US, Russia, China compete for Arctic roles despite other major conflicts

The U.S., China and Russia continue to ramp up activity in the emerging competition for the Arctic, according to a new policy review. An Army paratrooper assigned to the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division packs his parachute at Yukon Training Area, Alaska, on Feb. 11, 2026. (Brandon Vasquez/U.S. Army) Russia is in the fifth year of its invasion of Ukraine. The United States sent warships and troops to the Middle East and attacked Iran in February. China maintains that Taiwan is a breakaway province and could one day attempt to force it to return to rule by Beijing. Despite the major military and economic resources devoted to these conflicts, the three nations, along with U.S.

allies in NATO, continue to ramp up activity in the emerging competition for the Arctic, according to a new policy review. The nonpartisan Congressional Research Service released its updated annual report on the region, “Russia’s Arctic Military Posture: Considerations for Congress,” on Oct. 14. Activity on northern sea routes has grown as waters around the North Pole warm. The United States and Russia have reorganized ground troops and aircraft units to strengthen their forward presence in the Arctic. Russia has nearly 15,000 miles of Arctic coastline. President Vladimir Putin has used Russia’s position to underline the “vital” importance of the region