Episode 23 - Arctic Security with Marisol Maddox

Show Notes

Hosts:  Jeff Cunningham, Ryan Harris, and Guest Host Dr. Eric Hunt

Guest: Marisol Maddox, Senior Arctic Analyst at the Polar Institute for the Wilson Center

Description:  The Arctic is a hot topic, both literally and figuratively.  The region is experiencing warming two to four times faster than the rest of the globe, and the far-reaching impacts on the rest of the globe are significant.  In Greek, the word “arktikos” means “near the bear,” as in Ursa Major, but it’s also home to another bear: Russia.  Since the unprovoked Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the provocation has disrupted global norms in many ways, but no more so than Arctic cooperation.  Because of how austere the environment, unpredictable atmospheric and cryospheric challenges, and significant gaps in environmental sensing data, the Russian invasion has all but halted meaningful cooperation.  Beyond these foreign policy challenges, the region is home to thawing permafrost, retreating sea ice, the largest climate tipping points, introduction of prehistoric zombie viruses, and the desire to find a more efficient transpolar shipping route for global commerce as sea ice continues to disappear.  Improving Arctic sensing, research, and geostrategic linkages will be key focus areas to better understand and prepare for the globe’s most pressing climate change threats.  LISTEN HERE

References:

• Input Report for the Arctic Security Roundtable at the 2023 Munich Security Conference
• 'Zombie’ viruses are thawing from melting permafrost in Russia (Washington Post)
• What Will It Take to Connect the Arctic? $1.2 Billion, 10,000 Miles of Fiber-Optic Cable and Patience (Wall Street Journal)
• Biden Administration Approves Williow Oil Project in Alaska (New York Times)
• Greenland temps surge up to 50 degrees warmer than normal (Washington Post)
• The Arctic Ocean and climate change in a time of tension (Wilson Center)
• Book: Prisoners of Geography (Tim Marshall)
• Permafrost Pathways Project (Woodwell Climate Research Center)
• Saildrone
• Ocean Aero
• Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies
• The Wilson Center

The start to an unconventional journey

(0:02:43)

Prisoners of Geography: The impact of Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Arctic Cooperation

(0:06:25)

Permafrost Thaw, Zombie Viruses, Ice-Free Arctic, and Tipping Points

(0:13:37)

Sensing, modeling, and other technology gaps in the Arctic

(0:32:11)

China's role in the Arctic and partnership with Russia

(0:42:24)

Lightning Round  

(0:53:06)