GREAT POWER INTERESTS IN THE ARCTIC
GREAT POWER INTERESTS IN THE ARCTIC

Author(s): Oana Mihaela VLADU
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences, Politics, International relations/trade, Security and defense
Published by: Carol I National Defence University Publishing House
Keywords: Alaska; Arctic; Arctic security; Bering Strait; Northern Sea Route; Arctic policies; Indigenous communities.
Summary/Abstract: This article examines the strategic, economic, and legal interests of great powers in the Arctic region in mid-2025.Employing methods of documentary research, public policy analysis, synthesis of navigation data, and military exercise reports, the paper maps the competition between Russia, the United States, China, and the Euro-Atlantic allies(NATO/EU).The strategic position of Alaska in the geopolitical architecture of the Arctic is highly significant due to its historical, geopolitical, economic, military, and environmental dimensions, making it a central actor in the region. The main argument posits that, through its proximity to the Bering Strait, its existing military and civil infrastructure, and its institutional ties with the federal government and Indigenous communities, Alaska functions as the pivot of North American policy in the Arctic. It serves both as a platform for deterrence and power projection, and as a node for governance, maritime security, and climate change response. Contemporary challenges are discussed (Russian and Chinese competition, resource exploitation, environmental pressures), and public policy directions are proposed for strengthening Alaska's role within a cooperative yet vigilant framework. The final section outlines the economic interests of key actors and offers brief recommendations for future research.

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