Looking at it, devoid conspiracies, aliens, Annu-whacha-ma-call-em's, planet X, from the most obvious - economic riches present, and who's gonna get em.. Treaties not-withstanding, Russia knows (at least it seems to say so) that Antarctica contains billions and billions and billions of CRUDE OIL - energy.. And Uranium, and Diamonds, and precious metals.. on and on..
Wealth of avarice to those who can usurp everyone else in "staking claim" to the resources..
http://globalriskinsights.com/2016/0...olitical-risk/
Quote Recent signals out of Moscow suggest the increasing consideration of Antarctica in Russia’s broader strategic vision, a destabilizing trend that risks triggering militarized competition among resource-seeking nations in a thus far exemplary domain of international peace and cooperation.
Just two weeks into the new year, Kremlin media outlets reported that a Russian naval expedition had arrived in Antarctica as the country’s first Antarctic mission organized by the Ministry of Defense in three decades. Despite garnering little outside media attention, the expedition is suggestive of an important emerging trend in Moscow’s strategic vision with significant geopolitical risks — a steadily building interest in Antarctica for strategic and economic purposes.
So sorry, I don't see aliens, annu's or other out of this world distractions happening there. I see it for what it is, the majors are concerned that the wealth found is going to be usurped by Russia, and everyone else will be left out of the bounty..
Antarctica is managed by the highly successful Antarctic Treaty System (ATS), a series of international agreements that has preserved the continent as a non-militarized, strictly scientific global commons for several decades in spite of the numerous territorial claims and major powers involved. This has meant that Russian Antarctic policy — along with that of other important players like the United States and China — has historically been focused on enhancing national prestige through scientific endeavors rather than advancing military interests or augmenting economic growth.
If Putin says ***** the treaty, one could very well see a very sticky wicket that will have to be dealt with. Putin stands to benefit militarily and economically by establishing a very strong stake in the wealth that Antarctica holds.
Here is a map of stakeholders -
Quote Moscow has consistently left the door open for its own Antarctic land grab by refuting the territorial claims of other nations and maintaining its right to spontaneously claim the entire continent at any point in the future. Now, in spite of existing barriers, Russia’s Antarctic policy has begun to suggest that it fully intends on taking advantage of that right over the long-term.
Indicators of this increasingly aggressive approach can be found in virtually every facet of Russia’s policy towards Antarctica and touch on nearly all the strategic and economic opportunities that the continent has to offer.
First and foremost, the recently launched endeavors of the Russian Navy are a clear sign that interest in the Antarctic has increased.
While the Antarctic Treaty System allows for military vehicles and equipment to be used in the region so long as they are limited to non-military scientific research, the return of Russia’s Navy after 30 years may well symbolize to other Antarctic powers that Moscow’s assertive Arctic strategy is now spreading to the South Pole.
Treaties have been in place to make nations comply (who subscribe to the gentlemen's agrement) to not try to exploit until 2048... HOWEVER Russia has alarmingly and unabashedly expressed its intention to “strengthen the economic capacity of Russia… through complex investigations of the Antarctic mineral, hydrocarbon, and other natural resources” in its 2010-2020 Antarctic strategy.
Rough estimates place total Antarctic oil reserves between 50 billion to 203 billion barrels, while natural gas reserves are projected at 106 trillion cubic feet. In oil alone that is 12 TRILLION dollars worth of product which Russian has it's eye on.
THAT is freaking out the TREATY signers, not "aliens" IMHO of course.. (dohh).