March 25, 2014

The Arctic’s Changing Landscape: Addressing New Maritime Challenges

By Isaiah Reed, Joel Smith and Linda A. Sturgis

Senior Coast Guard Fellow Linda Sturgis, Research Associate Joel Smith and Energy, Environment and Security Intern Isaiah Reed, all of CNAS, examine the Arctic region's changing landscape by addressing its new Maritime challenges. The authors discover that as maritime activity grows, there is "mounting concern" that the Arctic is at risk of environmental degradation, illicit activity, economic competition and restricted freedom of navigation for U.S. military and commercial vessels. The authors note that, "To manage the imminent challenges presented by growing maritime activity in the Arctic, the United States must develop targeted nearterm measures to protect vital security, safety, social and economic interests in the region."

Authors

  • Isaiah Reed

  • Joel Smith

  • Linda A. Sturgis

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