The American Polar Pivot: Gaining a Comparative Advantage in Great Power Competition

Abstract

This article demonstrates the rationale for the U.S. military to pivot its concentration toward defending the global commons in the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctic. By defining the geopolitical significance of the polar regions, this article identifies actions the United States must take to strengthen current alliances and create new ones, while emphasizing investments in robust military assets to operate in the harsh polar environment conditions with extremely cold and long winters. This article concludes with recommendations on how U.S. military forces and basing should be integrated into a grand strategy to ensure that China and Russia cannot exert their control and influence over the polar regions of the Arctic and Antarctic.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Oct 29, 2019
Accession Number
AD1118717

Entities

People

  • Jahara Matisek
  • Ryan Burke

Organizations

  • Marine Corps University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Ground and Sea Platforms
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Climate Change
  • Department Of Defense
  • Environment
  • Europe
  • Geographic Regions
  • Geography
  • International Law
  • Law
  • Military Capabilities
  • Military Exercises
  • Military Operations
  • Military Personnel
  • National Security
  • Polar Regions
  • United States
  • Warfare

Readers

  • International Relations and European Studies
  • Polar and Arctic Studies
  • Systems Analysis and Design