The Arctic Century

Cover
Editor's Pick
Abandoned US WWII And Cold War Military Bases Still Pollute The Arctic
When the US officially entered World War II after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Greenland suddenly became strategically important. There is waste left behind by US troops in more than 33 places in Greenland, represented by rusty oil barrels, toxic substances, explosives, decaying airfields and lots of scrap metal.
1691 words
|
8 minutes
The Arctic Century Is Going on Summer Hiatus
2026-07-16
No Tags
We're taking a short pause for the summer. New publications on arcticcentury.org will resume on Monday, August 3—and our Telegram channel keeps posting twice a week while we're away.
135 words
|
1 minute
Between Internal Market Governance and the Arctic Strategic Turn of the European Union
The 62nd EEA Council barely mentions the Arctic in its conclusions, yet its agenda—security, resilience, energy, critical infrastructure, and fisheries—shows how Arctic concerns are becoming embedded in wider European policy structures.
1686 words
|
8 minutes
Cover: Between Internal Market Governance and the Arctic Strategic Turn of the European Union
Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Stops New Collaborations with the US
The situation with the US has caused the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources to stop new collaborations and trips to the US. Instead, it is focusing on the Kingdom of Denmark and European countries.
912 words
|
5 minutes
Cover: Greenland Institute of Natural Resources Stops New Collaborations with the US
Photo of The North Observer
The North Observer
Since 2009 Finland has become the sick man not only of Northern Europe, but of the entire European Union.
Norwegian National Minorities Unite—We Lose by Fighting Each Other
At this year's Riddu Riđđu festival, Sámi and Kven representatives discussed for the first time joining forces against the state bureaucracy and capital interests threatening the fishing rights at the heart of both cultures.
867 words
|
4 minutes
Cover: Norwegian National Minorities Unite—We Lose by Fighting Each Other
A Difficult Year for Iceland's Aluminum Smelters
Alcoa Fjarðarál is the only aluminum smelter that returned a profit last year, although profits decreased by more than ISK 5 billion year-on-year.
305 words
|
2 minutes
Cover: A Difficult Year for Iceland's Aluminum Smelters
Finns Go Wild over Cheap Swedish Petrol
Sweden slashed fuel taxes in an election year, opening a wide petrol-price gap with neighboring Finland. Finns are flocking across the border to fill up at Tornio, but Customs limits them to 10 liters per vehicle.
568 words
|
3 minutes
Cover: Finns Go Wild over Cheap Swedish Petrol
Denmark Is Once Again Ready to Defend Greenland from the US
US President Donald Trump renewed his showdown with Denmark over Greenland at the NATO summit in Ankara, insisting the United States needs the island for protection. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen countered that Greenland is not for sale and that Denmark is prepared to defend the kingdom.
416 words
|
2 minutes
Cover: Denmark Is Once Again Ready to Defend Greenland from the US
A Review of Chinese Arctic Research 1999–2026
The North Observer reviews 27 years of Chinese Arctic science: 15 completed expeditions since 1999, the North Pole reached in 2023, the first manned deep-sea dive under Arctic ice in 2025—and the limits of a polar fleet that still cannot navigate heavy ice year-round.
3550 words
|
18 minutes
Cover: A Review of Chinese Arctic Research 1999–2026