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[Engell]

The claim includes both the Mendeleev and Lomonosov Ridges, two major structures beneath the Arctic Ocean.

“… the claim determinating the outer borders of the continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean is based on the scientific understanding that the central Arctic underwater ridges, among them the Lomonosov, Medeleev, Alfa and Chukotskoye Heights, as well as the in between basins of Podvodnikov and Chukotskaya, have a continental character”, an offical statement, refered to by RIA Novosti, reads.

It will now be up to the UN Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf to decide if Russia should be entitled to include the huge additional areas under its sovereignty. The Commission confirms that “the consideration of the partial revised submission made by the Russian Federation will be included in the provisional agenda of the next ordinary session”, the Commission website informs.

http://barentsobserver.com/en/arctic/2015/08/russia-submits-claim-north-pole-04-08

What do you guys think?, apparently the underwater Lomonosov ridge goes trough both Canadian and Danish territory(who also made claims on parts of the North Pole).
I would also think that any "science" done by a country who has any interest in a specific outcome should be triple checked.

But personally I just think the area should be left alone as the only interest any country can have is to rape it for resources. Also how would you feel about Santa being Russian...


Put me on Santa's naughty list if old.

 

[BronsonLee]

They want the high ground, stop them!

 

[Johndoey]

Rise of the Guardians called it.

 

[Admiral Woofington]

Santa be putin imperialistic american pig children in naughty list now.

 

[Black Republican]

bruh

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

keep it untouchable by anyone

whoever owns it will only exploit and ruin it (even moreso then we're already doing via greenhouse gases)

 

[Engell]

another problem would be that since this is a UN decision, Russia could just VETO any other claim to the area

 

[Grover Cleveland]

No you can't have Santa, Putin damnit.

 

[Sir_Crocodile]

another problem would be that since this is a UN decision Russia could just VETO any other claim to the area

good!

 

[teruterubozu]

Let them have it.

 

[Protome]

another problem would be that since this is a UN decision, Russia could just VETO any other claim to the area

That's the ideal scenario. Other UN members veto Russian claims, Russia vetoes everyone else's claims. Nobody gets it.

 

[ClosingADoor]

I hope they never resolve it and leave the area alone.

If anyone needs to get it, I rather trust Denmark or Norway with it then the other countries.

 

[SliceSabre]

Nobody should be able to claim it because whatever country claims it would ruin what's left of it. There is not a single country on this planet that wouldn't ruin it. It wouldn't be any safer in Canada, Norway or Denmark's hands.

 

[diggmcbadass]

Nobody should be able to claim it because whatever country claims it would ruin what's left of it. There is not a single country on this planet that wouldn't ruin it. It wouldn't be any safer in Canada, Norway or Denmark's hands.

We'd drill the shit out of it. It is generally what we do under water. I know it's bad, but that sweet, sweet oil needs to fund my pension.

 

[antonz]

This is Russia just trying to get recognition for what they have already claimed. If UN says no Russia doesnt give a shit as it already views it as its territory.

 

[Parch]

Canada also has claim. Has for decades. Alert, Nunavut is the closest permanently inhabited place to the North Pole. (508 miles). The weather station was established in 1950. Canadian Forces Station Alert was established in 1958 and is the closest airport to the North Pole. I know a few guys who did the supply run to Alert.

 

[Panthalassic]

Took a class in Arctic Environment last semester. Apparently they do this every so often. It never works.

 

[nortonff]

I claim it too.
Bring it on, Russia!

 

[Fury451]

It begins...

 

[Pagusas]

I wonder if land wars will start up again.

 

[ultratruman]

If Russia can landgrab in Europe, they can landgrab the Arctic. Don't kid yourself that the UN can control anything like this situation. The UN can't even stop genocide.

 

[HighResTomato]

If Russia can landgrab in Europe, they can landgrab the Arctic. Don't kid yourself that the UN can control anything like this situation. The UN can't even stop genocide.

Russia seen Chappelle show.

 

[Turin Turambar]

That's the ideal scenario. Other UN members veto Russian claims, Russia vetoes everyone else's claims. Nobody gets it.

Everyone want the possible resources (oil) in there. Most surely, they will divide it up between the neighbouring countries. It's a question of how gets the biggest piece.

 

[Nivash]

For those interested in getting the basics on the Arctic territorial claims debate down, check out this wiki page as a start:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terri...ontinental_Shelf_Claims:_2006.E2.80.93present

In summary you typically can't claim seabed, you get territorial waters and an exclusive economic zone, the latter stretching 200 nautical miles from each nation's respective coastline. However, the ratification of the UNCLOS allowed nations to make "extended continental shelves" claims that allows them exclusive rights to resources in and under - but not above - the seabed in the claimed territory. Canada, Denmark, Norway and Russia have all ratified the treaty and have launched projects to determine if they can make such claims. The US has not yet ratified the treaty. If or when it does it will have 10 years to make similar claims.

The Arctic could easily become conflict zone, there are massive economic stakes and conflicting claims. Because it's so far away from any population center standard nuclear deterrence might not apply. The main deterrence for Russia is that it is completely unable to challenge the allied NATO navies, even if most of the Arctic is within range for their naval aviation assets which somewhat evens the score in the air. Still, triggers are much happier on the high seas. Iceland and the UK almost came to blows several times over fishing rights - despite them basically being allied nations. Take the billions of tons of fossil fuels under the arctic and the already strained Russia-NATO relationship into account and all bets are off.

 

[DD]

Let them have it. Then we start using clean energy and they can shove that oil up their asses, and we save the planet in the processes. That might be the little pushing the world needs.

 

[Bisnic]

Russia is the biggest country in the world, maybe they're afraid Canada might beat them if they grab the North Pole, so they want to do it before them? Although, the north pole isn't a mass of land like the south pole and Antartica, so i guess it doesn't really count...

Joke failed. ._.

 

[thiscoldblack]

Maybe the corrupt side of the government can move and stay there.

 

[QuicheFontaine]

lol they fucked up and put a Bulgarian flag down there

 

[MogCakes]

Isn't there a state of no-man's land on the poles? For starters it's impossible to build a self-sustaining society up there and Russia has plenty of land as it is.

 

[Abounder]

If Russia can landgrab in Europe, they can landgrab the Arctic. Don't kid yourself that the UN can control anything like this situation. The UN can't even stop genocide.

Russia basically leads the way in arctic vessels so they definitely have the power here

 

[Nivash]

Let them have it. Then we start using clean energy and they can shove that oil up their asses, and we save the planet in the processes. That might be the little pushing the world needs.

Canada and Norway are also oil-based economies, like Russia. So that's three nations with massive interests and conflicting claims already. Denmark would surely like a piece of that action too which is why they also have conflicting claims.

Just saying, this isn't really a "let them have it" situation - NATO is already heavily involved here. Neither Canada nor Norway is likely to back off and both can invoke article 5 if things escalate.

Isn't there a state of no-man's land on the poles? For starters it's impossible to build a self-sustaining society up there and Russia has plenty of land as it is.

Yes and no. The islands up there are claimed and uncontested save for Hans Island (contested between Canada and Denmark) which puts the bulk of the Arctic under the international waters category - most of it is just floating ice, you can't claim that. It's not like the Antarctic that is an actual continent which the world has agreed to not claim. But the UNCLOS treaty changed the status of the Arctic seabed as I mentioned above. So while the floating ice and the surrounding waters remain uncontested, the race for the resource rich seabed is very much on.

 

[Oppo]

fuck off Russia. you guys are just getting way too greedy.

literally the only thing I agree with Harper on, is that the current Russian regime can eat a dick.

 

[kottila]

Russia is LTTP. Denmark laid claim to the north pole last year http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-30481309