Alaska and its Significance to the US and Future Trade Routes
“I believe that in the future whoever holds Alaska will hold the world." - General Billy Mitchell, the father of the US air force.
Despite being the largest state, Alaska was always considered a worthless piece of land for most of its history. However, Alaska started to play a pivotal role in geopolitics and trade highlighting the positive effect of recent globalization that has occurred in the past 50 years.
Despite having a modest population, Ted Stevenson’s international airport located in the capital — Anchorage is considered the fourth busiest airport in the world.
The several reasons why the airport has a vast amount of traffic on daily basis
Anchorage became strategically important during the Cold War as a key stopover for flights between Europe and East Asia due to the Soviet Union's denial of airspace, making it the most well-placed city in America. Anchorage is the only city with the size and location to serve as a refueling stop for long flights in the area. A small city with a quarter million people, became a major international air traffic hub, making it incredibly influential and wealthy, but this advantage was unique and politically motivated and wouldn't last forever.
Anchorage suffered significant economic losses as longer range aircraft and open Soviet airspace led to a decrease in international flights, resulting in only two remaining seasonal direct international passenger flights.
However, the role of the airport has changed to become a cargo hub
The airport's strategic location allows for efficient cargo transportation between New York City and Tokyo, making it one of the most effective cargo hubs in the world. Anchorage is within a nine and a half hour flight of major cities like San Francisco, LA, New York, Mexico City, Tokyo, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Seoul, London, Frankfurt, Moscow, and most of the US, Japan, South Korea, China, and Europe. Anchorage's geographical position allows cargo carriers to refuel and carry heavier loads, resulting in potentially millions of dollars in added revenue. Anchorage is the most important city in Alaska due to its international cargo shipping hubs and the growth of its airport as a major cargo hub being one of the key triggers of economic growth of the whole state.
Global climate change is causing the arctic region to warm, leading to the possibility of navigation by ship across the arctic ocean
The melting of the Arctic ice will open up trade routes, making Alaska a strategically important location. The use of the northwest passage for international shipping would significantly reduce the distance traveled, saving time and money. Utilizing the northern sea route or the northwest passage can dramatically reduce travel time and save money for cargo ships moving between Europe and East Asian markets, potentially making these routes the most important trade routes in the world.
The Arctic's vast natural resources, including substantial reserves of oil and natural gas, contribute significantly to Anchorage's economic influence. The region, once hindered by harsh environmental conditions, is now becoming increasingly accessible due to climate change. Anchorage, serving as a gateway to the Arctic, is poised to benefit from the growing interest in resource exploration and extraction. The city's strategic location positions it as a pivotal player in the global energy market, attracting investments and causing economic development.
The city's proximity to these emerging trade routes makes Alaska pivotal for the US government, attracting investments and infrastructure development. The economic prospects for the state exceeds beyond transportation and extracting raww materials.It can also develop tourism as the arctic passage will be available not only for shipping cargos,but also touristic liners since the beauty of the arctic is astonishing.
In conclusion, Anchorage's economic impact is tied to its geographical location, transforming it from a wasteland into a key player in global trade, resource exploitation. As the world navigates the evolving dynamics of the Arctic, Anchorage's role is set to become even more pronounced in shaping economic and geopolitical landscapes.
References:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMNfagIz0hs&t=861s
Written by Zhangir Meshitbek | Proofread by Amina Meiirkhan
