01519nas a2200205   4500000000100000000000100001008004100002260000900043653001100052653001000063653001200073653001100085653001300096653002600109100002000135245005000155300001200205490000700217520108900224       2024                            d  c202410aArctic10aChina10aclimate10aRussia10asecurity10astrategic competition1 aRachael Gosnell00aA Divided Arctic: Is an Ice Curtain Emerging?  a129-1420 v233 a<p>The era of Arctic exceptionalism has ended, bringing uncertainty to a region with tremendous strategic and economic potential. With Finland and Sweden joining the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance, the Arctic faces an unprecedented division: around half of the Arctic aligns under the NATO flag, while the other half remains Russian. Climate change is a critical factor driving regional activity, and the warming trends are affecting the region’s economic development, infrastructure, and military activity. With Western sanctions blocking technological and economic cooperation with Russia, China is well-positioned to fill the gap. The “no limits” friendship between Russia and China facilitates increased Chinese investment and presence in a region historically wary of non-Arctic states. This article will examine how climate factors enable both the strengthened ties among like-minded Western Arctic nations and the growing relationship between Russia and China to assess whether a new “ice curtain” is emerging as strategic competition intensifies in the Arctic.</p>