In 2023, US Naval War College scholars participated in a study in the Arctic region. While the study focused on competing interests in this region, countries worldwide collaborated to find ways to keep this region free from tyranny. The study came when the United States Army established a presence in the Arctic.
Before this era, the Arctic was an untouched region in the world. The Arctic contains much of the nation's resources and is a critical lucrative shipping route. It also contains 13 percent of the world's undiscovered oil, approximately $90 billion worth, and 30 percent of its undiscovered natural gas. The region has various minerals and is a fishing resource.
However, outside of these traits, militaries globally, including the United States, value the area. For one, it is potentially a seat of global power, and two, it is a strategic location in times of conflict.
The context of this discussion is the increasing tensions in this part of the world. Russia's war against Ukraine and China (considered a wildcard), and friction between NATO and Russia have made the study and the United States' military presence in the region very relevant.
The United States Army has already established an Arctic strategy, which the public affairs office announced in a March 2021 press release. The army aims to improve its ability to respond to conflict, competition, or crisis in the Arctic.
The army plans to establish a multi-domain two-star headquarters to house specially trained combat units to maximize cold-weather dominance. These specially trained troops will engage in combat in high altitude and other mountainous regions. Also, it will prepare Arctic units to deploy extended operations in the Arctic. The army's Arctic strategy also includes improving the lives of the installations' troops, civilians, and families.
This strategy also includes plans for cooperating with allies, as mentioned in the Naval War College's study. The study suggests 25 sailors and scholars from Canada, Finland, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, France, the United Kingdom, Japan (as an observer), and the United States. The cohort participated in the Newport Arctic Scholars Initiative (NASI) convening in Newport, Rhode Island, in late January 2023. The purpose was to find methods for fortifying the region through cooperation among countries, many with a vested interest in protecting the area.
Over the three days, the cohort participated in workshops, panel discussions, and working groups. The discussions involved finding ways to deter aggression in this region because the potential is present, especially in the climate in Eastern Europe and Asia.
During the study, participants from Denmark, Sweden, and Norway acknowledged the need to develop this cooperation among navies. More importantly, the meeting allowed them to draw from each other's expertise and learn more about each country's interests in the Arctic. The meeting was also an opportunity for participating countries to make each other aware of their policies and strategies and to develop lifelong relationships. Ultimately, the end goal is to bring and maintain stability in this region of the world.
The group's work did not end there, however. After the convention, NASI scholars plan to convene to participate in professionally facilitated war games later in spring 2023. The scholars will also present their findings and recommendations to navy heads at the International Seapower Symposium in fall of 2023. This study and the army's deployment plans reflect the United States' goal of preserving democracy in this region. For more information on both activities, visit the Army and Naval War College sites.
