Fear from Russia drives NATO further north to the Arctic: 19FortyFive

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: 19fortyfive
13 Nov 2022 19:57

The 19fortyfive newsletter writes that NATO has significantly increased its military activity in the Arctic region to match the alleged increased military presence of Moscow in the region, which caused growing concern and fear.

NATO increased military activity in the Arctic amid fears from Russia. (Getty Images)

The US 19fortyfive newsletter said the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has significantly increased its military activity in the Arctic region over growing concerns about Russia's alleged actions in that region.

According to the website, "It appears that the US Navy and Royal Navy are currently sending their aircraft carriers as a sign that they are closely monitoring Moscow's actions in the region," completely disregarding what they could actually be there for.

The article added that NATO is increasingly concerned about Russia and its actions in the Arctic, mentioning that by sending the carrier that far north, the Royal Navy sought “to push the boundaries of UK carrier operations in the cold, harsh environment,” the ship’s commanding officer said.

The US and British navies, two of the alliance's strongest, have also confirmed their renewed interest in the region with a greater presence in the north, most notably with the significant deployments of their aircraft carriers.

Last August, the United States announced the establishment of the position of Arctic ambassador to boost diplomatic efforts.

In this context, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg declared that cooperation between Russia and China in the Arctic poses a strategic challenge to the values and interests of the alliance, noting that "Russia has significantly increased its military activity in recent years, setting up a new Arctic Command, opening hundreds of new and former Soviet-era Arctic military sites, including airfields and deep-water ports, and using the region as test-bed for the novel weapon system."

In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stated that Russia sees the Arctic as an opportunity for stable cooperation, not as an arena for geopolitical intrigue.