ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of key concepts discussed in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book written by a group of leading experts on Arctic affairs, is unique in providing a comprehensive scholarly analysis of contemporary geopolitics and international security in the north. It aims to identify the conditions for cooperation, stability and peace in the Arctic. The book focuses on Norwegian and Russian foreign and security policies. It inspires by the concept of geopolitics in its broadest sense. The book analyses the arguments with a view to identifying factors enabling peace and stability. It addresses international environmental governance and Arctic security. The book explains economic value of Arctic oil and gas, Dag Harald Claes and Arild Moe argue by geological factors, climatic conditions and technical solutions enabling exploration in the region, but also factors compare with the opportunities, costs and risks in other oil and gas regions.
