The Russia-Alaska Myth: A Historical and Legal Analysis
The longstanding myth that Russia wants the United States to return Alaska or suffer its wrath has been circulating for decades. This article aims to debunk this misconception by examining the historical context, legal status, and current geopolitical realities surrounding Alaska.
Historical Context and Legal Purchase of Alaska
The idea that Russia wants Alaska back, or wishes to reclaim it through military means, is a notion that has been popularized in various political and entertainment arenas. However, this notion is fundamentally flawed based on historical and legal facts. Russia sold Alaska to the United States in 1867 in a transaction known as the Dall Treaty.
Alexander II, the Tsar of Russia, realized that the barren and resource-poor territory had little strategic or economic value to the Russian Empire. For just over $7 million, an amount not as impressive as it may seem at the time, Russia had effectively rid itself of what was considered a liability. The transaction was transparent and documented, making any claims to reclaim the territory legally untenable.
Current Legal Status and International Law
Today, Alaska is firmly within the borders of the United States and recognized as an integral part of the country. Under international law, the principle of uti possidetis juris is applied, which maintains the borders and territories of a state following its dissolution or change in sovereignty. As the successor state of the Soviet Union, Russia cannot legally claim any part of Alaska, which lay outside the USSR's borders.
This principle is particularly important in the context of territory disputes, such as those involving Ukraine, Moldova, and the Baltic states. Russia's legal and political justification for reclaiming these regions is grounded in historical and cultural ties, but not in territory claims within the U.S. borders.
Political and Cultural Context
The notion of Russia wanting Alaska back is not serious to the Russian government or its political parties. It is, as mentioned, a long-running joke influenced by public and media discourse. There are very few Russians in Alaska, and those who do live there are descendants of migrants who willingly moved there. These individuals have integrated into American society, and any claims to return to Russia are not credible.
Geopolitical and Military Standpoint
While the idea of Russia reclaiming Alaska through military means is laughable from a practical standpoint, it is crucial to recognize the geopolitical significance of Alaska. U.S. military strategists often utilize Alaska as a strategic location for military drills and exercises. For example, Exercise Koolendong in Australia, where U.S. Marines and Australian forces conduct amphibious and live-fire exercises, showcases the importance of such training grounds. However, these exercises are defensive in nature and aimed at improving military interoperability, not aggressive territorial expansion.
U.S. forces regularly simulate combat scenarios and conduct routine maneuvers in Alaska, using Russian forces as a simulated adversary in large-scale combat operations (LSCO). This practice is educational and aimed at testing operational readiness, not a harbinger of future conflicts. The U.S. stance is clear: if Russia were to make any aggressive moves towards Alaska, the U.S. military would be well-prepared to defend the territory.
Conclusion
The myth that Russia wants to take back Alaska is rooted in a misunderstanding of historical and legal facts. While the U.S. military uses Alaska as a training ground for large-scale combat operations, these exercises are defensive in nature and aimed at enhancing readiness, not preparing for an invasion. The legal and political landscape clearly supports the U.S. ownership of Alaska, and any claims to the contrary would be met with strong legal and diplomatic opposition.