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US Politics

US Politics

US and Russia squabble over Arctic security as melting ice opens up shipping routes

Phys Org
Summary
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78% Informative

Greenland is often associated with the island's vast, but largely untapped, mineral resources.

Russia has increased its naval cooperation with China and given Beijing access, and a stake, in the Arctic .

The economic promise of the Arctic , and particularly the region's greater accessibility, have also heightened military and security sensitivities.

Canada has just announced a C$6 billion ( 3.2 billion ) upgrade to facilities in the North American Aerospace Defense Command .

If, and when, a central Arctic shipping route becomes viable, the strategic importance of the archipelago would increase further.

Svalbard is critical to Nato for monitoring and countering Russian , and potentially Chinese , naval activities.

Investing in expanded security cooperation with Denmark and Norway as part of Nato would secure US interests closer to home and send a strong message to Russia .