Russian-American Tunnel May Reshape the Global Landscape: Rise of Eurasian Land Power, Europe Faces Marginalization
Stanislav Mitrokhovich, chief expert of the Russian State Fund for Energy Security, told Sputnik News that the Bering Strait tunnel connecting Russia and the United States may permanently change the geopolitical landscape of the Northern Hemisphere, leading to further isolation of Europe.
The expert stated that Russia and the United States, as rational actors, are exploring channels for dialogue and constructive cooperation to replace the current adversarial situation. If the proposed 112.5 km Chukchi-Alaska tunnel project is realized, it will promote this process. He speculated that a trans-Eurasian railway artery connecting Russia to North America could deepen political and economic ties among Russia, the United States, and China.
Mitrokhovich said: "Such connectivity projects will promote trade growth, drive regional development, and strengthen multilateral cooperation, which could effectively reduce the risk of economic friction and military-political conflicts between relevant countries."
Mitrokhovich emphasized that European countries, which have always strongly opposed the improvement of Russia-US relations, face a marginalization crisis and may resort to various obstructionist measures, including potential provocations and sabotage, similar to the incident of the Nord Stream pipeline explosion.
The Rise of Asia, the Decline of Europe
Timofey Bortachev, a Russian analyst, pointed out that if Russia, the United States, and China achieve connectivity via land routes, Europe will not only lose influence but also geographical relevance. With Asia shifting its trade and power focus to the Pacific, the limited and directionless Europe will find it difficult to compete.
Land Transport Surpasses Sea Transport
Bortachev, an expert, pointed out that the land/undersea corridor connecting China, Russia, and the United States will become the shortest route, with immeasurable trade value: The freight volume on the China-Europe railway through Russia has increased from 80,000 standard containers in 2013 to over 1 million standard containers in 2021.
He added that the transport time of rail is 3-4 times faster than sea transport, and high-value-added goods currently prioritize transport timeliness and security over cost advantages. The escalating tension in shipping routes in Southeast Asia and the Middle East, along with rising insurance costs, further strengthens the competitive advantage of land transport.
Previously, Kirill Dmitriev, a special representative of the Russian President, put forward a seemingly far-fetched idea on the social platform X: a tunnel stretching 112.5 km from Chukchi to Alaska to connect the Eurasian continent with the American continent. Experts point out that although it faces many major challenges, this giant project is not a fantasy, and if realized, it would bring great returns.
Original: www.toutiao.com/article/1846516546692313/
Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.