Toward an Arctic Strategy

• Main Author: Kollien, Alan L.
• Other Authors: ARMY WAR COLL CARLISLE BARRACKS PA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2009
• Subjects: Government and Political Science; Geography; Environmental Health and Safety; *ARCTIC OCEAN; *ARCTIC REGIONS; *NATURAL RESOURCES; STRATEGY; LEADERSHIP; MELTS; CLIMATE; ECOSYSTEMS; ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION; LAW ENFORCEMENT; OCEAN BOTTOM; GREENHOUSE EFFECT; UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT; PACK ICE; POLAR REGIONS; TEMPERATURE; *ARCTIC STRATEGY; STRATEGY RESEARCH PROJECTS; ARCTIC POLICY; CLIMATE CHANGE; RISING TEMPERATURES; Arctic; Arctic Ocean; Climate change
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA497652; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA497652

Rising temperatures and a corresponding ice pack melt in the Arctic accelerates to levels not previously envisioned. The rapidly receding polar ice pack opens a new Arctic area of opportunity in ways not witnessed until this century. This emerging area of operations holds new economic opportunity recognized by many nations, but especially Arctic border nations rushing to stake their claims in the Arctic Ocean and its seabed. Despite the accelerating Arctic Rush and its emerging conflicts, the United States lacks a strategy to achieve its interests in the region. This paper provides the foundation for strategy makers to move toward an Arctic strategy. It discusses the major regional stakes and defines Arctic strategic objectives in terms of the most recent executive Arctic policy directive. It examines options for a legal regime to frame the strategy and recommends a combatant command structure that incorporates a circumpolar perspective to maximize unity of unity of effort throughout the Arctic area of operations. In total, this paper aims to spawn vigorous efforts among U.S. leadership to rapidly design and codify a comprehensive strategy to achieve U.S. Arctic objectives.