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The German Arctic Policy
Nguyenová, Thi Khanh Ly ; Handl, Vladimír (advisor) ; Hornát, Jan (referee)
The thesis deals with Germany's Arctic policy in the last decade and focuses on its security dimension. The Arctic region has undergone many changes in recent years due to climate change and the new geopolitical situation, including a change in the security situation. Based on the concepts of civilian power and securitization, the thesis examines whether Germany approaches the Arctic as a multilateral actor or whether the Arctic has gained importance in German foreign and security policy and become a recognized security issue for Germany. The introductory part of the thesis is devoted to a general introduction of the Arctic region, its definition and a presentation of the global security, environmental and economic aspects and challenges associated with it. The thesis then briefly outlines the history of German involvement in the Arctic, its activities and Germany's relevance to the region. The main research part of the thesis is divided into the bilateral and multilateral dimensions of German Arctic policy, thus reflecting the nature of German multilateralism. The results of the examination of German Arctic policy have shown that Germany is aware of the various aspects of Arctic security and its global dimension, however, the focus is on the climate and economic security issues of the region. Even...
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The legal regime of the Arctic (international legal aspects of the Arctic Ocean), compared to the legal regime of Antarctica
Huk Kloučková, Eliška ; Ondřej, Jan (advisor) ; Šturma, Pavel (referee)
The main objective of this thesis is to analyse the legal regimes of the Arctic and Antarctica and to compare them. The research question is whether and in what specific ways the legal regimes of these polar regions differ. The thesis mainly uses the descriptive method, which describes the basic background and the applicable legal framework, and then the comparative method when comparing the two regimes. In addition to the introduction and conclusion, the thesis is divided into a total of seven chapters. The thesis thus first defines the Arctic and Antarctic, introduces their history and outlines their geopolitical significance. The main parts of the thesis are devoted to the legal regime. In the case of the Arctic, which is mainly a frozen sea around the North Pole, the law of the sea relevant to this territory is discussed. Attention is given to the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and its application to the Arctic Ocean. The thesis also describes the pending disputes in this area and the challenges that this legal regime poses not only for Arctic states. In the case of Antarctica, which is a continent, the complex treaty regime that was treaty-anchored in 1954 is discussed. Attention is also paid to the European Union's interest in these areas, as well as the Czech Republic's...
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The Nature of Conflict in the Arctic: A Rationalist Approach to the Conflict Triggers
Benda, Lukáš ; Solovyeva, Anzhelika (advisor) ; Střítecký, Vít (referee)
Lukáš Benda Master's thesis 2023 The Nature of Conflict in the Arctic: A Rationalist Approach to the Conflict Triggers Abstract This Master's thesis explores the triggers of the conflict in the Arctic between the littoral states. Its goal is to identify key conflict drivers, based on the existing literature, then assess their intensity, based on the existing framework and supplemented by this thesis' own definition of conflict. By using the theory of rational choice and the bargaining model of war, it is studied why and how has the Arctic issues not escalated into armed confrontation, a topic which has been prominent in the literature at one time. By applying the aforementioned theories, this thesis links the conflict triggers to an intensity level, while applying the bargaining model of war on a non-violent conflict. The conclusions should determine the intensity of each conflict trigger, while explaining the changes in the conflict, including the external influencing factors. Developing its own definition of conflict and an intensity scale, this thesis aims to fill the gap in the existing literature, which usually focuses on the conflict as a singular topic, while introducing and exploring different layers of the conflict derived from identification of the conflict triggers.
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France in the Arctic
Domkář, Michal ; Romancov, Michael (advisor) ; Perottino, Michel (referee)
This bachelor's thesis deals with the modern French Arctic policy and its gradual evolution. A crucial prerequisite is the transformation of the Arctic narrative, that is how the region is generally seen. While it had been previously understood as a place for international cooperation, global warming has dramatically changed the region. Thus, both the key points of the Arctic debate and its participants and the overall narrative have changed. The goal of this thesis is to find out whether France reflects this change of the narrative and if so, how. France has shown interest in the region for a long time and its long-lasting presence makes it an important actor. The research has been done through the analysis of relevant government documents and proclamations which demonstrate the official country's approach the best. The resulting findings confirmed the transformation of Arctic policy, which changes its main proclaimed interest over time. The emphasis is no longer on scientific activity as it once was. Although it is increasingly incorporating security and the strategic importance of the region into its approach, given the recency of the phenomenon, it cannot yet be said with certainty that this will become the central focus of future policy, although the trend described suggests that it will.
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Nest defence and predator recognition by Arctic tern \kur{(Sterna paradisaea)}
ŠPIČKA, Jan
In the presented work, I describe the behaviour of Arctic terns (Sterna paradisaea) toward predator species that differ in the threat they represent to them and to their nests. I presented textile dummies of great black-backed gull (Larus marinus), peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus), common raven (Corvus corax) and common eider (Somateria mollissima), piece of wood as a harmless stimulus, and human intruder in sitting position near the tern nests. Experiments were conducted on the Varanger peninsula in Norway. The tern behaviour was recorded and analysed to see any dummy species related differences.
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The GIUK's gap Geopolitical Importance
Prášil, Matěj ; Riegl, Martin (advisor)
The following thesis is focusing on the geopolitical as well as geostrategic significance of the GIUK Gap. In addition to an overview of the realist theories of international relations used in the analysis as such, the thesis includes a section devoted to the historical development of the geopolitical and geostrategic significance of the GIUK Gap, but above all an analysis of the current geopolitical and geostrategic significance of the once mentioned specific North Atlantic region. The analysis of the current geopolitical situation is written with an emphasis on the increasing importance of the area for NATO and the Russian Federation, whose interests have increasingly clashed in recent years, not only in this region. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate a causal relationship between the generally deteriorating relations between NATO and the Russian Federation following the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the growing importance of the GIUK Gap.
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Geostrategic Importance of Greenland
Uchytilová, Gabriela ; Doboš, Bohumil (advisor) ; Romancov, Michael (referee)
The diploma thesis entitled "Geostrategic Importance of Greenland" deals with the current geopolitical position of the island in the context of advancing climate change. This brings Greenland many opportunities, but also threats that could affect its further development. The main aim of the work is therefore to examine how the geographical location of the island in combination with the advancing climate change affects its development, especially towards the future full independence from the Kingdom of Denmark. The work maps the current situation of Greenland in terms of newly emerging opportunities as well as the threats it also faces. Furthermore, the work focuses on the relationship between Greenland and Denmark and tries to describe the strategic importance of the island for Denmark. Although the Arctic is an area where states have cooperated in the past decades, in recent years tensions have been growing in the region between the Russian Federation, which is increasing its military presence there, and Western states represented by the North Atlantic Alliance. In addition, China is trying to penetrate the region, which is not indifferent to the strategic importance of the region, and other non-Arctic actors, led by the European Union, are also turning their attention to the region. The...
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The shaping of Russia's Arctic strategy
Fritzen, Johan ; Doboš, Bohumil (advisor) ; Romancov, Michael (referee)
The Shaping of Russia's Arctic strategy Abstract Dramatic and rapid shifts are brought about by climate changes to the Arctic geography: Arctic Ocean ice recedes and leave behind resources and sea lanes that traditionally were out of reach to man. This potentially leads to conflict between the coastal states which have overlapping resource claims in the region, different forms of statehood, and diverging security priorities. The changes are felt the strongest in Russia which is investing in Arctic infrastructure to accommodate oil and gas extraction, in addition to a slowly opening intercontinental trade route along her Northern shores. Arctic extraction is a means of increasing economic output and the maritime route to Asia ensures a diversified market which is unlikely to engage in trade sanctions to the same extent as Europe. Melting Arctic ice has repercussions in the defence sphere as well: traditionally protected against invasions from the North by a frozen ocean, Russia's Arctic coastline is becoming exposed to foreign powers. This has sparked a Russian military build-up in the region, inspiring her neighbouring Arctic states to consider their regional defence - not as a response to changed climatic conditions, but to Russia's rhetoric and actions. Both the economic flexibility stemming from Arctic...
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The GIUK's gap Geopolitical Importance
Prášil, Matěj ; Riegl, Martin (advisor) ; Romancov, Michael (referee)
The following thesis is focusing on the geopolitical as well as geostrategic significance of the GIUK Gap. In addition to an overview of the realist theories of international relations used in the analysis as such, the thesis includes a section devoted to the historical development of the geopolitical and geostrategic significance of the GIUK Gap, but above all an analysis of the current geopolitical and geostrategic significance of the once mentioned specific North Atlantic region. The analysis of the current geopolitical situation is written with an emphasis on the increasing importance of the area for NATO and the Russian Federation, whose interests have increasingly clashed in recent years, not only in this region. The aim of the paper is to demonstrate a causal relationship between the generally deteriorating relations between NATO and the Russian Federation following the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the growing importance of the GIUK Gap.
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Separation and Elemental Composition of Tardigrades and Rotifers from Cryoconite in Svalbard
Jaroměřská, Tereza ; Žárský, Jakub (advisor) ; Šabacká, Marie (referee)
For years considered pristine, glacial ecosystems are attracting more attention of biologists from various branches in last decades. Moreover, they are currently considered to be ecosystems forming the coldest biome on the Earth. The life on glaciers ranges from viruses and bacteria to highest consumers such as few groups of microinvertebrates. The most common are tardigrades (phylum Tardigrada) and rotifers (phylum Rotifera) which inhabit cryoconite holes on the glacial surface. Several studies highlight the importance of the role of these consumers. However, due to the dominance of prokaryotes on the glacial surface, these microinvertebrates are usually out of the major scope of most studies aiming at biological processes. The present study shows pioneering results on the isotopic composition of tardigrades and rotifers, which are the top consumers in cryoconite ecosystems, and is a foundation for the exploration of trophic pathways and interactions within cryoconite holes using elemental and stable isotopic analyses. It also presents information about the species composition of tardigrades and rotifers on different glaciers and in different parts of the ablation zone. We identified 5 species of tardigrades (Hypsibius sp., Hypsibius cf. dujardini, Pilatobius sp., Isohypsibius sp. and Cryoconicus...
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