Russia threatens to seize swathe of Arctic

[Vladimir]

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...of-Arctic.html

"We must finalise and adopt a federal law on the southern border of Russia's Arctic zone," Mr Medvedev told a meeting of the Security Council, in remarks carried by Interfax news agency.

"This is our responsibility, and simply our direct duty, to our descendents," he said. "We must surely, and for the long-term future, secure Russia's interests in the Arctic."

Global warming has stepped up the fight for the disputed Arctic, believed to be laden with vast reserves of oil and gas. Russia has pitted itself against Canada, Denmark, Norway and the United States to fight for a greater part of the region, arguing that most of it is Russian territory since an underwater ridge links Siberia to the North Pole's seabed.

The whole flag planting farce was already posted here before but this is an update. Note the line:

Vladimir Putin, now Russia's prime minister, has said global warming is good for Russia

Could you imagine the response if a U.S. politician said that?

[CBR]

Russia likes to talk big.

Here is a nice map (PDF) over the regions and various claims: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/gra...aarctic106.pdf


CBR

[HoreTore]

I don't really see why I should be upset that Russia is also making rightful claims to the arctic...

[JR-]

who wants a bet that russia's submission to the 'international arctic borders committee' are not looking too favourable right now, hence the diplomatic willy waving?

[Devastatin Dave]

I don't really see why I should be upset that Russia is also making rightful claims to the arctic...

Oil... I know you would prefer to pretend oil isn't important and its all evil and so forth, but you have to be completely insane, especially living in Europe, to not care if Russia claims another area rich with a energy resourse. Wait till they turn off the natural gas to you guys then you might think differently

[CBR]

As long as its rightful claims then all is fine. I doubt Russia really want to annoy the 4 other countries that are all NATO members and one happening to be a superpower.


CBR

[Sarmatian]

I didn't see anything in the text or in the quoted words of Medvedev that justifies title of the text:
"Russia threatens to seize swathe of Arctic
President Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia should unilaterally claim part of the Arctic, stepping up the race for the disputed energy-rich region." But, then again, I don't see every action of Russia as a deceit that's taking it one step closer to its ultimate goal which is of course world domination...

There are several more nations that had laid claims to the Arctic, Vladimir. Should we make several more threads, one for every nation that has laid claims?

Those bloodthirsty Norwegians! They've remembered their Viking roots, and now want to rule the seas like they once have. Claiming the Arctic is just a first step. We're all doomed, doomed, I tell you...

[lars573]

Russia likes to talk big.

Here is a nice map (PDF) over the regions and various claims: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/gra...aarctic106.pdf


CBR

I've seen that. And to think Canada and Denmark are involved in a wizzing match over control of that corridor between Baffin Island and Greenland. The arctic, the next colonial scramble.

Oil...

If only that's all it was about. It's also about potential shipping lanes through the arctic ocean. If warming trends continue the north-west passage will be navigable year round. Which will cut the journey from asia to europe by ship by thousands of kilometres and cut millions in fuel costs.

[HoreTore]

Oil... I know you would prefer to pretend oil isn't important and its all evil and so forth, but you have to be completely insane, especially living in Europe, to not care if Russia claims another area rich with a energy resourse. Wait till they turn off the natural gas to you guys then you might think differently

CBR and Sarmatian has it spot on. They have the same right to make a claim to the arctic as every other country bordering the region, why on earth shouldn't they be allowed to make a just claim to it?

Do we have one set of rules for "us good guys", and another one for "those evil guys"?

also, we aren't importing any oil or gas from russia, we have more than enough of it already and Sarmatian, be quiet, those are secret plans!!!11

[Vladimir]

I didn't see anything in the text or in the quoted words of Medvedev that justifies title of the text:
"Russia threatens to seize swathe of Arctic
President Dmitry Medvedev said that Russia should unilaterally claim part of the Arctic, stepping up the race for the disputed energy-rich region." But, then again, I don't see every action of Russia as a deceit that's taking it one step closer to its ultimate goal which is of course world domination...

There are several more nations that had laid claims to the Arctic, Vladimir. Should we make several more threads, one for every nation that has laid claims?

Those bloodthirsty Norwegians! They've remembered their Viking roots, and now want to rule the seas like they once have. Claiming the Arctic is just a first step. We're all doomed, doomed, I tell you...

How else would you interpret it?

CBR and Sarmatian has it spot on. They have the same right to make a claim to the arctic as every other country bordering the region, why on earth shouldn't they be allowed to make a just claim to it?

Do we have one set of rules for "us good guys", and another one for "those evil guys"?

also, we aren't importing any oil or gas from russia, we have more than enough of it already and Sarmatian, be quiet, those are secret plans!!!11

They've previously made the claim, now they're threatening to take it by force.

[yesdachi]

I thought that area was already claimed.

Spoiler Alert, click show to read: 

EDIT: Removed hotlinked picture of Santa Claus. Please host pictures yourself. BG

[Tribesman]

They've previously made the claim, now they're threatening to take it by force.

Are they really .

[Louis VI the Fat]

Vladimir Putin, now Russia's prime minister, has said global warming is good for Russia

Could you imagine the response if a U.S. politician said that?

I think the world would rejoice - it would mean one step up for Washington from ignoring global warming.

[Viking]

I think the world would rejoice - it would mean one step up for Washington from ignoring global warming.

[CrossLOPER]

Those monsters! EVIL. EVIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIL!

[Martok]

I think the world would rejoice - it would mean one step up for Washington from ignoring global warming.

....And a point to Louis! I think that's going down as my quote of the week.

[KarlXII]

I very much doubt this is something we need to be concerned about. Hell, many nations have claims to the Arctic. I believe we have more to worry about with Canada:

http://www.canada.com/victoriatimesc...c877101a7&k=77

Wise words from a wise man:

"either we use it or we lose it," said Harper. "And make no mistake, this government intends to use it"

[HoreTore]

They've previously made the claim, now they're threatening to take it by force.

So? Are you concerned that they'll exterminate the naive humans living on the north pole?

[Sarmatian]

How else would you interpret it?

They've made the claim and they're stating that they're committed to it. Nothing sensational there... PR move, aimed at Russians...

[HoreTore]

They've made the claim and they're stating that they're committed to it. Nothing sensational there... PR move, aimed at Russians...

Well, it is pretty damn clear that if the arctic is to be divided, Russia deserves a huge chunk of it. I can't see how anyone can justify another solution.

However, Russia is seen as a bad boy these days, so for them to actually get what is right in an orderly and timely manner, I believe they have to be a lot more aggressive than they have been.

[Sarmatian]

I think this is more PR move for Russian public, as it seems it was primarily aimed at them. But, it could be that this is also a statement that they won't be cheated out of their part...

[HoreTore]

I think this is more PR move for Russian public, as it seems it was primarily aimed at them. But, it could be that this is also a statement that they won't be cheated out of their part...

Sounds a lot like what my government is doing.... There won't be any threads about that though, we're the good guys

[Vladimir]

Sounds a lot like what my government is doing.... There won't be any threads about that though, we're the good guys

Says who? 911 AD, never forget!

Anyway, yea, Russia = Bad. The more power they acquire, the more of a threat they are. I see this move as a threat because I have a basic understanding of their history. It is also against the best interest of most people here to include myself.

[KarlXII]

Says who? 911 AD, never forget!

Anyway, yea, Russia = Bad. The more power they acquire, the more of a threat they are. I see this move as a threat because I have a basic understanding of their history. It is also against the best interest of most people here to include myself.

Yes, once the Russians launch their polar nukes, we will look at this thread and say "WE SHOULD HAVE LISTENED! WE SHOULD HAVE LISTENED!"

[CrossLOPER]

Says who? 911 AD, never forget!

Anyway, yea, Russia = Bad. The more power they acquire, the more of a threat they are. I see this move as a threat because I have a basic understanding of their history. It is also against the best interest of most people here to include myself.

Yes. The West will tremble before the Russian Army when they capture the arctic and deploy the dreaded Snow Cannons of Doom.

[Sarmatian]

Says who? 911 AD, never forget!

Anyway, yea, Russia = Bad. The more power they acquire, the more of a threat they are. I see this move as a threat because I have a basic understanding of their history. It is also against the best interest of most people here to include myself.

Well, you've said it all - basic understanding. And what's that in Russian history that is so scary and should make us all afraid? (I have a scary feeling that Krook is going to appear and answer this one)

[HoreTore]

Anyway, yea, Russia = Bad. The more power they acquire, the more of a threat they are. I see this move as a threat because I have a basic understanding of their history. It is also against the best interest of most people here to include myself.

So.... By that logic, we should all divide up all of Russia's territory and enslave the population...?

[CrossLOPER]

So.... By that logic, we should all divide up all of Russia's territory and enslave the population...?

No, because then the Chinese will get you.... apparently.

[HoreTore]

No, because then the Chinese will get you.... apparently.

Yes, well... We'll divide and enslave the chinese too, then?

[Husar]

That the dollar has a better standing to the Euro than 10 Dollars for a Euro is also against my best interest but I try to keep it to myself.
So why would the US have a claim in the Arctic? Apart from that backwater Alaska thing up north, the US main land is nowhere near the arctic. And on top of that they bought Alaska from them evil imperial russians who would never give away any of their land....oh...wait...they bought....never mind...