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The article explores the security postures of Canada, Denmark, Norway and the Russian Federation as they relate to protecting their interests in the Arctic region. According to the article, these countries face a common set of challenges that include mitigating the impact of climate change to asserting their sovereign prerogatives over border disputes while each seeks to protect a common set of interests of varying degrees of priority. The article explains how each nation, from the perspectives of their historical context approach their Arctic policy.

The article discusses the most pressing U.S. security interest in the Arctic region. The effects of climate change has provided an urgent imperative for the U.S. to adapt its maritime strategy and posture in the region. These include "soft" issues such as governance, continental shelf and boundary issues, scientific cooperation, economic and conservation. The traditional "hard" security interests include both national and homeland security concerns such as missile defense and deployment of sea and air systems for strategic deterrence and operations.

The article discusses the assets of the Arctic region. Aside from its vast hydrocarbon deposits, the region is also rich in natural resources with coal comprising 10% of the world's remaining reserve, commercially viable forest stocks and vast fisheries. The ice-free Nothwest passage provides 20% shorter shipping route between Europe and Asia that creates potential for a lucrative shipping industry. Russia, the U.S., Canada, Norway and Denmark are claimants of the region, and the question of ownership provides an interesting debate to the issue.

The article analyzes the current Arctic institutional construct and its relevance to future challenges. The Arctic Council, composed of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, the Russian Federation, Sweden and the U.S. provides the most potential for a comprehensive resolution of various issues in the Arctic despite its limited ability to address military matters. The article also discusses the relevance of the Ilulissat Declaration and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea in the context of Arctic regional security and cooperation.

The article discusses the geo-strategic relevance of the new-found profitability of the Arctic region in view of the melting northern polar cap. The Arctic region and its abundant resources open opportunities for multilateral cooperation and regional competition, particularly conflicting territorial claims by countries and managing maritime resources. Within this scenario, the article explains that it is critical to articulate U.S. strategic interests in the region to develop a plan of action to ensure U.S. leadership in the evolving Arctic region.

The article offers short and long term recommendations for future U.S. policy in the Arctic region. According to the article, the U.S. must take steps to enhance its strategic posture in the region to make it a model of regional cooperation. In the short term, its most vital step is the ratification of the Law of the Sea Convention to resolve claims on extended continental shelf. In the long term, the U.S. should appoint a lead agency on Arctic matters or have the U.S. National Security Council play a more visible coordination role in the region.