U.S. Arctic security strategies: balancing strategic and operational dimensions

ABSTRACT To date, the American Arctic approach is mostly geostrategically focused, to the exclusion of operational and tactical considerations. Moreover, the strategic components often work towards identifying and defining the problem while offering little in the way of solutions. As a result, Department of Defense (DOD) Arctic policies represent strategic thinking that is reflective of the national discourse, but lacking in doctrinal, Service-level or COCOM direction needed to establish operational and tactical guidance. Aside from the U.S. Coast Guard, DOD joint and service components – especially those with published Arctic policies – have had no national direction to do otherwise than to focus on geopolitical framing. In this article, we suggest that the United States should seek more balance between strategic imperatives and operational requirements and activities. This article begins with a discussion of the theory and doctrine addressing the relationship between the operational and strategic levels. We then survey relevant strategic documents from the U.S. government, seeking to find guidance that would inform both the American strategic approach to arctic security and any operational requirements that result from the strategic approach. Ultimately, we conclude that prioritisation of the Arctic will become apparent when and if the United States sends a demand signal vis-à-vis the National Security Strategy and subsequently establishes clear defence and fiscal mandates in support of stable, programmatic requirements towards operationally defined missions and capabilities.