The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) released the 2024 Arctic Strategy, supporting the 2022 National Security Strategy as well as the 2022 National Strategy for the Arctic Region. Significant geopolitical shifts necessitate this strategy, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Finland and Sweden joining NATO, increased PRC (People’s Republic of China)-Russia collaboration, and the rapid effects of climate change. The increasingly accessible Arctic is becoming a ground for strategic competition, and the U.S. must be prepared to address this challenge with its Allies and partners. The new DoD strategy mandates the enhancement of Arctic capabilities, deeper cooperation with Allies and partners, and readiness-building exercises for high-latitude operations.
DoD has developed a “monitor-and-respond” approach for Arctic stability. They strive to improve this effort in three ways as stated in the document:
Enhance the Joint Force’s Arctic capabilities by continuing to invest in sensors, intelligence, and information-sharing. Engage with Federal, State, and local authorities; Alaska Native tribes and communities; and industry in order to strengthen integrated deterrence and increase shared security.Exercise presence in the Arctic by training both independently and alongside Allies and partners to demonstrate interoperability and credible joint capabilities while supporting homeland defense and global power projection operations.There are a few challenges that risk to hinder these efforts. DoD shares its concern of balancing the needs of the Arctic over other global priorities. DoD ensures that whole-of-government efforts will be applied when significant threats arise. Another area of concern involves the investment capabilities in early warning and air defense sensors. These issues threaten to undermine the credibility of the Joint Force’s ability to operate in this region.
This strategy signifies careful and calculated efforts to safeguard U.S. interests amidst the new challenges in a shifting security landscape and will help prevent the arctic region from becoming a “strategic blind spot.”
This post was written with the assistance of AI. For more information, check out HSDL’s National Strategy Documents collection.