The Arctic in Political Science: Sovereignty and National Interests in an Era of Emerging Geopolitical Challenges

Abstract

The article aims to identify and analyze the key factors which transform approaches to safeguarding sovereignty and advancing the national interests of the Russian Federation in the Arctic region amid escalating geopolitical tensions. The study is grounded in an interdisciplinary methodology that integrates political, economic, and civilizational analysis, alongside a SWOT framework used to organize the factors shaping the implementation of infrastructure projects as a basis for material sovereignty. The findings reveal a fundamental shift in Arctic international relations, from the cooperative model of the 1990s-2000s to increasing political and military confrontation, evidenced by the suspension of the Arctic Council and intensified NATO military activity in the region. Russia has responded to these emerging challenges through an institutional shift in its approach to Arctic development, moving from the “Northern Sea Route” concept to the broader framework of a “Trans-Arctic Transport Corridor”, and extending its strategic planning horizon to 2050. The study shows that Arctic sovereignty is anchored in three interrelated components: port and coastal infrastructure development, nuclear icebreaker fleet expansion and the establishment of a modern industrial complex. The article contributes theoretically by conceptualizing infrastructural sovereignty in the context of governance in high-latitude regions. The practical significance lies in the potential use 
of these findings to refine strategic planning for the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.