This episode examines the evolving approach of the UK to security and defence in the Arctic, as the region undergoes significant shifts due to climate change, Russia’s increasingly aggressive foreign policy and military modernisation, and non-Arctic states – notably China – taking an increasing interest in the region’s security.

Dr Duncan Depledge from the International Relations, Politics and History department of Loughborough University and Dr Caroline Kennedy-Pipe, Professor of War Studies at Loughborough, discuss with Dr Neil Melvin, Director, International Security Studies at RUSI, how the UK has sought to upgrade its policies towards the Arctic as a ‘near Arctic state’, and how it has begun to rebuild its security and defence engagement with Arctic partner countries as a result of Russia’s growing strength in the region.