Multilateral solutions are essential for resolving Arctic disputes, cannot wait for countries to work their issues out bilaterally

Despite the realist orientation of the analysis, this article nevertheless contends that the best course of action to resolve the territorial disputes in the Arctic is through multilateral initiatives on areas of common interest (counter-terror operations, search and rescue, crisis management, etc.) that can result in a political detente among Arctic powers that may incentivize Arctic powers enough to consider the benefits of a formal multilateral agreement. Failure to adopt such an approach will result in a continuation of the current status quo. As noted by the Ilulissat Declaration^17, the Arctic states are , objectively, firmly entrenched in their belief that the current legal system is enough to provide answers to all the Arctic “questions”. Regardless of such belief, there is still no structure to provide orderly development in the unclaimed and disputed Arctic.¹⁸Smith, Angelle C. "Note: Frozen Assets: Ownership of Arctic Mineral Rights Must be Resolved to Prevent the Really Cold War ." George Washington International Law Review. Vol. 41, No. 3 (2011): 651-680. [ More (5 quotes) ] But waiting for the issues to “work themselves out” may not be an option. The Arctic is rapidly changing¹⁹, and with such changes, what was once an inaccessible wasteland may be open to transportation, energy development, military deployments, and political posturing. Absent some multilateral initiatives, the Arctic may become a mad “scramble for territory and resources”.²⁰