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Polar Perspectives No. 13 | The Intelligence Community Must Evolve to Meet the Reality of Arctic Change

Polar Perspectives No. 13 - Cover Photo
Polar Perspectives No. 13 - Cover Photo

US strategies for the Arctic consistently reflect the desire for the region to be stable, peaceful, and governed by international law. The 2022 National Defense Strategy reflects an understanding of the region’s strategic importance but also that “US activities and posture in the Arctic should be calibrated, as the Department preserves its focus on the Indo-Pacific region.” The targeted interventions recommended in this publication seek to enhance intelligence support to policy and military interests in the region, in such a calibrated way. By enhancing coordination and collaboration, tweaking bureaucratic structures, and strengthening engagement with allies, the US will be able to grow intelligence community efficiency and effectiveness, thereby alleviating unnecessary effort or redundancy while better positioning our country for the complex challenges to come.

In the 13th edition of Polar Perspectives, Marisol Maddox and Lyston Lea analyze three threats in the Arctic and put forth six recommendations for the Intelligence community to consider.


Polar Institute

Since its inception in 2017, the Polar Institute has become a premier forum for discussion and policy analysis of Arctic and Antarctic issues, and is known in Washington, DC and elsewhere as the Arctic Public Square. The Institute holistically studies the central policy issues facing these regions—with an emphasis on Arctic governance, climate change, economic development, scientific research, security, and Indigenous communities—and communicates trusted analysis to policymakers and other stakeholders.  Read more