What's happened
The US expresses concern over the increasing cooperation between China and Russia in the Arctic, as highlighted in the 2024 Arctic Strategy report released by the Department of Defense. The report emphasizes the need for expanded military readiness and surveillance in the region due to heightened Chinese and Russian interest and the impacts of climate change.
Why it matters
The growing alignment between China and Russia in the Arctic poses strategic challenges for the US, as the region becomes more accessible due to melting ice. This cooperation could have implications for global trade routes, resource exploitation, and military activities. The US response includes enhancing surveillance and military preparedness to prevent the Arctic from becoming a strategic blind spot.
What the papers say
The US Department of Defense's 2024 Arctic Strategy report highlights concerns over China-Russia cooperation in the Arctic, emphasizing the need for expanded military readiness and surveillance. Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks pointed out the growing alignment between China and Russia in the region, with China funding Russian energy exploitation. The report underscores the strategic importance of the Arctic for the US, given the geopolitical changes and increasing cooperation between China and Russia.
How we got here
The Arctic region has gained strategic significance due to melting ice, offering new economic opportunities and access to resources. Russia has bolstered its military presence in the Arctic, reopening bases, while China has invested in polar exploration. The US has identified the Arctic as crucial for national defense and sovereignty, leading to a focus on enhancing surveillance and preparedness in response to Chinese and Russian activities.
Common question
More on these topics
-
China, officially the People's Republic of China, is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population of around 1.4 billion in 2019.
-
Russia, or the Russian Federation, is a transcontinental country located in Eastern Europe and Northern Asia. Covering an area of 17,125,200 square kilometres, it is the largest country in the world by area, spanning more than one-eighth of the Earth's in
-
The Arctic is a polar region located at the northernmost part of Earth. The Arctic consists of the Arctic Ocean, adjacent seas, and parts of Alaska, Canada, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, and Sweden.
-
The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
-
The Pentagon is the headquarters building of the United States Department of Defense. As a symbol of the U.S. military, the phrase The Pentagon is also often used as a metonym for the Department of Defense and its leadership.