What should the US do in the Arctic?

Any new U.S. Arctic security strategy should have three goals: deter military attacks against U.S. or allied territory originating from the Arctic, prevent China or Russia from weakening existing rules-based Arctic governance through coercion, and prevent regional hegemony by either China or Russia.

Why are Russia and the US building military bases in the Arctic?

For Russia, the control of growing sea traffic in Arctic waters is a national-security priority, and its new military-grade icebreakers, together with its fleet of Su-34 fighter-bombers, are meant to keep watch over a planned new global shipping route.

Is the US interested in the Arctic?

The United States has vital interests in the Arctic region that are unfortunately often overlooked because turbulence in other areas of the world often draw more attention. In time, these interests will come to be seen as both critical and vital to our own long-term economic interests as well as security.

Why has the US been a reluctant Arctic nation?

With no strong fleet of icebreakers, no membership in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and no strategic vision for the region’s future, the U.S. lags behind every other Arctic nation states.

Can military travel to Russia?

For this reason, the U.S. Embassy in Moscow has advised all U.S. government and Department of Defense personnel to consider carefully travel to Russia. Russian officials may unreasonably delay U.S. consular assistance to detained U.S. citizens.

Why does America want the Arctic?

The policy calls for the US to “assert a more active and influential national presence to protect its Arctic interests and project sea power throughout the region,” and to secure free passage of vessels through the Northwest Passage and the Northern Sea Route.

Why are the United States interested in the Arctic?

Environmental changes in the Arctic can create both economic opportunities and challenges. As Arctic waterways become more accessible (due to declining sea ice), the region has attracted greater global attention for its economic opportunities.