The American authorities have updated their policy strategy regarding Arctic. The document was published by the US Department of Defense on Monday, July 22.
According to the updated strategy, the United States recognizes the Arctic as a platform for competition, so the United States and its allies must be ready to respond to this challenge.
The Pentagon warns that the United States will conduct military exercises in the Arctic to demonstrate combat capability. Along with this, US officials intend to cooperate with allies, industrial companies and local ethnic groups to “strengthen deterrence in the region.”
Meanwhile, defense cooperation between the United States and Norway is gaining momentum. NATO countries want to cooperate on space-based missile defense in the Arctic — with a unique base in northern Norway. A key aspect is the development of early warning capabilities for cruise missiles in the High North.
Against this backdrop, retired US Navy Admiral James Stavridis noted that Russia and China are actively building new icebreakers and increasing cooperation in the Arctic — this is a warning to NATO.