US to appoint Ambassador in the Arctic to counter Russia and China

Americas, News August 28, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

The United States has announced establishing an Ambassador-at-large for the Arctic to advance U.S. policy in the region and engage with counterparts in the Arctic and non-Arctic nations.

The announcement came only one day after NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg warned of the threat posed by Russia in the northern polar regions. “Russia has set up a new Arctic command. It has opened hundreds of new and former Soviet-era Arctic military sites, including airfields and deep water ports. Russia is also using the region as a test bed for many of its new novel weapon systems,” Stoltenberg said during his visit to Canada on August 26, where he met with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Stoltenberg also raised concerns about China’s increasing reach into the Arctic region. “Beijing and Moscow have also pledged to intensify practical operation in the Arctic. This forms part of the deepening strategic partnership that challenges our values and our interests,” he said.

The U.S. Ambassador-at-large for the Arctic region

According to the U.S. Department of State, the Ambassador-at-large would be appointed to deal with Arctic affairs and to advance the U.S. policy in the region. As one of the eight stakeholder countries in the Arctic, the U.S. plans to counter Russia’s increasing military activities in the region while protecting its interests.

The list of eight Arctic nations comprises of the United States, Canada, Denmark, Finland Iceland, Sweden, Norway, and Russia. A statement from the U.S. State Department highlighted that “The Ambassador-at-Large for the Arctic Region will advance U.S. policy in the Arctic, engage with counterparts in Arctic and non-Arctic nations as well as Indigenous groups, and work closely with domestic stakeholders, including state, local, and Tribal governments, businesses, academic institutions, non-profit organizations, other federal government agencies, and Congress.”

U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken will soon announce the name of the country’s first Ambassador to the Arctic, whose appointment would be subject to approval from the Senate.

*^{NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and the Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau meeting in the garden of Fairmont Hotel Macdonald. (Image Credit: NATO)}*

Geopolitical Landscape of the Arctic region

For a long time, international affairs in the Arctic region were sorted through cooperation rather than competition. The Arctic Council works as the main organization that fosters cooperation in the region. However, the dynamics of Arctic cooperation changed in March 2022, when seven out of the eight members of the Arctic Council suspended their participation after Russia invaded Ukraine.

The region that was seen as a wasteland with no geopolitical significance due to the extreme temperature, impossible navigation, and harsh living conditions, has now become a significant part of the polar geopolitical landscape. The climate change and increasing temperatures have melted the ice beds in the Arctic resulting in the opening up of the Arctic Ocean that can be utilized for trade and military operations.

Russia has the largest share in the Arctic region which covers more than 70% of the seabed. Russia has established military bases in the Arctic region while China has been building Arctic research stations.