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2020 | OriginalPaper | Buchkapitel

No UNCLOS, No Icebreakers, No Clue? U.S. Arctic Policy Through the Eyes of Congress

verfasst von : Victoria Herrmann, Lillian Hussong

Erschienen in: Handbook on Geopolitics and Security in the Arctic

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

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Abstract

The U.S. is oft described as the reluctant Arctic nation; in spite of its geopolitical potential to become a circumpolar superpower, that potential remains unrealized. With no strong fleet of icebreakers, no UNCLOS membership, and no regional military strategy, the positioning of the U.S. as a weak Arctic power simultaneously undermines its own national security and limits its role in fostering peace across the North. The proposed book chapter will analyze the role of Congress in U.S. Arctic policymaking and military leadership. First, the chapter will provide a brief survey of U.S. congressional actions related to Arctic security from 2007 to 2018, using a widened security perspective to include the nexus of national, climate, energy, and military security measures. Then, through a critical discourse analysis of published documents, speeches, and legislation, the chapter will analyze congressional action on Arctic energy, climate, UNCLOS, leadership, and icebreaking vessels. The chapter will conclude with a consideration of what the future holds for U.S. engagement in the Arctic and pathways for augmented congressional support for leadership in the region.

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Titel: No UNCLOS, No Icebreakers, No Clue? U.S. Arctic Policy Through the Eyes of Congress
verfasst von: Victoria Herrmann
Lillian Hussong
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Buch: Handbook on Geopolitics and Security in the Arctic
Print ISBN: 978-3-030-45004-5

Electronic ISBN: 978-3-030-45005-2

Copyright-Jahr: 2020
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-45005-2_2

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