Biden Prioritizes Arctic and Antarctic Regions in US Foreign Policy
President Joe Biden has underscored the importance of the Arctic and Antarctic regions in his first public address on US foreign policy and national security. The speech highlighted the strategic significance of these areas, marked by increased accessibility due to climate change, and emphasized the need for a renewed focus on US presence and capabilities in these regions.
The Arctic and Antarctic differ significantly in their geography, sovereignty, and treaty systems. However, both regions' influence is largely determined by the presence of nations. Biden's speech signaled the administration's intent to prioritize US interest and activity in these regions.
The President emphasized the challenges posed by China and Russia, both of which have been actively expanding their influence and capabilities in the Arctic and Antarctic. Russia currently has the largest icebreaker fleet, while China's fleet is growing rapidly. The US, however, lags behind in polar capabilities.
To address this, Biden highlighted the importance of the Coast Guard's Polar Security Cutter (PSC) program. This program is crucial for developing US polar security capabilities and supporting US Space Command. The PSC program and any follow-on acquisitions should be designed to operate across the competition continuum in challenging environments. Despite no specific authorities or institutions mentioned, the Coast Guard's unique status, broad authority, and multi-mission flexibility make it an important piece of the US's twenty-first-century national security mosaic.
Polar orbits have unique value for environmental monitoring, defense surveillance, and intelligence purposes, making access to these regions strategically important. The Coast Guard's role in assisting US Space Command for space security in the polar regions is expected to grow in significance.
Biden's speech marked a clear shift in US policy towards the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The administration's intent to prioritize US interest and activity in these areas, along with the development of polar security capabilities, signals a response to the growing influence of other nations and the strategic importance of these regions in the face of climate change.
