Climate Change and International Competition: the US Army in the Arctic Environment

Abstract

As Arctic sea ice recedes due to global warming, the region is facing an unprecedented increase in maritime activity creating new conditions for emerging national security concerns. This research evaluates the United States (US) Army's Arctic capability to determine if it possesses the means to achieve the strategic objectives articulated in the 2013 National Strategy for the Arctic Region and 2013 Department of Defense Arctic Strategy. This monograph argues that the US Army has an Arctic capability gap at the operational level. The capabilities are evaluated within the domains of the current US doctrinal definition of Doctrine, Organization, Training, Materiel, Leadership and Education, and Facilities (DOTMLPF). For the purposes of this monograph, DOTMLPF serves as a broad analytical framework to identify the US Army's Arctic capability gaps. This monograph concludes by addressing how the US Army can align an Arctic capability with the operational requirements of this complex environment.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 21, 2015
Accession Number
AD1001460

Entities

People

  • Brian C. Harber

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Counter WMD
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Human Systems
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Climate Change
  • Cold Regions
  • Doctrine
  • Geography
  • Glaciers
  • International Law
  • Military History
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Ridges
  • Terrain
  • United States
  • United States Northern Command
  • United States Pacific Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Polar and Arctic Studies
  • Strategic Security Studies