, W.A. Berbrick, A. Bergman Rosamond, R.G. Bertelsen, L.-A. Broadhead, R. Churchill, D. Depledge, K. Dodds, N.C. Fabbi, P. Graczyk, A.H. Hoel, G. Honneland, I. Jaakkola, L.C. Jensen, O. Jensen, J.C. Justinussen, E.C.H. Keskitalo, T. Koivurova, P.W. Lackenbauer, M. uszczuk, T.L. McDorman, J. Manicom, E. Mason, T.L. Mcdorman, H.N. Nicol, M. Nuttall, T. Palosaari, D.R. Rothwell, C. Schofield, C. Smits, O.S. Stokke, A.K. Sydnes, M. Sydnes, M. Tennberg, N. Tynkkynen, D.L. Van Der Zwaag, N. Wegge, E. Whitsitt, M. Willis, B. Scott Zellen, K. Zysk

'Decision-makers and academics interested in the politics of the Arctic should have this book to hand. It is a fascinating collection of well-researched chapters on the geopolitics, international law and institutions of the Arctic and national Arctic strategies. The authors, drawn from a wide range of backgrounds, cover subjects reflecting their expertise in this superbly edited volume.' - Clive Archer, Advisory Council, Arctic Forum Foundation The Arctic has again become one of the leading issues on the international foreign policy agenda, in a manner unseen since the Cold War. Drawing on the perspectives of geopolitics and international law, this Handbook offers fresh insights and perspectives on the most pressing issues, grouped under the headings of political ascendancy, climate and environmental issues, resources and energy, and the response and policies of affected countries. With the combined expertise of leading scholars in international relations and international law of the Arctic, the book covers key topics such as climate change, energy, indigenous issues, jurisdiction, marine resources, pollution and preparedness, and emergency response. Students, academics, political scientists and international lawyers working on Arctic affairs will find this ground breaking Handbook to be of essential reading. It will also be of interest to other social scientists, such as geographers, sociologists, and anthropologists. Contributors: P. Aalto, A. Bambulyak, N. Bankes, W.A. Berbrick, A. Bergman Rosamond, R.G. Bertelsen, L.-A. Broadhead, R. Churchill, D. Depledge, K. Dodds, N.C. Fabbi, P. Graczyk, A.H. Hoel, G. Honneland, I. Jaakkola, L.C. Jensen, O. Jensen, J.C. Justinussen, E.C.H. Keskitalo, T. Koivurova, P.W. Lackenbauer, M. uszczuk, T.L. McDorman, J. Manicom, E. Mason, T.L. Mcdorman, H.N. Nicol, M. Nuttall, T. Palosaari, D.R. Rothwell, C. Schofield, C. Smits, O.S. Stokke, A.K. Sydnes, M. Sydnes, M. Tennberg, N. Tynkkynen, D.L. Van Der Zwaag, N. Wegge, E. Whitsitt, M. Willis, B. Scott Zellen, K. Zysk