Russia has recently undertaken military exercises in the Arctic, demonstrating that it values its strategic position in this region, which may be an important future source of oil and gas. Given Russia's recent actions in Ukraine and Crimea the question arises as to how the West should respond, or prepare itself to respond, to any similar Russian actions in the Arctic. This book examines Russia's strategic interests in the Arctic, discusses why Russia is compelled to assert itself in the region, and explores the different possible Western responses. The book includes an assessment of China's and other Asian states' interests in the Arctic, considers the international legal position, and debates whether a robust or a more conciliatory response from the West is likely to be more effective.