Russia’s new national security strategy, which analysed security threats up to 2020, identified the intensifying battle for ownership of vast untapped oil and gas fields around its borders as a source of potential military conflict within a decade. The document states that use of military cannot be ruled out “to resolve emerging problems that would destroy the balance of forces near the borders of Russia and her allies.” Stating that it is not "militarising the Arctic,” Moscow asserted that it is willing to defend its interests by force if necessary, even as global warming makes exploitation of the region's energy riches more feasible.

The United States, Norway, Canada and Denmark are among countries challenging Russia's claim to a section of the Arctic shelf. An earlier document had declared the Arctic a strategic resource for Russia and that development of its energy reserves by 2020 was a vital national objective.

The strategy states that struggle over energy resources would increasingly dominate international relations and identifies the Barents Sea and Central Asia, as possible areas of friction1.

• 1. “Russia warns of war within a decade over Artic oil and gas riches,” Times, May 14, 2009, at http://www.ecoearth.info/shared/reader/welcome.aspx?linkid=127454