US Announces a New Arctic Strategy with China and Russia in View
Original title: USA kündigen neue Arktis-Strategie mit Blick auf China und Russland an
A ten-year plan emphasises the importance of international law and reducing tensions in the region.
The United States has presented its new national strategy for the Arctic. It warns of growing strategic competition intensified by Russia and China, and calls for stronger cooperation among allies to uphold international law, rules, norms and standards in the region.
The strategy updates a document published in 2013 by former President Barack Obama’s administration and sets out the US agenda in the region for the next ten years.
The document states that, as an Arctic nation itself, the United States has the ‘authority and responsibility’ to manage and protect the region.
‘The United States seeks an Arctic region that is peaceful, stable, prosperous, and cooperative,’ the document says.
The strategy raises concerns about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Chinese efforts to gain influence in the region. The United States says it seeks to ‘compete effectively and manage tensions’ in the Arctic.
The US strategy rests on four pillars: security; climate change and environmental protection; sustainable economic development; and international cooperation and governance. On security, the United States plans to improve its ability to defend its Arctic interests and avert threats to itself and its allies. It aims to mitigate the risks of unintended escalation.
The document acknowledges that growing tensions between the United States and Russia over the war in Ukraine pose a challenge to Arctic cooperation. Nevertheless, it calls for continued cooperation in multilateral organisations that also include Russia.
With the need to mitigate climate change becoming ever more urgent, the United States will also promote sustainable development in the Arctic.