Today, Countries Battle for a Piece of the Arctic. Tomorrow? The Moon
 

*Source: Wired News (http://www.wired.com/science/space/m...-12/st_essay)*
_________
At the same time that it was making Arctic claims, Russia announced plans for manned lunar missions by 2025 and a permanent base there by 2032. Japan might beat them to the punch with a 2030 base. Both will be able to stop over and share a glass of Tang with US astronauts, who are supposed to start setting up shop in 2020. China also has lunar aspirations, though officials will say only that they plan to get to the moon sometime after 2020.

More...