The Arctic houses approximately 30% of the world's undiscovered natural gas and 15% of oil. However, most of it (84%) is offshore and lies beneath the Arctic Ocean. This makes it challenging to access and extract.

Fun fact: The North Pole ice cap has reduced by 40% since 1979! Now that's a big meltdown!

The melting of the ice cap is stirring a military race. USA and Russia are prime competitors for the Arctic's valuable resources, which includes not just gas and oil, but also two major shipping lanes.

Real-world example: Think of the Arctic like a huge treasure box that's slowly being revealed as the ice melts away. Everyone wants a piece of it!

The Arctic Council, an intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic states, consists of eight members: Canada, Denmark, Norway, Iceland, Finland, Sweden, Russia, and the USA.

Remember: These eight members all have a vested interest in the Arctic region!

Russia's government is investing in socio-economic development, including establishing naval bases for protecting its oil and gas facilities in the Arctic. Russian oil companies are also exploring the Arctic region as the country's traditional oil fields decline.

Trivia time: Did you know that in 2013, Russia granted its energy giants Gazprom and Rosneft the rights to explore large hydrocarbon deposits in the Pechora and Kara seas?

Despite the challenges of the extreme Arctic environment, countries are rushing to establish their dominance there, which is evident from the increasing military presence. The USA is also making strategic plans for the region.

There have been many conflicts over control of oil and natural gas assets worldwide, not just in the Middle East. Countries like Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Ukraine are some examples.

Remember: Oil and gas are major income sources for governments and corporations. Access to these resources determines strength and power on the global stage!

Historical disputes often develop into struggles to control these valuable assets. This has led to conflicts like the Iran/Iraq War (1980–1988), the Gulf War (1990–1991), and the Sudanese Civil War (1983–2005).

The Islamic State (ISIS), a Sunni extremist group, controls oil-producing areas in Syria and oil-refining facilities in Iraq, funding its military actions.

Real-world example: ISIS is kind of like a villain from a comic book, using the resources it controls (in this case, oil) to fund its evil plans.

Conflicts like these make it difficult for countries that depend on Middle Eastern oil. Reduced investment in these areas threatens future supplies.