Overview

• China and Russia's expanding cooperation in the Arctic includes joint military exercises, patrols near Alaska, and shared use of military bases, raising security concerns for the US and its allies.
• The US Department of Defense and Canada have unveiled updated Arctic strategies emphasizing the need to counteract rising military and economic activities by non-Arctic states like China.
• Canada plans to appoint an Arctic ambassador, open consulates in Alaska and Greenland, and collaborate with the US on energy security, climate change, and mineral development in the Arctic.
• The Arctic's strategic importance is increasing as climate change opens new shipping routes and access to natural resources, intensifying geopolitical competition in the region.
• The US and Canada are enhancing military readiness through joint exercises, expanded deployments, and closer coordination with NATO allies to maintain a secure and stable Arctic region.