The main problems of the Russian Arctic

The main problems of the Russian Arctic today are the bureaucracy and corruption, the lack of a coherent development strategy, climate, with extremely low population density and an almost complete lack of the transport infrastructure.

Corruption and Beroucrasy

It is clear that the major challenges of the today's Russia, seriously threatening its national security. No less obvious that they can not be resolved at the level of one region or a group of regions. It is extremely difficult for them to address the deep-rooted corruption in the national mentality. We must frankly admit that in the corruption somehow included almost the entire population of the country and a very large part of it is quite happy (even though constantly expressed their dissatisfaction with the status quo). By the way, why is the obvious illusion of the hope individuals Russia solving the problems of the corruption and bureaucracy by separatism? In the end, the same problems just played back at a lower level, squalid and cynical. A perfect example of this is the current Ukraine.

It is also clear that these problems can not be solved purely instrumental and repressive methods, political solutions are needed nationwide scale. A discussion of these solutions is a separate topic, and certainly beyond the scope of the Solovetsky Forum. One can only note that, judging by the results of almost Post-Soviet elections, the progreesive North Russia and democratic South of Russia, which is probably explained by the historical traditions. Accordingly, the North has the potential to become the "vanguard of change". However, as the above example of Ukraine, democracy itself is not a panacea from any adverse of the socio-political and economic events, and even from complete degradation of the state. Democracy is a good way (in the first place - a means of the social control over the power), but it is in any case should not become an end in itself. The minimum, the public should be willing to use the tool and realize what it's for.

The Lack of the Strategy

Together with the previous problem, it is national in the scope. The development strategies are not present at the country as a whole or in the individual industries, institutions and regions. A good example in this case is Serdyukov's military reform. As a result of this reform, the Russian Armed Forces have undergone enormous changes (mostly negative, although there were positive aspects), but is still not known nor any of its authors nor its real purpose, no criteria by which conducted the conversion. During the entire post-Soviet period has not become clear how and why we build aircraft, although now in their construction are invested very heavily.

The most important reason for this situation is, apparently, "uselessness" of the current state of the Russian majority of its population and the elite. A very large part of the population and the elite are the patriots of the USSR and Russia seen it as an unfortunate mistake. Another, not very big, but an influential part of the population and the elite is fully oriented to the West, to which Russia (and previously the Soviet Union) is also seen it as an unfortunate mistake. Especially not satisfied with the current Russian nationalist supporters of the various projects, both Russian and anti-Russian. As a result, the role of the formal Russian patriots serves mainly the current bureaucratic elite, which, in the fact, is focused primarily on the personal enrichment and gave birth to the major national problems mentioned above. If a country is, in the fact, no one wants, and then there is no one to create for the strategy.

Another reason for the lack of the strategy is the rapid drop in the level of the research and education in the country, and it started in the Soviet Union. An example is the Russian military science, which today, with rare exceptions, not only capable of the creating new concepts, but al- most lost the ability even to analyze the foreign. Moreover, even the descriptive function of the military science is almost done (with the exception of a few technical issues). In fact, most of the works in the field of the military science in Russia do not have to do with science and propaganda. The level is quite low.

Given the emerging trends in education, the situation in this area will only get worse. However, the scientific institutions of the North Russia can refute these trends by developing a coherent and consistent strategy for the development of the Russian Arctic. The fact that its implementation will face a major national problems (corruption and bureaucracy), is no reason to not develop a strategy.

With regard to the document entitled "Strategy for the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation and national security for the period up to 2020", which appeared in February from city, it is extremely difficult to consider strategy. Over the past few years in Russia, there was a set of the similar documents written " for all the good things against the bad things," without distinguishing the real priorities (priority if two dozen arranged in any order, so there is no priority at all) without the mechanisms and timing of the (formally they are, in fact – are not because of the extreme generality and vagueness of all the provisions and criteria) and the responsible persons. This document may not be the guiding and normative. There is a strong suspicion that after a year of it just no one will remember.

Climate

This is the specific regional problem, which, however, concerns a very large part of the country. In fact, because of the cold climate of the gigantic proportions in Russia are largely virtual. This is particularly evident in the Asian part of the country, where almost the entire population and almost the entire economy is concentrated in a narrow strip along the border. If we consider the favorite author of the military theme, it may be noted that to the east of Lake Baikal, develops a tragic paradox. In the case of Chinese aggression in the formal Russian troops have a huge strategic depth to retreat (several thousand kilometers to the coast of the Arctic Ocean). In fact, there is no depth because of the almost complete absence of the north of the line of the BAM infrastructure and exceptionally adverse climatic conditions. Accordingly, the entire inhabited area is lost almost immediately without the possibility of the return, and the troops destined for a quick death.

On the other hand, complain about the climate is rather pointless, since it did not create man. The possibility of human influence on the climate is extremely limited, and this effect is almost always very negative for the individual. The place in the recent years, climate change in the

Arctic (and formally in the favorable direction) becomes less of a problem than the "traditional" climate that took place over the last few centuries. In the future, these changes can be a challenge to all of the humanity, considering how the Arctic affects the climate on a global scale, and the climate, in the turn, affects the state of the biosphere.

Thus, the climate is desirable to be taken for granted and look for the opportunities to use it for the constructive purposes. Otherwise, discuss the problems of the Arctic in the general meaning.

Low population density

This problem is a direct consequence of the previous one, so the solution is not entirely dependent on the person. Moreover, it is hardly possible even enshrined in the Arctic at least of the population that already lives there.

Well known that in Moscow and other major Russian cities have the problem of "Siberian apartments". They bought the inhabitants of the northern and eastern regions of "the future", that is, to live in their retirement and / or for children, beginning with their college-age. They bought the inhabitants of the northern and eastern regions of "the future", that is, to live in their retirement and / or for children, beginning with their college-age. The demand for these apartments increases in the property prices in big cities, not only directly but also indirectly, since a large part of them is empty, ie, the output of the existing housing stock. As a rule, buyers of these apartments are the most affluent residents and equipped the northern regions such as Khanty-Mansiysk and Yamal. Thus, even very high by Russian standards, salaries and very good living and social conditions can not get people to connect their future with the North. Obviously, the main if not the only reason for this is the climate.

Apparently, this situation should be taken as a given. Scope for improving the living conditions for the economically active population in the Arctic, knowing that people are closer to retirement will still move "to the mainland". Also, it is desirable to somehow stimulate the return of young people in the North who have graduated from universities in the rest of Russia or abroad, and strengthen the local higher education. In the connection with this illusory submitted projects to create the North new "innovative cities". Such artificially imposed projects will absorb huge funds, which are notoriously never being repaid and will not solve any problems. It is much better to spend money to improve conditions in the existing settlements.

Transport

This issue is crucial for the Arctic, without any prospect of its solutions in the region not to continue its sluggish dying, except for oil and gas development. However, even their prospects are not clear, given the "shale revolution" in the United States and other countries importing hydrocarbons. Saving at least the current settlements, not to mention the creation of the new cities, the exploitation of the current and the development of the new mineral deposits are not possible with the current state of the transport infrastructure, ie, its virtual absence.

In addition, Russia has huge theoretical transit potential, and for all the modes of the transport (air, sea and river, rail, truck). There should also be involved in the Arctic region. Some experts believe that Russia has already missed the chance to make use of this potential [1]. However, you must make an attempt to change the situation, the more so as it was ska shown above, it is necessary mainly for the domestic use.

First of all, we are talking about the development of SMEs. It should be as convenient for the commercial shipping (domestic and foreign) in the navigation, and in the economic terms. Apparently, you need a special law or series of the laws on the NSR. Must take into account the sad experience of the Trans entire transit potential is destroyed by the complexity of the procedures.

It is much more difficult, but necessary project is the construction of a railroad along the Arctic coast, which would be a "backup" of the NSR. In the short term (up to 2030), through the use of the existing sites, it is necessary to focus on the construction of the road Murmansk -Norilsk (Dudinka). Bring the road to Anadyr unlikely even by 2050 the more so in this way requires a minimum of four drainage to the south - chronically unfinished Belkomur not even started on the road to Krasnoyarsk and Norilsk from Tiksi and from Anadyr (via Magadan) to Yakutsk. However, the construction of these roads is needed. Of course, this is an extremely complex and very expensive project, but without all the talk about the development of the Arctic and the Far East are no more than demagogy. Moreover, considerable efforts and tightened claims to the territory of the United States and China, as Russia is ever more will act as a "dog in the manger" in the conditions of the increasing scarcity of the resources.

New transport infrastructure – is the only factor to not only fix for the Russian Arctic and the current city and the objects of the economy over the Arctic, but also create a new "points of growth" in the region.

Military forces of the Russian Federation in the Arctic

The question of the possibility of a military confrontation in the Arctic, the author has considered the report of the Solovetsky Forum in 2011 [2]. It has been shown that the probability of such a confrontation is very low, but that it remained equally low, the Russian military capabilities in the region should be maintained at least at current levels.

Of course, the basis of the potential of the Northern Fleet, but it is, in the essence, not so much the Arctic as the Atlantic. Obviously, this situation will continue in the future. In addition, it performs the function of a national nuclear deterrent, which is not directly related to the defense of the Arctic. Apparently, you need to create all along the Arctic coast of Russia basing points of the Navy, but it is clear that the permanent naval groups in them will not be deployed. There simply are not enough resources. Especially as surface ships, designed for the action is in the Arctic should be reinforced hull, which would further strengthen the value of their construction. Thus now for Russia would be much more important to restore at least the "traditional" fleet than trying to build more and a special Arctic fleet.

It is therefore necessary accommodation along the Arctic coast of the Arctic 5-7 teams BC (potential points of the dislocation - the Kola Peninsula, the area of Arkhangelsk - Severodvinsk, Salekhard, and Yamal region, Norilsk, Dudinka, Tiksi, and Chukotka). Formally, this project has aready voiced by the Ministry of Defence, but so far, apparently, as long as it does not itself fully understands what it meant. Obviously, only for the teams on the Kola Peninsula and Chukotka will have at least the theoretical possibility of the participating in the combat operations on their territory defense. The remaining teams will carry more symbolic function, which, however, is very important. First, the abnormal situation will be resolved when the huge extent on the Arctic coast of Russia "open wide". Although the probability of it landing on the enemy troops close to zero, this does not mean that it should not be protected. Second, it will have taken an important politically symbolic gesture to secure the Arctic for Russia. Third, is that the military units themselves can become "points of growth", attracting population, economy and infrastructure.

In the addition to the Arctic brigades in the same paragraphs desirable placement of air defense forces, not only RTV, but also SMP and fighter aircraft. It would be anti-aircraft missile regiments of S-300P, consisting of 1-2 divisions, as well as groups (level 1-2) fighter-interceptor MiG-31 are deployed in the Arctic airfields on a rotating basis. Together with the Arctic brigades of ground forces that would be enough to ensure not only the military security of the Arctic region, but also it’s political "fix" for Russia.

Conclusions

The current development of the Russian Arctic de facto completely tied to the production of hydrocarbons. However, the extreme technical complexity of this process in the local climatic conditions, stringent the environmental requirements and unfavorable external conditions make such a policy is very doubtful. The basis of the Russian Arctic strategy should be, first, the development of transport infrastructure, and second, securing the region's economically active popula- tion, and thirdly, strengthening the military capabilities in the region. Especially that without these three things, after all, is no longer feasible production of the hydrocarbons.