Editing Bering Strait (section)

== "Ice Curtain" border ==
[[Image:Diomede Islands Bering Sea Jul 2006.jpg|thumb|400px|right|Little Diomede Island (US, left) and Big Diomede Island (Russia, right)]]

During the [[Cold War]], the Bering Strait marked the border between the [[Soviet Union]] and the United States. The [[Diomede Islands]]—[[Big Diomede]] (Russia) and [[Little Diomede]] (US)—are only {{Cvt|3.8|km}} apart. Traditionally, the indigenous people in the area had frequently crossed the border back and forth for "routine visits, seasonal festivals and subsistence trade", but were prevented from doing so during the Cold War.<ref>[http://www.dced.state.ak.us/oed/student_info/learn/russianheritage.htm State of Alaska website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090831063131/http://www.dced.state.ak.us/oed/student_info/learn/russianheritage.htm |date=August 31, 2009 }}</ref> The border became known as the "Ice Curtain".<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1988/10/23/magazine/lifting-the-ice-curtain.html "Lifting the Ice Curtain"], Peter A. Iseman, ''The New York Times'', October 23, 1988</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |title=Two Russians flee Ukraine draft by crossing Bering Sea by boat to Alaska |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/oct/06/alaska-two-russians-flee-military-draft |access-date=February 1, 2023 |work=the Guardian |date=October 6, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> It was completely closed, and there was no regular passenger air or boat traffic.

Since 2012, the Russian coast of the Bering Strait has been a [[Border Security Zone of Russia|closed military zone]]. Through organized trips and the use of special permits, it is possible for foreigners to visit. All arrivals must be through an airport or a cruise port, near the Bering Strait only at [[Anadyr (town)|Anadyr]] or [[Provideniya]]. Unauthorized travelers who arrive on shore after crossing the strait, even those with visas, may be arrested, imprisoned briefly, fined, deported and banned from future visas.<ref name=NYT71212>{{cite news |title=Journey by Sea Takes Awkward Turn in Russia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/world/europe/team-returns-to-alaska-after-4-day-detention-in-russia.html?_r=0 |access-date=July 12, 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=July 11, 2012 |last=Roth |first=Andrew |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150205233822/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/12/world/europe/team-returns-to-alaska-after-4-day-detention-in-russia.html?_r=0 |archive-date=February 5, 2015}}</ref>