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Arctic Region

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Commentary
Arctic Governance Is in Trouble. The Antarctic Could Be Next
The war in Ukraine has shattered the myth that the polar regions are somehow immune from global geopolitics. If Arctic governance is in trouble, the Antarctic could follow.
Dec 7, 2022
Essay
What Does China's Arctic Presence Mean to the United States?
China has declared itself a “near-Arctic state,” a designation it invented to push for a greater role in Arctic governance. Although the U.S. sees China as a potentially destabilizing force, engaging with China in the Arctic does not have to be a win-or-lose proposition. There are opportunities to cooperate—on climate change, for example, or pollution control.
Dec 29, 2022

Explore Arctic Region

Testimony
Enhancing Security in a Changing Arctic
Security in the Arctic requires continuous effort to maintain, particularly in periods of transition—from climate change to demographic shifts to economic opportunities and risks to geopolitical dynamics. As an Arctic nation, it is the United States’ responsibility to take steps toward enhancing regional security.
Nov 29, 2023
Blog
'Israel's 9/11,' Promoting the 988 Hotline, the Future of Space: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on why the Oct. 7 attack wasn't Israel's 9/11, humanity's future approach to space, the pressing need to ensure more people know about the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and more.
Nov 17, 2023
News Release
U.S. Armed Forces Capabilities in Arctic Region Pose National Security Risks, Need Strengthening
The United States needs to strengthen its ability to protect its Arctic interests as the region becomes a more active security environment. Key areas for improvement include communications, infrastructure, training, equipment, tactics and the ability to scale presence.
Nov 1, 2023
Report
Arctic Capabilities of the U.S. Armed Forces
The United States has considerable interests in the Arctic and is one of just eight countries with territory in the region. How do U.S. armed forces' capabilities differ from those of other countries operating there, including Russia, China, and allies?
Nov 1, 2023
Commentary
Priorities for the Safety and Security of the Maritime Environment
With 95,000 miles of shoreline, the United States is a maritime nation. This Perspective summarizes key existing and emerging maritime safety and security topics for policymakers, and highlights considerations for technological modernization and strategic partnerships.
Sep 6, 2023
Multimedia
The Safety and Security of the U.S. Maritime Environment
The safety and security of the United States is directly tied to the safety and security of its maritime environment. This video explores opportunities and threats in this space, which are constantly evolving because of changes in economics, geopolitics, society, demography, and other factors.
Aug 24, 2023
Journal Article
Written Evidence Submitted by RAND Europe: ARC0008 The Evolving Security Environment in the Arctic
This evidence addresses the Arctic's changing environment, characterised by climate change and militarisation, and its impact on the UK.
Jul 20, 2023
Blog
Taiwan, Gun Violence, Fishing in the Arctic: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on the potential for a Chinese attack on Taiwan, America's persistent gun violence problem, managing Arctic fisheries, and more.
Jul 7, 2023
Commentary
The Arctic Is Our Last Global Commons—Let's Manage Its Fisheries Properly
It is time to create a multilateral Arctic fisheries management plan before a moratorium on fishing in Arctic high seas sunsets in 2037. Agreements can lead to economic and food security for partners; a lack of coordination will lead to conflict, environmental degradation, and overfishing. The clock is ticking.
Jun 30, 2023
Journal Article
Strategic Competition in the Arctic
Emerging geopolitical dynamics and the changing physical environment of the Arctic are both contributing to its increased strategic importance.
May 23, 2023
Blog
Extremism, Medicaid, Florida's 'Don't Say Gay' Law: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on addressing domestic extremism, managing reductions in Medicaid enrollment, the effects of Florida's “Don't Say Gay” law, and more.
May 19, 2023
Commentary
What Is Next for the Arctic Council in the Wake of Russian Rule?
Norway recently took over chairmanship of the Arctic Council from Russia under conditions never before experienced by the organization in its 27-year history. Despite the current uncertainties, there could be ways to move past the stalemate between Russia and the other council members.
May 15, 2023
Journal Article
Scottish Affairs Committee: Scotland's Role in UK Defence of the North Atlantic and Arctic Amid Rising Geopolitical Tensions
The aim of this evidence is to analyse the UK's national security priorities in the North Atlantic and the High North and how to develop Scotland's role as an asset in the pursuit of these priorities.
Apr 4, 2023
Journal Article
Norway's Next Long-Term Defence Plan: An Allied Perspective
As Norway contemplates the priorities for its next Long-Term Defence Plan (LTP), it finds itself in a Europe, a NATO, and a global environment that have all changed markedly since the last iteration of the Plan was released in 2020.
Mar 28, 2023
Report
Vanishing Trade Space: Assessing the Prospects for Great Power Cooperation in an Era of Competition — A Project Overview
To what extent can the United States still cooperate with China and Russia even in this era of strategic competition? This report, the first of a four-part series, presents the overarching findings of a study that explored this question.
Feb 20, 2023
Report
Assessing the Prospects for Great Power Cooperation in the Global Commons
This report, part of a four-part series, describes the potential for U.S. cooperation with China or Russia on global commons issues, including freedom of access to space, countering violent extremist organizations, and promoting global stability.
Feb 20, 2023
Commentary
Great Power Competition Is on the Arctic Agenda
Despite its military problems in Ukraine, Russia remains a formidable potential adversary in the Arctic. And there is a growing realization that China is not going away in the Arctic, bringing both of the United States' strategic competitors into Alaska's backyard. Can great power politics be checked at the door of the Far North?
Feb 16, 2023
Periodical
RAND Review: January-February 2023
This issue explores the inadequacies of the current system of space governance; China's presence in the Arctic; abortion in the U.S. post-Dobbs; and the security and technology challenges related to Taiwan's domination of the microchip industry.
Jan 6, 2023
Blog
A Potential Russian Attack on NATO, China in the Arctic, Inflation: RAND Weekly Recap
This weekly recap focuses on how the West might respond in the case of a limited Russian attack on NATO, what China's Arctic ambitions mean to the United States, how inflation affects middle-class households, and more.
Jan 6, 2023

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RAND Topic:
Arctic Region

Topic Synonyms:
Arctic Research;
North Pole

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Benjamin J. Sacks

Policy Researcher

Benjamin Sacks is a policy researcher at the RAND Corporation, and a professor of political geography at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. At RAND, Sacks employs mixed-methods approaches to examine the history, political geography, public diplomacy, and networks of major power competition,…
Scott Savitz

Senior Engineer

Scott Savitz is a senior engineer at RAND and a professor at the Pardee RAND Graduate School. Much of his research focuses on how to improve the effectiveness and resilience of operational forces through the use of new technologies and modified tactics. He has developed numerous models and…

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