NATO’s renewed Arctic commitment: strategic adaptation to climate change, Russian ambitions and Chinese expansion
The Arctic is emerging as a region of critical geopolitical importance, mainly due to the wide effects of climate change, which are opening the Russian Arctic to economic and military expansion, and attracting Chinese investments. NATO has been engaged in the region since its creation; however, in recent times, it began to recalibrate its strategic posture to address the new growing challenges. This paper investigates the Alliance’s renewed commitment to the High North, putting it into context with the emergence of new, pressing security challenges in the region. First, after discussing NATO’s historical security stance in the Arctic, the focus is shifted to the threat-multiplying effect climate change has on regional security. Next, the paper emphasizes the expanding influence of Russia and the rising role of China as key actors in the Arctic. These security challenges lay the ground for the analysis of the Alliance’s expanding commitment and reinforced focus on its northern flank.
About the author:
Giustiniano Cesare Vasey is Legal Research Manager at Finabel
