Book Description

"Barents Russia" is the far northwestern corner of the Russian Federation, bordering on the Barents Sea and the affluent Nordic countries. It is a region full of natural resources - petroleum, fish, minerals, etc - much of which is yet to be exploited. The region is heavily influenced by the Cold War and 70 years of Soviet central planning, with heavy industry concentrated in "company-towns", and with a strong military presence. The region also houses some serious threats to a vulnerable Arctic environment. The ten past years have brought historic changes in Barents Russia and in the relations between this region and the world around it. Yet, the next couple of decades may bring even more profound changes, the direction of which is hard to predict. Much hangs in the balance, ranging from the supply of oil and gas to the world market to broader political issues such as the future for democracy and the rule of law, the protection of the environment, the integration into world trade and the old favourite topic of the high north - the strategic balance. This book presents three plausible but provoking scenarios for the future of Barents Russia: "Big Oil Playground", "Russian Bear Preserve" or "European Periphery", and will hopefully contribute to increased attention and deeper understanding of the forces and actors that will shape the region. The aim is for the scenarios to provoke new insights about change dynamics, opportunities and challenges, and to serve as a backdrop for public planning, corporate strategy making and more. Book jacket.