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Importance of the Arctic in the Framework of Air Power Theory

Year 2021, Volume: 3 Issue: 1 (Arktik Özel Sayısı), 51 - 73, 19.04.2021

Abstract

At first, the Arctic is regarded as inaccessible and unproductive because of its geographical and climatic characteristics stemming from its location. However, despite the perception provoked by these geographical disadvantages, the melting of the thick ice mass on its surface in recent years, aside from its geopolitical significance, has led this region to come to the fore in international politics. The melting in the Arctic has not only allowed natural resources that were previously not feasible for operating to become accessible, but it has also enabled alternative transport routes to be discovered. These resources, and the Arctic’s unique position in the northernmost part of the world allowing shortening distances, have led to the need to look at the Arctic region with a fresh eye. Unlike the well-established perception that the Earth lies along with the East-West direction, air power theorists, in particular, assert that looking at the Earth from the northernmost, that is, from the Arctic region, would significantly alter our perception of direction and distance by shortening distances considerably. Such a way of looking brings the Arctic region to the forefront, moving the Heartland to this region in the framework of air power, and making it the focus of the global struggle.

References

  • Castagna, JoAnne. “Things are looking up at Arctic Air Base.” U.S. Air Force, January 17, 2018. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1417030/things-are-looking-up-at-arctic-air-base/.
  • Chapman, Bert. Geopolitics: A Guide to the Issues. California: Praeger, 2011.
  • Connolly, Gerald E.. “NATO and Security in the Arctic.” NATO, October 7, 2017. https://www.nato-pa.int/download-file?filename=%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2017-11%2F2017%20-%20172%20PCTR%2017%20E%20rev.1%20fin%20-%20NATO%20AND%20SECURITY%20IN%20THE%20ARCTIC.pdf.
  • Dadwal, Shebonti Ray. “Arctic: The Next Great Game in Energy Geopolitics?.” Strategic Analysis 38, no. 6 (2014): 812-824.
  • Davutoğlu, Ahmet. Stratejik Derinlik. 95th. edition, İstanbul: Küre Yayınları, 2014.
  • Douhet, Giulio. The Command of The Air. Washington, D.C.: Air Force History and Museums Program, 1998.
  • Erokan, İslam. “Merkator Projeksiyonu.” Harita Dergisi 26, no. 61 (1960): 5-15. https://www.harita.gov.tr/images/dergi/makaleler/70fcb77e6349f44.pdf.
  • Goldstein, Joshua S., and Pevehouse, Jon C.. Uluslararası İlişkiler. 2nd. edition, Ankara: BB101 Yayınları, 2017.
  • Kaplan, Robert D.. The Revenge of Geography. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2013.
  • Lambeth, Benjamin S.. “Air Power, Space Power and Geography.” Journal of Strategic Studies 22, no. 2-3, (1999): 63-82.
  • Lopez, C. Todd. “Air Force Reveals Cold Facts on New Arctic Strategy.” U.S. Dept. Of Defence, July 21, 2020. https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2281961/air-force-reveals-cold-facts-on-new-arctic-strategy/.
  • Meilinger, Phillip S.. “Proselytiser and Prophet: Alexander P. de Seversky and American Airpower.” Journal of Strategic Studies 18, no. 1 (1995): 7-35.
  • O’Rourke, Ronald et al.. “Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress.” Congressional Research Service, 2020.
  • Özey, Ramazan, and Kocalar, Ali Osman, Siyasi Coğrafya. 19th. edition, İstanbul: Aktif Yayıncılık, 2019.
  • Renner, George T.. Human Geography in the Air Age. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1942.
  • Seversky, Alexander P. de. Air Power: Key to Survival. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1950.
  • Sørensen, Camilla T. N.. “Changing Geopolitical Realities in The Arctic Region: Possibilities and Challenges for Relations Between Denmark and China.” Newsletter for Center for Polar and Oceanic Studies 3, no. 2 (2014): 2-7. https://pure.fak.dk/files/7289274/Tongji_article._Arctic_region..pdf.
  • Strandsbjerg, Jeppe. “Cartography and Geopolitics in the Arctic Region.” DIIS Working Paper, no. 20, 2010.
  • Şener, Bülent. Jeopolitik: Uluslararası İlişkilerde İnsan, Devlet, Coğrafya ve Zaman Etkileşimi Üzerine Bir Giriş. Ankara: Barış Kitabevi, 2017.
  • Tamnes, Rolf, and Offerdal, Kristine. “Introduction.” in Geopolitics and Security in the Arctic, edited by Rolf Tamnes and Kristine Offerdal, 1-12. New York: Routledge, 2014.
  • Tremoglie, Christopher. “Arctic Geopolitics Reconsidered: Pathways to Conflict and Cooperation.” CUREJ: College Undergraduate Research Electronic Journal, University of Pennsylvania, (June 2020). https://repository.upenn.edu/curej/250.
  • Warden, John A.. “Strategy and Airpower.” Air & Space Power Journal 25, no. 1 (2011): 64-77.

Importance of the Arctic in the Framework of Air Power Theory

Year 2021, Volume: 3 Issue: 1 (Arktik Özel Sayısı), 51 - 73, 19.04.2021

Abstract

Arktik, konumunun neden olduğu coğrafi ve iklimsel özellikler dolayısıyla ilk bakışta erişilemez ve verimsiz olarak görülmektedir. Ancak bu coğrafi dezanvantajalarının neden olduğu algıya rağmen bulunduğu konumun verdiği jeopolitik önemin yanı sıra son yıllarda üzerindeki kalın buz kütlesinin erimesi de uluslararası politikada ön plana çıkmasına neden olmuştur. Söz konusu erime bir taraftan daha önce işletilmesi fizibil olamayan doğal kaynakların erişilebilir hale gelmesini sağlarken, diğer taraftan da yeni ulaşım yollarının açığa çıkmasını sağlamıştır. Gerek söz konusu kaynaklar gerekse dünyanın en kuzeyinde yer almasının sağladığı mesafeleri kısıtlması gibi unsurlar Arktik’e farklı bir gözle bakılması zaruriyetini doğurmuştur. Özellikle Hava Hakimiyeti teorisyenleri yerleşik algı olan dünyanın doğu-batı yönünde uzandığı görüşünün aksine, dünyaya üstten, yani Arktik bölgesinden bakışın mesafeleri önemli oranda kısaltarak yön ve mesafe algımızı büyük ölçüde değiştireceğini iddia etmektedirler. Böyle bir bakış Arktik bölgesini ön plana çıkarak, Hava Hakimiyeti çerçevesinde kalpgahı (Heartland) bu bölgeye taşımakta ve küresel mücadelenin odağı haline getirmektedir.

References

  • Castagna, JoAnne. “Things are looking up at Arctic Air Base.” U.S. Air Force, January 17, 2018. https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1417030/things-are-looking-up-at-arctic-air-base/.
  • Chapman, Bert. Geopolitics: A Guide to the Issues. California: Praeger, 2011.
  • Connolly, Gerald E.. “NATO and Security in the Arctic.” NATO, October 7, 2017. https://www.nato-pa.int/download-file?filename=%2Fsites%2Fdefault%2Ffiles%2F2017-11%2F2017%20-%20172%20PCTR%2017%20E%20rev.1%20fin%20-%20NATO%20AND%20SECURITY%20IN%20THE%20ARCTIC.pdf.
  • Dadwal, Shebonti Ray. “Arctic: The Next Great Game in Energy Geopolitics?.” Strategic Analysis 38, no. 6 (2014): 812-824.
  • Davutoğlu, Ahmet. Stratejik Derinlik. 95th. edition, İstanbul: Küre Yayınları, 2014.
  • Douhet, Giulio. The Command of The Air. Washington, D.C.: Air Force History and Museums Program, 1998.
  • Erokan, İslam. “Merkator Projeksiyonu.” Harita Dergisi 26, no. 61 (1960): 5-15. https://www.harita.gov.tr/images/dergi/makaleler/70fcb77e6349f44.pdf.
  • Goldstein, Joshua S., and Pevehouse, Jon C.. Uluslararası İlişkiler. 2nd. edition, Ankara: BB101 Yayınları, 2017.
  • Kaplan, Robert D.. The Revenge of Geography. New York: Random House Trade Paperbacks, 2013.
  • Lambeth, Benjamin S.. “Air Power, Space Power and Geography.” Journal of Strategic Studies 22, no. 2-3, (1999): 63-82.
  • Lopez, C. Todd. “Air Force Reveals Cold Facts on New Arctic Strategy.” U.S. Dept. Of Defence, July 21, 2020. https://www.defense.gov/Explore/News/Article/Article/2281961/air-force-reveals-cold-facts-on-new-arctic-strategy/.
  • Meilinger, Phillip S.. “Proselytiser and Prophet: Alexander P. de Seversky and American Airpower.” Journal of Strategic Studies 18, no. 1 (1995): 7-35.
  • O’Rourke, Ronald et al.. “Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress.” Congressional Research Service, 2020.
  • Özey, Ramazan, and Kocalar, Ali Osman, Siyasi Coğrafya. 19th. edition, İstanbul: Aktif Yayıncılık, 2019.
  • Renner, George T.. Human Geography in the Air Age. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1942.
  • Seversky, Alexander P. de. Air Power: Key to Survival. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1950.
  • Sørensen, Camilla T. N.. “Changing Geopolitical Realities in The Arctic Region: Possibilities and Challenges for Relations Between Denmark and China.” Newsletter for Center for Polar and Oceanic Studies 3, no. 2 (2014): 2-7. https://pure.fak.dk/files/7289274/Tongji_article._Arctic_region..pdf.
  • Strandsbjerg, Jeppe. “Cartography and Geopolitics in the Arctic Region.” DIIS Working Paper, no. 20, 2010.
  • Şener, Bülent. Jeopolitik: Uluslararası İlişkilerde İnsan, Devlet, Coğrafya ve Zaman Etkileşimi Üzerine Bir Giriş. Ankara: Barış Kitabevi, 2017.
  • Tamnes, Rolf, and Offerdal, Kristine. “Introduction.” in Geopolitics and Security in the Arctic, edited by Rolf Tamnes and Kristine Offerdal, 1-12. New York: Routledge, 2014.
  • Tremoglie, Christopher. “Arctic Geopolitics Reconsidered: Pathways to Conflict and Cooperation.” CUREJ: College Undergraduate Research Electronic Journal, University of Pennsylvania, (June 2020). https://repository.upenn.edu/curej/250.
  • Warden, John A.. “Strategy and Airpower.” Air & Space Power Journal 25, no. 1 (2011): 64-77.
There are 22 citations in total.

Details

Primary Language English
Subjects International Relations
Journal Section Articles
Authors

Selim Kurt 0000-0002-0462-5791

Publication Date April 19, 2021
Submission Date December 16, 2020
Acceptance Date February 1, 2021
Published in Issue Year 2021 Volume: 3 Issue: 1 (Arktik Özel Sayısı)

Cite

Chicago Kurt, Selim. “Importance of the Arctic in the Framework of Air Power Theory”. International Journal of Politics and Security 3, no. 1 (Arktik Özel Sayısı) (April 2021): 51-73.

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