Arctic Sovereignty and Geopolitical Dynamics

U.S. President Trump has been talking about wanting to gain control of Greenland, and expand American influence in the Arctic.

It’s a region rich in minerals and oil. It’s also an important potential trade route being opened up by climate change.  

The U.S. is reportedly in talks with Russia about possible collaboration on energy projects there.

This has a lot of people in Canada – from Northern premiers, federal politicians, and members of Canada’s military – worried about our country’s sovereignty and security.

David Pugliese is the longtime military and defence reporter for the Ottawa Citizen. He explains why the Arctic is both so valuable and vulnerable, whether the region’s sovereignty is at risk, and what Canada could do about it.

For transcripts of Front Burner, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/frontburner/transcripts