{"id":9261,"date":"2022-07-15T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-07-14T22:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/?p=9261"},"modified":"2022-07-15T04:55:09","modified_gmt":"2022-07-14T18:55:09","slug":"a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/","title":{"rendered":"A view from afar: Australia and the Arctic"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">ELIZABETH BUCHANAN  |  <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>The Arctic is once more in geopolitical free fall. Australia should construct an approach to its Arctic interests informed by our brushes with great power politics in the Indo-Pacific.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">2022\u2019s iteration of Russian aggression towards Ukraine saw the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/thebarentsobserver.com\/en\/arctic\/2022\/03\/arctic-council-pause-mode-seven-eight-member-states-condemn-war\">pause<\/a>&nbsp;of the Arctic\u2019s sole governance forum\u2014the Arctic Council. A dire diplomatic situation is brewing in the Arctic, and the Council could have protected from spiraling Russia-West tensions. Russia holds the largest (over 50 percent) legitimate territorial stake in the Arctic region, which means dialogue for any Arctic challenge, necessitates engagement with Moscow. Russia will also likely take the \u201cfreeze\u201d in dialogue collaboration in the Arctic as an opportunity to usher in new-Arctic actors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But many Arctic think tank \u201cexperts\u201d either view dialogue as appeasement or, perplexingly, believe transnational security challenges (e.g., climate change and environmental disasters) can be dealt with neatly within sovereign Arctic boundaries. Others appear unconvinced of the geostrategic shifts the Arctic would experience via the enhanced activity of states like India, China, UAE, and select ASEAN nations. Of course, Delhi and Beijing don\u2019t need a sovereign claim to \u201cinsert\u201d themselves into the region. But the robustness of international law in the Arctic is perhaps a piece for another time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Arctic is not immune from geopolitics, and actually, the region went \u201cglobal\u201d quite some time ago. Indeed, Australia has critical interests in the Arctic \u201cgreat game.\u201d Sitting at the heart of the Indo-Pacific region, a zone that extends to the Arctic via the North Pacific, Australia is already impacted by geopolitical shifts and security threats originating in the High North. In the eyes of international treaties, Australia already has an Arctic stake. Party to the Svalbard&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com.au\/url?sa=t&amp;rct=j&amp;q=&amp;esrc=s&amp;source=web&amp;cd=&amp;ved=2ahUKEwitlsjoq_f4AhXg8jgGHTibD-0QFnoECAYQAQ&amp;url=http%3A%2F%2Flibrary.arcticportal.org%2F1909%2F1%2FThe_Svalbard_Treaty_9ssFy.pdf&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Ccbul668T1ef2tFBDOnDU\">Treaty<\/a>, Australian nationals have the right to access economic gains, as well as rights to residence and access to the Svalbard Archipelago. Australian firms mining critical minerals are also well-established throughout the Arctic region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-left wp-block-paragraph\">Much of Australia\u2019s network, the \u201chub and spoke\u201d web of partners and allies, hold interests in the Arctic. Of the eight Arctic-rim states (nations with territory above the Arctic Circle), Australia holds strong diplomatic ties with seven\u2014the United States, Canada, Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. Further Arctic-rim diplomatic linkages include the Five Eyes intelligence network, which is represented by the US and Canada. The remaining network members are also engaged Arctic states \u2013 both Japan and the UK are Observers of the Arctic Council. Australia also works closely with the EU and NATO \u2013 two key institutions with&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.eeas.europa.eu\/eeas\/eu-arctic_en\">rising<\/a>&nbsp;Arctic interest (and footprints).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"782\" src=\"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/Political_Map_of_the_Arctic.pdf-1024x782.jpg\" alt=\"political map of the arctic\" class=\"wp-image-9262\" srcset=\"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/Political_Map_of_the_Arctic.pdf-1024x782.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/Political_Map_of_the_Arctic.pdf-300x229.jpg 300w, https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/Political_Map_of_the_Arctic.pdf.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption>Source: United States Government, Wikimedia.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Plenty of hot air has been spent on the spillover potential for military&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2022\/06\/25\/how-the-melting-arctic-could-lead-to-huge-richesand-world-war\/\">conflict<\/a>&nbsp;in the Arctic. Arguably, even Russia\u2019s military footprint in the Russian Arctic zone is but a shadow of its Cold War-era footprint. Of course, any discussion of Arctic military capability appears largely devoid of consideration around&nbsp;<em>intent<\/em>. Simplistic assessments of Russian foreign policy existing as a \u201cset and forget\u201d system\u2014applicable to every corner of the globe\u2014tend to drown out any nuanced understanding of Kremlin strategy. If the Russian Arctic zone is the future economic lifeline for Moscow, it makes sense to secure it and protect it militarily. But surely it follows, Russia\u2019s priority is low tension in the Arctic to attract foreign investment and secure a long-term customer base. Again, perhaps a debate for another piece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the Arctic is essentially a \u201cseam\u201d of the Indo-Pacific, then Australia is an Arctic-stakeholder lying in wait. Not only do security challenges originate in the Arctic that shape the Indo-Pacific but shifts in the Indo-Pacific feedback to shape the Arctic. Environmental challenges, rising sea levels, and threats to crop harvests are just a few of the ecological shifts&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.csis.org\/analysis\/chinas-arctic-dream\">driving<\/a>&nbsp;Indo-Pacific states like India and China to the Arctic. The scientific data and research opportunities to track and understand changing global climate in the Arctic is fast becoming a source of security interest for many coastal states in Asia. Of course, economic allures in the Arctic, namely the Russian Arctic zone\u2019s hydrocarbon opportunities, drive Indo-Pacific states to cooperate with Moscow. For many states it is about economics, not ethics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the line between Arctic-insider and Arctic-outsider continues to recede, there are two central themes of interest which shape the Arctic view from Australia. First, the Arctic-rim states are consumed by an increasingly outdated concept of&nbsp;<em>proximity.&nbsp;<\/em>It is also weaponised to a point. For example, liberal-democratic Arctic-rim states have clear&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.defensenews.com\/opinion\/commentary\/2020\/05\/11\/chinas-strategic-interest-in-the-arctic-goes-beyond-economics\/\">issues<\/a>&nbsp;with China\u2019s self-identification as a \u201cnear-Arctic\u201d stakeholder. Yet, India, which also penned an Arctic&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.idsa.in\/issuebrief\/india-arctic-policy-abisen-170322\">Strategy<\/a>&nbsp;and increasingly works to legitimise and insert itself into the Arctic region, does not attract a similar emotive response. India\u2019s \u201cthird pole\u201d strategic narrative through which its stake in the Himalayas is cultivated and attached to its polar identity in a push for Arctic relevance and legitimacy. The conception of proximity as the be all and end all of legitimacy is dating fast. Not least, we are yet to see the implications of climate change on seabeds and exclusive economic zones. Of course, the rigid application of international law must consider the ways in which states will continue to&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.internationalaffairs.org.au\/australianoutlook\/antarctica-in-the-grey-zone\/\">work<\/a>&nbsp;the system and interpret international agreements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The second theme worth considering is the varied way in which Arctic \u201cthreats\u201d are defined and&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.wsj.com\/articles\/canada-plans-billions-in-military-spending-to-counter-russia-threat-in-arctic-11655750422?mod=world_minor_pos9\">conceptualised<\/a>. The idea that Russia or China will invade the US via the Arctic is abstract to the point of potentially requiring medical intervention. The conception that Beijing will send the PLA Navy to secure access to and exploitation of the slither of the Arctic Ocean which is High Seas is somewhat missing the point. Rather, we should expect the increased masking of assertive policies by Beijing via research and scientific endeavours. This continued weaponisation of scientific research as well as expanding dual-use military-civilian capabilities will reshape threat perceptions in the Arctic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A strong Russia in the Arctic or a viable and booming Russian Arctic zone filled with energy projects is a considerable threat for other Arctic-rim states. However, I caution the push to devastate or undermine Russia\u2019s ventures in the Russian Arctic. While the haemorrhage of Western partners, investment, and technology is desirable for the West in the short term, this situation is dire news in the long-term. Beijing further legitimately intrenches itself in projects in the Russian Arctic zone which will likely attract military or security protectionist politics in the long term. This would usher in increased PLA Navy&nbsp;<em>presence<\/em>&nbsp;in the Arctic, not least potentially congesting the Bering Strait. Presence is power. Again, lessons from Asia and throughout the Indo-Pacific, regional experiences of China\u2019s debt-trap diplomacy, and security force enhancements should be grasped now for the Arctic. Australia is well versed in the navigating the complexities of \u201clittle blue men,\u201d has evident Arctic interests, and plenty to offer our partners in the region. The Arctic has gone global, and it is time for the traditional Arctic security debate to catch up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator\" \/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"author label wp-block-paragraph\">AUTHOR<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em><strong>Dr Elizabeth Buchanan<\/strong> is an Adjunct Research Fellow at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.griffith.edu.au\/asia-institute\">Griffith Asia Institute<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>This article was first published at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.internationalaffairs.org.au\/australianoutlook\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/\">Australian Outlook<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ELIZABETH BUCHANAN | The Arctic is once more in geopolitical free fall. Australia should construct an approach to its Arctic interests informed by our brushes with great power politics in the Indo-Pacific. 2022\u2019s iteration of Russian aggression towards Ukraine saw the&nbsp;pause&nbsp;of the Arctic\u2019s sole governance forum\u2014the Arctic Council. A dire diplomatic situation is brewing in [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":9263,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1170,233,1053,245,246,1056],"tags":[1700,284,1633,1091,512,526,609,441],"class_list":["post-9261","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-commentary","category-feature-series","category-australia","category-china-and-north-east-asia","category-india-and-south-asia","category-politics","tag-arctic","tag-china","tag-elizabeth-buchanan","tag-geopolitics","tag-india","tag-indo-pacific","tag-russia","tag-united-states"],"acf":[],"modified_by":"Jill Moriarty","yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.0 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>A view from afar: Australia and the Arctic | Griffith Asia Insights<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"ELIZABETH BUCHANAN | The Arctic is once more in geopolitical free fall. Australia should construct an approach to its Arctic interests informed by our\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"A view from afar: Australia and the Arctic | Griffith Asia Insights\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"ELIZABETH BUCHANAN | The Arctic is once more in geopolitical free fall. Australia should construct an approach to its Arctic interests informed by our\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Griffith Asia Insights\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/griffithasiainstitute\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-07-14T22:30:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/University-Centre-in-Svalbard.jpg?fit=900%2C500&ssl=1\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"500\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Griffith Asia Institute\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@GAIGriffith\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@GAIGriffith\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Griffith Asia Institute\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Griffith Asia Institute\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8121b8aa336749474cbaca380c03029a\"},\"headline\":\"A view from afar: Australia and the Arctic\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-07-14T22:30:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1208,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/University-Centre-in-Svalbard.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Arctic\",\"China\",\"Elizabeth Buchanan\",\"Geopolitics\",\"India\",\"Indo-Pacific\",\"Russia\",\"United States\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Commentary\",\"Feature series\",\"Region | Australia\",\"Region | China and Northeast Asia\",\"Region | India and South Asia\",\"Topic-Politics\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\\\/\",\"name\":\"A view from afar: Australia and the Arctic | Griffith Asia Insights\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/University-Centre-in-Svalbard.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-07-14T22:30:00+00:00\",\"description\":\"ELIZABETH BUCHANAN | The Arctic is once more in geopolitical free fall. Australia should construct an approach to its Arctic interests informed by our\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/University-Centre-in-Svalbard.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2022\\\/07\\\/University-Centre-in-Svalbard.jpg\",\"width\":900,\"height\":500,\"caption\":\"University Centre in Svalbard, part of the University of the Arctic. (Image: Andrew Shiva | Wikipedia | CC BY-SA 4.0)\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"A view from afar: Australia and the Arctic\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/\",\"name\":\"Griffith Asia Insights\",\"description\":\"Asia Insights is published by the Griffith Asia Institute. It offers latest commentary on Asia-Pacific affairs and aims to inform and foster academic scholarship, public awareness and considered and responsive policy making.\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Griffith Asia Institute\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/blogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/GU_Griffith-Asia-Institute_rgb_red_horizontal.png?fit=2930%2C308&ssl=1\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/i0.wp.com\\\/blogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/sites\\\/2\\\/2023\\\/10\\\/GU_Griffith-Asia-Institute_rgb_red_horizontal.png?fit=2930%2C308&ssl=1\",\"width\":2930,\"height\":308,\"caption\":\"Griffith Asia Institute\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/griffithasiainstitute\\\/\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/GAIGriffith\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/8121b8aa336749474cbaca380c03029a\",\"name\":\"Griffith Asia Institute\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-AU\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f133de65681da3b20ddbc1917f066f458d355d7dfa1f214b10ff4bd135d5ab6c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f133de65681da3b20ddbc1917f066f458d355d7dfa1f214b10ff4bd135d5ab6c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/secure.gravatar.com\\\/avatar\\\/f133de65681da3b20ddbc1917f066f458d355d7dfa1f214b10ff4bd135d5ab6c?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Griffith Asia Institute\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\\\/asiainsights\\\/author\\\/gaigriffith-edu-au\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"A view from afar: Australia and the Arctic | Griffith Asia Insights","description":"ELIZABETH BUCHANAN | The Arctic is once more in geopolitical free fall. Australia should construct an approach to its Arctic interests informed by our","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"A view from afar: Australia and the Arctic | Griffith Asia Insights","og_description":"ELIZABETH BUCHANAN | The Arctic is once more in geopolitical free fall. Australia should construct an approach to its Arctic interests informed by our","og_url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/","og_site_name":"Griffith Asia Insights","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/griffithasiainstitute\/","article_published_time":"2022-07-14T22:30:00+00:00","og_image":[{"width":900,"height":500,"url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/University-Centre-in-Svalbard.jpg?fit=900%2C500&ssl=1","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Griffith Asia Institute","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@GAIGriffith","twitter_site":"@GAIGriffith","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Griffith Asia Institute","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/"},"author":{"name":"Griffith Asia Institute","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#\/schema\/person\/8121b8aa336749474cbaca380c03029a"},"headline":"A view from afar: Australia and the Arctic","datePublished":"2022-07-14T22:30:00+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/"},"wordCount":1208,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/University-Centre-in-Svalbard.jpg","keywords":["Arctic","China","Elizabeth Buchanan","Geopolitics","India","Indo-Pacific","Russia","United States"],"articleSection":["Commentary","Feature series","Region | Australia","Region | China and Northeast Asia","Region | India and South Asia","Topic-Politics"],"inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/","url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/","name":"A view from afar: Australia and the Arctic | Griffith Asia Insights","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/University-Centre-in-Svalbard.jpg","datePublished":"2022-07-14T22:30:00+00:00","description":"ELIZABETH BUCHANAN | The Arctic is once more in geopolitical free fall. Australia should construct an approach to its Arctic interests informed by our","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-AU","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/University-Centre-in-Svalbard.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/University-Centre-in-Svalbard.jpg","width":900,"height":500,"caption":"University Centre in Svalbard, part of the University of the Arctic. (Image: Andrew Shiva | Wikipedia | CC BY-SA 4.0)"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/a-view-from-afar-australia-and-the-arctic\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"A view from afar: Australia and the Arctic"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#website","url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/","name":"Griffith Asia Insights","description":"Asia Insights is published by the Griffith Asia Institute. It offers latest commentary on Asia-Pacific affairs and aims to inform and foster academic scholarship, public awareness and considered and responsive policy making.","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-AU"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#organization","name":"Griffith Asia Institute","url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/GU_Griffith-Asia-Institute_rgb_red_horizontal.png?fit=2930%2C308&ssl=1","contentUrl":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/GU_Griffith-Asia-Institute_rgb_red_horizontal.png?fit=2930%2C308&ssl=1","width":2930,"height":308,"caption":"Griffith Asia Institute"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/griffithasiainstitute\/","https:\/\/x.com\/GAIGriffith"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/#\/schema\/person\/8121b8aa336749474cbaca380c03029a","name":"Griffith Asia Institute","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-AU","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f133de65681da3b20ddbc1917f066f458d355d7dfa1f214b10ff4bd135d5ab6c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f133de65681da3b20ddbc1917f066f458d355d7dfa1f214b10ff4bd135d5ab6c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f133de65681da3b20ddbc1917f066f458d355d7dfa1f214b10ff4bd135d5ab6c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Griffith Asia Institute"},"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/author\/gaigriffith-edu-au\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/University-Centre-in-Svalbard.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":9943,"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/whether-on-russia-or-china-clearly-baerbock-is-driving-germanys-change\/","url_meta":{"origin":9261,"position":0},"title":"Whether on Russia or China, clearly Baerbock is driving Germany\u2019s change","author":"Griffith Asia Institute","date":"1 September 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"IAN KEMISH AM\u00a0 | Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock\u2019s address to the Lowy Institute this week\u00a0highlighted\u00a0the significant changes in German foreign and security stance over the last 18 months, especially when it comes to dealing with authoritarian states. It was quite unlike any of the politicians\u2019 speeches I sat through as\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Commentary&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/category\/publication\/commentary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Annalena Baerbock Wahlkampfh\u00f6hepunkt D\u00fcsseldorf, September 2021","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/08\/Annalena-Baerbock.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/08\/Annalena-Baerbock.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/08\/Annalena-Baerbock.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/08\/Annalena-Baerbock.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":7799,"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/regional-wrap-56\/","url_meta":{"origin":9261,"position":1},"title":"Regional wrap | 56","author":"Griffith Asia Institute","date":"13 August 2020","format":false,"excerpt":"The Griffith Asia Institute, fortnightly Regional wrap with Aakriti Bachhawat. One of the most important, and yet subtle developments this fortnight was a shift in Australia\u2019s position on the ongoing border tensions between India and China.","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Commentary&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Commentary","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/category\/publication\/commentary\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Griffith Asia Institute - Regional Wrap 54","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/02\/REGIONAL-WRAP-900.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/02\/REGIONAL-WRAP-900.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/02\/REGIONAL-WRAP-900.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/02\/REGIONAL-WRAP-900.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10055,"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/policy-brief-an-agenda-for-australia-rok-climate-cooperation-with-southeast-asia\/","url_meta":{"origin":9261,"position":2},"title":"Policy Brief | An agenda for Australia-Republic of Korea climate cooperation with Southeast Asia","author":"Griffith Asia Institute","date":"17 October 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"ALICE NASON\u00a0 |\u00a0 Griffith Asia Institute Policy Brief | 30-MINUTE READ Executive summary Download PDF The intensification of climate change will have dramatic and destructive effects on Southeast Asia. For Australia, whose resilience and prosperity are intrinsically tied to those of its neighbours, preventing or minimising the impact of climate\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Green transition and development&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Green transition and development","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/category\/green-transition-and-development\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Griffith Asia Institute Policy Brief cover - South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol poses for a photo with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as they meet on the sidelines of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization summit in Madrid, 28 June 2022..","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/australia-rok-policy-brief-blog-banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/australia-rok-policy-brief-blog-banner.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/australia-rok-policy-brief-blog-banner.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/10\/australia-rok-policy-brief-blog-banner.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":10364,"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/perspectivesasia-surviving-the-new-cold-war-as-a-middle-power\/","url_meta":{"origin":9261,"position":3},"title":"Perspectives:Asia | Surviving the new cold war as a middle power","author":"Griffith Asia Institute","date":"9 March 2023","format":false,"excerpt":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=sQdLsEG1VeQ PERSPECTIVES:ASIA\u00a0|\u00a0PETER K LEE\u00a0| In the evolving landscape of the Indo-Pacific, middle powers such as Australia are confronted with increasingly complex choices between the United States and China. This new Cold War presents unique challenges and opportunities, and Australia, once navigating a different geopolitical reality, now finds itself among a\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Event - Perspectives:Asia&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Event - Perspectives:Asia","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/category\/events\/perspectives-asia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"(L-R) Professor Ian Hall, Acting Director, Griffith Asia Institute, Griffith University, Dr Peter K Lee, Research Fellow in the Foreign Policy and Defence Program at the United States Studies Centre and Korea Foundation Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne\u2019s Asia Institute and Tarun Nagesh, Curatorial Manager, Asian and Pacific Art at QAGOMA. (Image: Chlo\u00eb Callistemon)","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/banner-Peter-K-Lee.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/banner-Peter-K-Lee.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/banner-Peter-K-Lee.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2023\/12\/banner-Peter-K-Lee.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5352,"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/regional-wrap-21\/","url_meta":{"origin":9261,"position":4},"title":"Regional wrap","author":"Jill Moriarty","date":"14 February 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"The last fortnight was an especially busy one for the Indo-Pacific region\u2019s policymakers. The US withdrawal from the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces Treaty with Russia delivered a big blow to international non-nuclear proliferation efforts. President Donald Trump accuses Russia of violating the terms of the agreement which has been an\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Feature series&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Feature series","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/category\/publication\/feature-series\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"Griffith Asia Institute - Regional Wrap 54","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/02\/REGIONAL-WRAP-900.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/02\/REGIONAL-WRAP-900.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/02\/REGIONAL-WRAP-900.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2018\/02\/REGIONAL-WRAP-900.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":5292,"url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/australia-should-brace-for-a-volatile-year-in-foreign-policy-in-2019\/","url_meta":{"origin":9261,"position":5},"title":"Australia should brace for a volatile year in foreign policy in 2019","author":"Griffith Asia Institute","date":"4 January 2019","format":false,"excerpt":"SUSAN HARRIS RIMMER | By the end of 2019 we should be able to assess how Australia is travelling with the grand plan laid out in the\u00a02017 Foreign Policy White Paper. In this, an election year, I examine the status of our most important international relationships. My verdict: decidedly shaky.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In &quot;Feature series&quot;","block_context":{"text":"Feature series","link":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/category\/publication\/feature-series\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/01\/foreign-policy-volatility-900x500.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/01\/foreign-policy-volatility-900x500.jpg?resize=350%2C200&ssl=1 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/01\/foreign-policy-volatility-900x500.jpg?resize=525%2C300&ssl=1 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2019\/01\/foreign-policy-volatility-900x500.jpg?resize=700%2C400&ssl=1 2x"},"classes":[]}],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"featured_image_thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/07\/University-Centre-in-Svalbard.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9261","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9261"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/9261\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/9263"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9261"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=9261"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/testblogs.griffith.edu.au\/asiainsights\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=9261"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}