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Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress
2015 National Security Strategy
The February 2015 National Security Strategy mentions the Arctic three times, stating that "the
present day effects of climate change are being felt from the Arctic to the Midwest. Increased sea
levels and storm surges threaten coastal regions, infrastructure, and property." It also states that
"we seek to build on the unprecedented international cooperation of the last few years, especially
in the Arctic as well as in combatting piracy off the Horn of Africa and drug-smuggling in the
Caribbean Sea and across Southeast Asia," and that "we will also stay engaged with global
suppliers and our partners to reduce the potential for energy-related conflict in places like the
Arctic and Asia."289
June 2015 GAO Report
A June 2015 Government Accountability Office (GAO) report states the following:
Recent strategic guidance on the Arctic issued by the [Obama] administration and the
Department of Defense (DOD) establish a supporting role for the department relative to
other federal agencies, based on a low level of military threat expected in the region. In
January 2014 the [Obama] administration issued the Implementation Plan to the National
Strategy for the Arctic Region that designated DOD as having a largely supporting role for
the activities outlined in the plan. Additionally, DOD's Arctic Strategy issued in November
2013 and the Navy's Arctic Roadmap 2014-2030 issued in February 2014 emphasize that,
as sea ice diminishes and the Arctic Ocean opens to more activity, the department may be
called upon more frequently to support other federal agencies and work with partners to
ensure a secure and stable region. To further its role, DOD participates in a number of
forums focused on military security cooperation in the Arctic, including the Arctic Security
Forces Roundtable, a senior-level event aimed at encouraging discussion among the
security forces of Arctic and non-Arctic nations. In addition, DOD leads training exercises
focused on building partner capacity in the region, including Arctic Zephyr, a multilateral
scenario-based exercise. DOD continues to monitor the security environment in the region
and is tracking indicators that could change its threat assessment and affect DOD's future
role.
DOD has taken actions, along with interagency partners, to address some near-term
capabilities needed in the Arctic, such as maritime domain awareness and communications.
In recent years, DOD has conducted a number of studies to identify near-term capabilities
the department needs to operate in the Arctic. The Implementation Plan to the National
Strategy for the Arctic Region created an interagency framework and identified activities
to address many of these needed capabilities. For example, as the lead agency for Arctic
sea ice forecasting, DOD has established an interagency team to focus on improved sea ice
modeling. DOD has also begun other efforts within the department to address capability
needs. For example, the Navy's Arctic Roadmap prioritizes near-term actions to enhance
its ability to operate in the Arctic and includes an implementation plan and timeline for
operations and training, facilities, equipment, and maritime domain awareness, among
other capabilities.
U.S. Northern Command-the DOD advocate for Arctic capabilities-stated that it is in
the process of updating its regional plans for the Arctic and is conducting analysis to
determine future capability needs. For example, Northern Command is updating the
Commander's Estimate for the Arctic, which establishes the commander's intent and
missions in the Arctic and identifies near-, mid-, and long-term goals. Additionally, the
command is conducting studies of various Arctic mission areas, such as maritime homeland
defense and undersea surveillance, to identify future capability needs. However, according
289 Office of the President, National Security Strategy, February 2015, pp. 12, 13, and 16.Congressional Research Service
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O'Rourke, Ronald. Changes in the Arctic: Background and Issues for Congress, report, August 1, 2018; Washington D.C.. (https://digital.library.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metadc1248258/m1/74/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, UNT Digital Library, https://digital.library.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.