Arctic

CSIS’s Europe, Russia, and Eurasia Program and the Energy Security and Climate Change Program provide analysis and policy recommendations on the growing geopolitical and strategic challenges in the Arctic.

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Frozen Frontiers: China’s Great Power Ambitions in the Polar Regions

Chinese scientific research and commercial investments in the Arctic and Antarctica have elevated China’s voice in polar affairs, but its growing physical footprint in the world’s most remote frontiers also advance China’s broader strategic and military interests.

Digital Report by Matthew P. Funaiole , Brian Hart , Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. , and Aidan Powers-Riggs — April 18, 2023

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Arctic Security after a Year of War

Hosted by Lillan and Robert D. Stuart Jr. Center in Euro-Atlantic and Northern European Studies
January 25, 2023 • 4:00 – 4:45 pm EST
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Russia’s Northern Fleet Deploys Long-Range Interceptors to Remote Arctic Base

Forward deployments of long-range aircraft to remote airbases in the Arctic, if proven practical in the harsh northern environment, may represent a significant addition to Russia’s capabilities for power projection and area denial.

Commentary by Matthew P. Funaiole , Joseph S. Bermudez Jr. , and Colin Wall — April 14, 2021

U.S.-Russian Arctic Relations: A Change in Climate?

President Biden in the Arctic can secure two much-needed successes for U.S.-Russian cooperation on climate change and the environment: financing for research on the implications of permafrost thaw and creating a program to study fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean.

Commentary by Colin Wall and Heather A. Conley — March 31, 2021

Leveraging Allies and Partners

Taking its cue from the 2018 National Defense Strategy, this brief examines the extensive benefits the United States can derive from intensifying cooperation with allies and partners—in this case, Norway, a NATO ally, and Finland, a highly capable partner.

Brief by Colin Wall and Rachel Ellehuus — January 28, 2021

Deep Dive Debrief: Strategic Stability and Competition in the Arctic

This brief focuses on the implications of climate, economic, and political trends in the Arctic region for strategic stability, great power competition, and nuclear stability, policy, and posture. It is the third in the Project on Nuclear Issues Deep Dive Debrief series.

Brief by Eric Brewer , Rebecca Hersman , and Maxwell Simon — January 6, 2021

Surprise and Stability in the High North

The Department of Defense’s dynamic force employment concept uses operational unpredictability to maximize resources and complicate adversary planning. Yet this new emphasis on surprise and lack of transparency and predictability risks upsetting regional stability.

Commentary by Rachel Ellehuus , Johannes Gullestad Rø , Robin Allers , and Ingeborg Bjur — December 14, 2020

Geopolitics and Neglected Arctic Spaces

As the Arctic gains in geostrategic significance, the world’s most powerful countries are turning northward. In this edition of Northern Connections, three experts outline how it looks when countries in the region must balance the competing interests of outside powers.

Report by Colin Wall , Rachel Ellehuus , Andreas Østhagen , Jon Rahbek-Clemmensen , Margrét Cela , and Pia Hansson — November 2, 2020

U.S.-Russia Relations at a Crossroads

Washington and Moscow diverge on a growing list of challenges. But even in areas where the two remain far apart, deconfliction mechanisms should be complemented by diplomatic dialogue that clearly communicates assessments of regional dynamics and policy priorities, and demarcates red lines.

Report by Heather A. Conley , Cyrus Newlin , Natalia Viakhireva , and Ivan Timofeev — October 29, 2020

Online Event: Russia's Military Posture in the Arctic

Does Russia pursue territorial protection or new offensive capabilities? How should policymakers respond to concerning developments in Russian undersea capabilities and new weapons systems? And what is the nature of Russian and Chinese military interaction in the Arctic?

Event by Heather A. Conley , Katarzyna Zysk , and Michael Kofman — June 30, 2020

Will New Funding Rules Kill Alaska’s Oil Boom?

In early 2020, several banks announced they would no longer directly finance projects in the Arctic. The tightly worded policies will not halt Alaska’s oil boom, but they might slow it.

Commentary by Nikos Tsafos — June 29, 2020

Is the United States Having an ‘Arctic Moment’ on Icebreaker Acquisition?

On June 9, the White House released a memorandum directing the U.S. government to review the lack of icebreaking capabilities in the polar regions. The United States needs a modern icebreaking fleet to compete with systemic rivals in the Arctic and Antarctic regions.

Commentary by Heather A. Conley and Max Shafron — June 12, 2020