Russian 'Arctic military' plan

Russian 'Arctic military' plan

news.bbc.co.uk

Russia has announced plans to set up a military force to protect its interests in the Arctic.

In a document published on its national security council's website, Moscow says it expects the Arctic to become its main resource base by 2020.

While the strategy is thought to have been approved in September, it has only now been made public.

Moscow's ambitions are likely to cause concern among other countries with claims to the Arctic.

'Military security'

The document foresees the Arctic becoming Russia's main source of oil and gas within the next decade.

In order to protect its assets, Moscow says one of its main goals will be the establishment of troops "capable of ensuring military security" in the region.

With climate change opening up the possibility of making drilling viable in previously inaccessible areas, the Arctic has gained in strategic importance for Russia, says the BBC's James Rodgers in Moscow.

(visit the link for the full news article)

Recently Russian planted its flag under the seabed of north pole to ascertain its right over the Arctic. This is the precursor for major conflicts ahead. Assuming we don't find an alternative to fossil fuel, which I am very sure we won't, then this is not looking very good at all. Russia has engaged in the modernisation of its military possibly to prepare itself for future conflicts with the west and the US and one of Russia's greatest ally China is implanting itself very deep in Africa to control resources. The future does not look very good........................

news.bbc.co.uk
(visit the link for the full news article)

there are allot of alternatives to fossil fuels..... the problem is it doesnt make any money we have solar,hyrdo, tidal and geothermal available.. combined this will easily replace fossil fuels.. couple this with 100% electric vehicles with quick charge capacity.... and we would be 100% off fossil fuels.... mind you this is just the publicly available free energy methods... there is the possibility of fusion and the reportedly secret anti-matter particle accelerators coupled with a very heavy element(115) that can easily power a whole city for 20 years...........(reportedly from an "alien" origin"Nuclear fission is a joke and shouldn't be part of our energy future.. so no FOSSIL fuels should have no part in the PRESENT or the FUTURE...

Isn't this one of the main reasons we're in the middle east, to secure resources? Why would we not expect others to make similar moves for their own benefit?

What I find sad is that if we just took all that money spent on these endeavors and dumped in into research on alternative energy sources we might not need those resources anymore.

I've seen estimates of the cost of these wars between 600billion and 1.3 trillion when the hidden costs are factored in (such as interest on loans), with over 3 trillion used before it's over.

I can't help but wonder what we could learn if we put a trillion dollars strictly towards research and development of alternative energy. And by strictly I mean actually using the money for that purpose. Not allocating the money for that purpose then have it mostly wasted on bureaucracy and other crap.

Well this is really no surprise since the bulk of the Russian Navy has always consisted primarily of ships and submarines stationed in the north close to the Arctic. This is not just about the claims to the region, but also because it is the most logical positioning for the Russian navy geography wise. So this will not really mark a departure from the past tactics.

Originally posted by rattan1
Recently Russian planted its flag under the seabed of north pole to ascertain its right over the Arctic.

That wasn't done to ascertain any right - just as the US placing a flag on the Moon wasn't done to ascertain its right over the Moon.

Russia has already voiced its official position - that it wants the issue of diving the Artic between relevant countries (US, Canada, Denmark, Russia, and Norway) accomplished through international courts and unilateral agreements. It is also not laying claims to the entire Arctic region - just the portion near the Russian territory in accordance with continental shelves.

Originally posted by rattan1
This is the precursor for major conflicts ahead.

Not necessarily. This is between Russia, US, Canada, Denmark and Norway, all of whom have rightful claims and realize that others do to. Neither of these countries wants to fight each other over it, and I doubt anyone is seriously considering it. There will be a prolonged debate between them no doubt, but there is no reason why they can't reach a unilateral deal.

Originally posted by rattan1
Russia has engaged in the modernisation of its military possibly to prepare itself for future conflicts with the west

Not really. Russia has engaged in the modernization of its military because much of its military is severely outdated, and such a large country has to keep pace with military developments of the West. There doesn't need to be a foreseen conflict, for a country to understand the importance of national defense, especially considering that the US military budget is 1/2 of the world total.

Originally posted by rattan1
and the US and one of Russia's greatest ally China is implanting

China the greatest ally of Russia? Sorry but that is very far from reality. The two have significant differences, and China is one the biggest potential enemies of Russia.

Russia and allied NATO forces are conducting military simulation of an Arctic invasion. The fact they had similar exercises before the war with Georgia tells me that war is being planned out. They have also had war games in cooperation with Venezuela, and helping Iran with their nuclear power.

You do realise that Severomorsk, home of russias northern fleet is actually within the arctic circle as already stated by maloy (as is murmansk)?

From that perspective, to be now claiming that Russia is militarising the area would seem to be a tad superfluous since they have already had it militarised for a very long time.

[edit]
As an additional note it would be worth remembering that the Arctic isn't exactly empty of people either. Re: Arctic population distribution by Country

[edit on 28-3-2009 by Absence of Self]

[edit on 28-3-2009 by Absence of Self]

Canada won't be 'bullied' over Arctic, Cannon tells Russians

www.cbc.ca...

Canada "will not be bullied" by Russia when it comes to staking claim over the Arctic, Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said Friday.

His remarks in Montreal came the same day as Russia said it would amass an army dedicated to protecting its interests in the Arctic.