There's a 'Sea Change' in the Arctic. Writer Rana Foroohar explains : NPR

Key Points:

• Melting Arctic ice is opening new shipping lanes, making the region a focal point for superpower competition, with routes across the North Pole becoming navigable for two to three weeks annually, potentially reducing transit time between the Atlantic and Pacific by up to 40%.
• China and Russia are actively seeking to assert dominance over the Arctic, which contains valuable resources such as oil, natural gas, rare earth minerals, and critical underwater cables that facilitate global communications, raising concerns about militarization and commercial control.
• The U.S. has not ratified the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, leading to a less regulated and more contested environment in the Arctic, where international rules are inconsistently followed, especially by Russia and China.
• The Arctic power struggle reflects a broader global shift from globalization to regionalization and spheres of influence, with similar conflicts over territory and resources occurring worldwide, making the High North a strategic bellwether for future geostrategic tensions.
• Climate change is causing significant environmental shifts in the Arctic, impacting ecosystems and weather patterns far beyond the region, underscoring the interconnectedness of the High North’s changes with global climate effects.