How to avoid anarchy in Antarctica

All that stands between the status quo and chaos is a fragile treaty.

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Antarctica is the only continent unbloodied by war. For over six decades peace on the frozen land mass has been kept by the Antarctic Treaty, an agreement signed in 1959 at the height of the Cold War that established it as a demilitarised scientific preserve.

But much like its ice sheet, the system governing Antarctica is in trouble as global warming opens up the possibility of mining virgin resources.

Seven countries, including Britain, Argentina, Australia and Norway, have territorial claims over the Antarctic. The carve-up of the continent reflects the world of the early 1900s: Britain, the naval hegemon at the time, and its former colonies grabbed almost 60 per cent. Norway, whose explorers were first to the South Pole, took a bit less than 20 per cent.

These claims do not reflect today's geopolitical balance and are rejected by other powers such as China, which feels that it was squeezed out of the original scramble for Antarctica. Nor are they recognised by America and Russia, which both reserve the right to make future claims.