Russia holds more Arctic territory than any other state, yet unlike other Arctic states it does not have a unified strategy identifying economic and political aims for the North. Russia's policies on the North are dispersed across a variety of fields from domestic migration politics to oil and gas development. This volume engages the disparate elements of Russian northern policy and illustrates how the centralized, relatively economically strong and politically assertive Russia of today defines and addresses northern spaces, opportunities, and challenges. As energy markets continue looking northward and climate change renders the Arctic increasingly accessible, the geopolitical interests of Arctic states will be brought more frequently to the forefront. These circumstances will make the disputed borders and overlapping sovereignty claims of the North an important topic in international politics. Given its geographic size and political influence, Russia is and will continue to be a key regional and global actor in the international politics of the North.

List of ContributorsList of Abbreviations
Introduction

Policy Aims and Political Realities in the Russian North
Elana Wilson Rowe

Chapter One: Troublemaking and Risk-Taking: The North in Russian Military Activities
Pavel K. Baev

Chapter Two: Cross-Border Cooperation in the North: The Case of Northwest Russia
Geir Hønneland

Chapter Three: Climate Change in the Russian North: Threats Real and Potential
Craig ZumBrunnen

Chapter Four: Recent Developments in the Russian Fisheries Sector
Anne-Kristin Jørgensen

Chapter Five: Northern Offshore Oil and Gas Resources: Policy Challenges and Approaches
Arild Moe and Elana Wilson Rowe

Chapter Six: Growth Poles and Ghost Towns in the Russian Far North
Timothy Heleniak

Chapter Seven: Indigenous Rights in the Russian North
Indra Øverland

Chapter Eight: Oil and Gas Development in Russia and Northern Indigenous Peoples
Anna A. Sirina

Afterword : The Intersection of Northern and National Policies
Elana Wilson Rowe

Index