The power vacuum created by the weakness of the American government is allowing tensions to build in places that were once stable and settled. Nothing is forever stable and settled but the instability is happening now – first between China and Japan and now between Russia and Canada – because the Chinese and Russians have estimated that Obama is a paper tiger who will not defend America’s traditional allies in any serious contest of wills. These are just testing, testing, one two three, testing. The real stuff is to come.

So here is where we are now at, Canada plans claim that would include North Pole. Hamlet also once discussed territorial claims involving the Poles:

Enter HAMLET, ROSENCRANTZ, GUILDENSTERN, and others

HAMLET
Good sir, whose powers are these?

CAPTAIN
They are of Norway, sir.

HAMLET
How purposed, sir, I pray you?

CAPTAIN
Against some part of Poland.

HAMLET
Who commands them, sir?

CAPTAIN
The nephews to old Norway, Fortinbras.

HAMLET
Goes it against the main of Poland, sir,
Or for some frontier?

CAPTAIN
Truly to speak, and with no addition,
We go to gain a little patch of ground
That hath in it no profit but the name.
To pay five ducats, five, I would not farm it;
Nor will it yield to Norway or the Pole
A ranker rate, should it be sold in fee.

HAMLET
Why, then the Polack never will defend it.

CAPTAIN
Yes, it is already garrison’d.

HAMLET
Two thousand souls and twenty thousand ducats
Will not debate the question of this straw:
This is the imposthume of much wealth and peace,
That inward breaks, and shows no cause without
Why the man dies. I humbly thank you, sir.

CAPTAIN
God be wi’ you, sir.

And once again worthless rock although it does contain Santa’s workshop.

‘We’re talking about the center of a large, inhospitable ocean that is in total darkness for three months each year, thousands of miles from any port,’ he said. ‘The water in the North Pole is 12,000 feet (3,650 meters) deep and will always be covered by sea ice in the winter. It’s not a place where anyone is going to be drilling for oil and gas.

‘So it’s not about economic stakes, it’s about domestic politics.’

And therefore will be garrisoned to the hilt. The more interesting question is whose side will Obama be on? Given his near hundred percent record of failing to support America’s traditional allies, that it will be the true north strong and free is far from certain.