Arctic Prospects: Problems and Opportunities

Abstract

The preceding chapters have clearly demonstrated that the Arctic will be of growing importance to the United States over the next two decades. Issues of national security, resource development, science, and environmental protection have infused new groups into Arctic affairs and increased the activities and concerns of those traditionally involved. A prerequisite for improved relations among Arctic-rim countries is knowledge and understanding of each nation’s resource development and strategic objectives in the Arctic. Cooperation in any region is more likely to take place when nations and other constituencies are convinced that benefits can be derived from working with, or at least not against, one another. This chapter summarizes the existing problems and highlights the opportunities for greater cooperation between countries and among competing interest groups.