Pentagon: US adopts “monitor-and-respond” strategy in Arctic

Russia and China are deepening their collaboration in the Arctic, a trend that could influence regional stability, proceeding from the latest US military strategy report.

The Pentagon's assessment highlights Russia's resurgence in the region, marked by the reopening of numerous Soviet-era military bases, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

Concurrently, China, which labels itself a "near-Arctic" state, has set ambitious goals, including the development of a "Polar Silk Road" to tap into the Arctic's mineral wealth and emerging shipping routes as ice melts due to climate change.

The report notes that while Russia and China have significant areas of disagreement, their growing alignment in the Arctic is increasingly concerning. The Pentagon underscores its vigilance over this evolving cooperation, reflecting apprehensions about the strategic implications of their joint activities.

The Pentagon's latest report highlights the growing strategic significance of Arctic sea routes, which are becoming increasingly vital for linking major economies across the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans as global warming reduces ice coverage and extends ice-free periods. This shift is facilitating new shipping routes, with China and Russia collaborating to develop these pathways.

Russia aims to boost oil and gas deliveries to China, especially amid Western sanctions, while China is pursuing alternative routes to lessen its reliance on the Strait of Malacca. The report underscores China's intent to exploit these evolving Arctic dynamics to enhance its influence, access resources, and play a more prominent role in regional governance.

The Pentagon's report revealed that the US military has adopted a "monitor-and-respond" strategy for the Arctic, focusing on intelligence gathering, ally cooperation, and the readiness to deploy military assets in response to emerging challenges. To strengthen its position in the region, the US, Canada, and Finland are set to establish a consortium to develop new icebreaker ships. This initiative, expected to culminate in a formal agreement by the end of the year, aims to enhance shipbuilding capabilities among NATO allies and serve as a strategic countermeasure against growing Russian and Chinese influence in the polar regions.