The fourth installment of the Behind the Front Page summer teleconference series focused on the geopolitical and strategic challenges of the Arctic region, which covers 8 percent of the Earth’s surface and is warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet.

The call featured Dr. Michael Byers, Canada Research Chair in Global Politics and International Law at the University of British Columbia, and Dr. Lawson W. Brigham, Distinguished Professor of Geography & Arctic Policy at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Mr. Tim Reilly, co-founder of the Arctic Advisory Group, will moderate.

As the Arctic ice continues to melt, the region is in danger of being catapulted into the forefront of geopolitics, with nations vying for control of 13 percent of the world’s undiscovered oil and 30 percent of its untapped natural gas. Some studies suggest that the Arctic may be completely devoid of ice in the summertime by 2030, which could lead to a host of economic, military, and environmental challenges for the global community. Will the eight member-states of the Arctic Council sacrifice cooperation for individual gain?

Our participants debated and discussed these issues and more.