American and Canadian interests in the Arctic region

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to identify the interests in the Arctic region of such leading countries of the Western Hemisphere as the USA and Canada. Arctic ice is actively melting. If current trends continue, the region will undergo drastic changes with far-reaching consequences. At the same time, the retreating ice is opening up the region for economic development, including through the exploitation of previously inaccessible hydrocarbons and minerals. In September 2011, both the Northern Sea Route (along the northern coast of Russia, formerly known as the Northeast Passage) and the Northwest Passage (along the northern coast of Canada and Alaska) were opened for some time, which could potentially lead to a reduction in shipping lanes in Asia. Increasing human activity in the sparsely populated and climatically difficult Arctic requires new initiatives to ensure the safety of the region's environment, its residents and guests. In this regard, the identification of the basic interests of the Canada and United States in the Arctic zone is of particular importance. The authors used such research methods as system analysis, logical and historical. Due to its geopolitical features and enormous resource potential, the Arctic region concentrates the attention of the leading powers of the modern world. The article analyzes in detail the approaches to defining the borders of the Arctic region of Canada and the United States, provides a retrospective analysis of the development of these territories. The results of the study of the actual data and the literature used showed that in modern Canada, the Arctic is considered as the center of national identity, although the interest of the authorities in this zone has been situational for quite a long time. The authors highlight the reasons why Canada seeks to expand its southern borders into subarctic latitudes. The article examines the stages of the US development of its Arctic zone and the reasons for the increased interest in it among the American authorities at the present stage. In conclusion, the authors conclude that the Arctic zone for the Arctic states of the Western hemisphere is important both in terms of resources and in terms of security. At the same time, the authors identify significant differences in the positions of the United States and Canada, in particular the inability of the two countries to agree on such key issues as the legal status of the Northwest Passage and the maritime border in the Beaufort Sea. This significantly affects not only their internal capabilities, but also their ability to exercise international leadership in the region. The practical and theoretical significance of the work lies in the fact that the Arctic is strategically important for all countries of the Arctic zone, therefore, the identification of their interests in this region is important both for scientific discourse and in the plane of practical policy.