Arctic policy is backed by tangible action and resources. China’s aggressive Arctic ambitions, including the construction of multiple icebreakers and a new naval base with Russia and North Korea, highlight the importance of maintaining a strong presence in the region. Despite the US Coast Guard’s efforts to procure new icebreakers, delays and cost overruns have hindered progress. The establishment of an international partnership with Canada and Finland for icebreaker construction shows promise, but the slow pace of development raises concerns. As China continues to expand its Arctic capabilities, the US must prioritize the swift construction of facilities and ships to effectively counteract China’s growing influence in the region.
Policies and Strategy for the Arctic Backed Up with Action
The importance of having solid policies and strategies for the Arctic cannot be overstated. It is crucial for countries to have a clear plan of action when it comes to this region, given its strategic and environmental significance.
However, having policies and strategies in place is not enough. It is equally important for these plans to be backed up with concrete action. Without action, policies are merely words on paper and strategies are just ideas that never materialize.
Therefore, it is imperative for governments to not only create policies and strategies for the Arctic but also to implement them effectively. This requires a commitment to follow through on promises and a willingness to invest resources and manpower into making these plans a reality.
Ultimately, the success of any policy or strategy for the Arctic will be measured by the actions taken to implement it. Only through decisive and effective action can we hope to address the challenges facing this unique and fragile region.
Views expressed in this article are opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
