Engagement in the Arctic
Abstract
Global warming continues to accelerate the melting Arctic Ocean ice pack. The Northwest Passage was open during summer months for the first time in 2007. Estimates indicate that the summertime Arctic Ocean may be ice-free within the next few decades. Along with untapped mineral & marine life resources, a year-round ice-free Northwest Passage could decrease the journey from Europe to Asia by 2,500 miles. Recent estimates indicate over one fifth of the world's undiscovered oil and gas reside in the Arctic Ocean. Five of the eight countries in the Arctic Council have land that borders the Arctic Ocean. International law does not govern the region under the icepack, but the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) establishes that countries have exclusive economic rights to a 200 nautical mile (nmi) zone from their coastlines. In 2007 Russia planted a flag 14,000 feet below the North Pole claiming ownership of an area the size of Western Europe. The goal of this paper is to provide impetus for policy development that will allow the United States to be in a position to meet our national interests when the as the Arctic Ocean presents more challenges and opportunities.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 17, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA518120
Entities
People
- James E. Anderson
Organizations
- United States Army War College