US To Appoint First Arctic Ambassador

The United States is planning to appoint an Ambassador for the Arctic, amid increased Russian military activity in the region.

The Department of State spokesman, Vedant Patel said that the new Ambassador will advance US policy in the northern polar region.

While engaging with the seven other Arctic nations Canada, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Russia as well as indigenous groups and other stakeholders.

Report says the announcement comes as Russia steps up its presence near the North Pole, while China has been building Arctic research stations.

Challenges
Meanwhile, Nato’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited the Canadian Arctic on Friday, where he said Russia’s capabilities in the North are a strategic challenge for the military alliance.

He said the challenges include the reopening of “hundreds of new and former Soviet-era Arctic military sites” and Russia’s use of the high north “as a testbed for the most advanced weapons including hypersonic missiles.”

Mr. Stoltenberg also expressed concern about China’s reach into the Arctic for shipping and resources exploration.

“Beijing and Moscow have also pledged to intensify practical operations in the Arctic. This forms part of the deepening strategic partnership that challenges our values and our interests,” he said.

He also outlined how climate change is making the high north more important because melting ice is making the area more accessible.

Arctic Ambassador
A Republican Senator for Alaska, Lisa Murkowski welcomed the appointment of an Arctic Ambassador.

She said the US had been the only Arctic nation without dedicated diplomatic representation for the region at the ambassador level.

The new ambassador will replace the previous US position of Arctic Coordinator, held by career diplomat Jim DeHart.

BBC/CO