Arctic Operations: Don't Forget Cultural Intelligence

Abstract

The rush for Arctic natural resources and their economic benefits, combined with disputed claims to territory in the region, has driven some Arctic nations to begin establishing a more robust military presence in the area. As the U.S. military increases such operations to keep the Arctic safe from internal and external threats, cultural intelligence cannot be forgotten. The paper will argue that in order to ensure U.S. success in future Arctic operations, the U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) Commander must establish Arctic cultural intelligence as an integral part of the planning process. It will define what cultural intelligence is and why it is an important operational consideration. It will also explain why having cultural intelligence is specifically needed in the Arctic as a planning consideration. Finally, this paper will explore avenues the NORTHCOM Commander can use to gain cultural intelligence on the Arctic indigenous people.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 15, 2014
Accession Number
ADA609245

Entities

People

  • William J. Clayton Iii

Organizations

  • Naval War College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Space
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Arctic Regions
  • Climate Change
  • Coast Guard
  • Department Of Defense
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Environment
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Indigenous Population
  • Lessons Learned
  • Military Operations
  • National Security
  • Natural Resources
  • Task Forces
  • United States
  • United States Northern Command
  • War Colleges

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Polar and Arctic Studies
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.