U.S. Policy for the Arctic and the Nation's Ability to Sustain Global Leadership

• Main Author: Gjerde, Ingred M
• Other Authors: ARMY WAR COLLEGE CARLISLE BARRACKS PA
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: 2013
• Subjects: Government and Political Science; *ARCTIC REGIONS; *GOVERNMENT(FOREIGN); *NORWAY; *UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT; COOPERATION; INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS; LEADERSHIP; MILITARY CAPABILITIES; NATO; POLICIES; SECURITY; UNCLOS(UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE LAW OF THE SEA); IMO(INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANIZATION); Arctic; Norway; Law of the Sea
• Online Access: http://www.dtic.mil/docs/citations/ADA589320; http://oai.dtic.mil/oai/oai?&verb=getRecord&metadataPrefix=html&identifier=ADA589320

The Arctic region is experiencing rapid and extraordinary environmental changes, and several Arctic coastal nations have declared the Arctic a main strategic area due to vast resources, increased activity and unsolved disputes in territorial claims. This paper evaluates the U.S. Arctic policy, and considers whether it is aligned with Norwegian policy for the region. The content of U.S. and Norwegian policy documents are very much aligned, but the implementation of the policies differ between the nations. Norway has invested extensively in Arctic defense capabilities and increased its military activity in the region, while the United States to a limited degree follows up its stated policy objectives. The two nations have the same approach to international cooperation in the region, but the United States has not ratified the UNCLOS. To sustain its global leadership and to ensure stability in the Arctic, the United States should revitalize its Arctic policy and make sure NATO addresses the potential Arctic security challenges.