The Arctic Straits of Canada and Russia
With the melting of Artic ice, comes to the possibility of the opening of the Northwest and Northeast Passages between the Atlantic Ocean and Asia, long sought after by European explorers. These routes are much shorter than those through Panama or Suez, and they have important commercial and industrial potential. They would also enable the development of major oilfields and mineral deposits. But these routes also represent major strategic issues for three Arctic nations, Canada, Russia and the USA. In the case of the USA, freedom of navigation for the US Navy is fundamental. For Canada and Russia, the waters of these straits are part of their internal waters, and therefore are not subject to any right of innocent or transit passage. Geopolitical issues are at the very heart of the dispute between these countries.