The Impact of Antarctic Treaty Challenges on the US Military

• Published in: The US Army War College Quarterly: Parameters
• Main Authors: Bridley, Ryan J., Matthews, Kevin W.
• Format: Text
• Language: unknown
• Published: USAWC Press 2023
• Subjects: Antarctica; Antarctic Treaty; sea levels; unreported and unregulated fishing; global power competition; Defense and Security Studies; International Relations; Military History; Military; War; and Peace; National Security Law; Other Public Affairs; Public Policy and Public Administration; Peace and Conflict Studies; Policy History; Theory; and Methods; Politics and Social Change; Public Administration; Public Affairs; Terrorism Studies; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Antarc*
• Online Access: https://press.armywarcollege.edu/parameters/vol53/iss3/12; https://doi.org/10.55540/0031-1723.3242; https://press.armywarcollege.edu/context/parameters/article/3242/viewcontent/6_Bridley_Matthews_Antarctica_53_3_Full_20230825.pdf; https://press.armywarcollege.edu/context/parameters/article/3242/filename/0/type/additional/viewcontent/Bridley_Matthews.mp3

While the Antarctic Treaty of 1961 largely prevented conflicts on the continent, growing challenges to the treaty system could affect the United States and the global community. Through historical documents and press reports, this article examines ice deterioration, unreported and unregulated fishing, resource extraction preparation, hostilities between treaty members, and the roles of China and Russia in the region. It provides recommendations for policymakers and military strategists on how the United States can maintain global security and treaty interests—and the potential request for intervention—within the guidelines of the National Security Strategy.