The Congressional Research Service has issued a report on Changes in the Arctic. The decline of Arctic sea ice has led to increased human activities in the Arctic, and has increase both interest and concerns about the future or the Arctic region. Although there continues to be significant international cooperation on Arctic issues, the Arctic is increasingly viewed as geopolitical struggle between the United States, Russia, and China.
This report provides an overview of Arctic-related issues for Congress on specific Arctic-related issues; “such as, Arctic territorial disputes; commercial shipping through the Arctic; Arctic oil, gas, and mineral exploration; and, endangered Arctic species. Increased military operations in the Arctic could cause the region in coming years to become an arena of international cooperation, tension, or competition.”
Download the report here.
