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National Strategy for the Arctic Region

On 10 May 2013 the Obama Administration released the National Strategy for the Arctic Region. Priorities identified in the strategy include: advancing U.S. security interests, pursuing responsible arctic region stewardship, and strengthening U.S. international cooperation.

According to the strategy, the Administration intends to advance these priorities in a manner that safeguards peace and stability in the region, utilizes the best available information for decisions, emphasizes the use of innovative arrangements, and underscores the importance of consulting and coordinating with Alaskan Native communities. The plan recognizes the existing policy structure as an ongoing effort by federal departments and agencies as well as Senators Mark Begich and Lisa Murkowski, Representative Don Young, the State of Alaska, and Alaskan Native communities. The Administration will develop an implementation plan as well as a document defining roles and responsibilities.

Administration officials plan to host roundtable discussions in Alaska in mid-June 2013 to discuss how best to move forward with implementation of the concepts laid out in the National Strategy. Dates and locations for those meetings are to be announced by the Administration.

In addition, on 21 May 2013 the "U.S. Coast Guard: Arctic Strategy" was released. It provides a ten-year guide for U.S. Coast Guard efforts and aims to ensure safe, secure, and environmentally responsible maritime activity in the Arctic. The strategy outlines three key objectives over the next ten years: improving awareness, modernizing governance, and broadening partnerships.

The full National Strategy for the Arctic Region can be found here.

The full U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Strategy can be found here.

For further information about the National Strategy for the Arctic Region and source material for this article, see the White House press release or the related post on The White House Blog.

For further information about the U.S. Coast Guard Arctic Strategy and source material for this article, see the On the Homefront Blog.