US Arctic Policy 2023: A 12-Month Outlook

As the polar ice caps melt and the west’s relationship with Russia becomes frostier, the Arctic region is becoming even more vital to global interests. The Arctic is home to vast mineral and fossil fuel wealth, as well as lucrative fisheries. As the ice melts, more of these resources have, and will continue to become, readily exploitable. New trade routes will continue to open, cutting weeks, if not months, off of travel times for cargo ships. In the Arctic, countries have not agreed on territorial boundaries, making the race for influence in the region particularly prone to volatility and violence. In October, the Biden Administration released the National Strategy for the Arctic Region, emphasising the need for an increased security presence and bilateral cooperation.