Arktis

 

Congressional hearing examines challenges posed by Russia, China in the Arctic

By 

Gary Warner

Stars and Stripes • March 27, 2026

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An NH90 NATO helicopter prepares to land in an airfield in Setermoen, Norway, March 18, 2026. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte visited U.S. Marines and NATO Allies to highlight the strength of NATO’s joint force while observing their operational capabilities in an Arctic environment during Cold Response 26.  (Alexis French/U.S. Marine Corps)

Russia and China are challenging the American and allied presence in the Arctic by expanding military and commercial activity around the North Pole at a time when American military focus is on other parts of the world, a congressional panel was told.

“If we do not maintain a sustained focus on strengthening America’s Arctic security, we will have failed in our duty to protect the United States,” Heather Conley, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, testified Thursday.