In the realm of nuclear energy production for
domestic use, Russia signed an agreement with the
IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) to cre-
ate the world’s first nuclear fuel bank. This would
reduce proliferation by providing a source for about
60 countries, which might purchase low enriched
uranium for industrial purposes rather than build-
ing their own capacity (NIT 2011, Russia/Nuclear
Chronology 3/29/10). Russia has also announced a
commitment to expand its own nuclear power pro-
duction for domestic use. Whether Russian leaders
will reassess that decision in the light of the Japanese
disaster at the Fukushima Daiichi plant remains to be
seen. Decisions about energy technologies in Russia,
and in other countries, will affect the demands on and
prices for Russian oil and gas. The government has
given at least some research support to create afford-
able energy from renewable sources in the past (Tyuk-
hov 2007). This will continue to be a major issue for
Russian environmental and economic security. The
reduction of the spread of nuclear materials, as well as
armament stockpiles, is of benefit to the global com-
munity. It reduces risks of use, and also of misman-
agement, accident, or theft.
Resources in the Arctic are another strong incen-
tive for Russia to maintain its global power status.
Melting of the Arctic’s ice has opened a new trade
route, and started a race for exploiting newly acces-
sible resources. In 2010, Russia announced increased
naval patrols in the Arctic Ocean to better protect its
interests in natural resources in that region. Russia
noted that other nations were intensely pressing their
interests; a military official named China in particu-
lar. China has been strengthening ties to Norway and
Iceland, and has established a research station in the
sharon
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