An examination of Russia’s pursuits in the Arctic and their implications towards U.S. National Interests

• Main Author: Gutierrez, Josh
• Format: Report
• Language: English
• Published: California State University Maritime Academy 2018
• Subjects: Maritime boundaries > Russia (Federation); Arctic regions > Strategic aspects; Geopolitics > Arctic regions; Power resources > Arctic regions; Arctic regions > Military policy; Energy security > Arctic regions; Arctic; Lanes; Climate change
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10211.3/205796

The Arctic is experiencing significant climate change. The expected changes to the Arctic climate have created new economic opportunities for states and threatened the future stability of the region. With the Arctic becoming more accessible, the control for natural resource extraction and sea lanes of communications have become a major concern. States have begun shifting their national strategy to the future stability of the Arctic. Out of every Arctic state, Russia has been the most aggressive in their development of military infrastructure in the region. Russia has put itself in an advantageous position because of its investment in its Northern Fleet. Russia’s partnership with China in the Arctic should also not be overlooked. As of now, the United States has adopted a peaceful cooperation approach to the future stability of the Arctic in an effort to prevent an arms race. The purpose of this thesis is to explore the challenges Russia’s militarization’s in the Arctic has created towards U.S. interests in the region. A capstone project submitted to the faculty of the California Maritime Academy in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and Maritime Affairs.