Polar Geopolitics

Is the Antarctic Treaty System obsolete, and could it collapse in the near future? Dr. Elizabeth Buchanan of the Australian National University explains why she is concerned that the increasing great power interest and Antarctic activity—ostensibly in the name of science—could jeopardize the almost 60-year-old ATS, and even lead to conflict if the Treaty is not updated to reflect current geopolitical realities. She also discusses Australia’s precarious situation as the state with the largest Antarctic claim (frozen under the ATS), which includes the ‘Dome A’ area where China has recently applied to create a Specially Managed Area around its Kunlun Station located there at the strategic highest point of the continent.