Political security in the Barents Region

Abstract

Political security is a crucial component of human security. The concept underlies and crosscuts all other aspects of human security. However, it is also poorly defined and the topic is not well addressed from a Barents perspective. In this regard, the purpose of the following analysis is to define and assess contemporary political security challenges in the Barents Region. In this assessment, the study more specifically argues that political security is intertwined with democracy and human rights but that some issues and concerns subsist in the Barents Region notably in relation to the respect and protection of the rights of citizens, the rights of indigenous peoples and the preservation of the peace and security in the region following the impacts of the Ukrainian crisis.