U.S. Navy Prepares for Militarization of Arctic

[phantom power]

While hoping for a future of cooperation with other nations, the U.S. Navy is simultaneously planning for potential combat situations that may arise once global warming has melted the Arctic Ocean’s summer ice within two decades. A 35-page memo from the Department of the Navy spells out a five-year plan expressing the need to develop new technology and strategies in the event things become contentious in the open waters of the Arctic Circle by 2030.

“This opening of the Arctic may lead to increased resource development, research, tourism, and could reshape the global transportation system,” read the memo authored by Admiral Jonathan W. Greenert, vice-chief of Naval Operations. “These developments offer opportunities for growth, but also are potential sources of competition and conflict for access and natural resources.”

Naval officials want America’s sea-faring forces to be able to execute undersea warfare, expeditionary warfare, strike warfare, strategic sealift and regional security co-operation.

http://www.allgov.com/ViewNews/US_Navy_Prepares_for_Militarization_of_the_Arctic_91130

[Captain Hilts]

1. They and Russia and Canada and Britain have been doing this for 50 years. Not news. nt

[phantom power]

2. I disagree, because the context is changing.

Firstly, the Arctic is soon going to be open to surface navies in the summer. Secondly, that will make it possible to access fossil fuel resources that are becoming increasingly scarce elsewhere.

There's going to be a resource war up there, and the big players are all preparing for it to be a hot war. Just on general principles.

[Captain Hilts]

4. We're a long way from those resources being worth fighting for.

I studied international oil and minerals trade and Soviet resource policy, and I live in the naval community.

There isn't a whole lot new going on up there. The melting of ice has made it more accessible, but only the degree has changed. It's still more a security issue than an economic one. The Russians, for one, would not find these resources any easier to exploit than those in Siberia. So, it's still a security issue.

[RaleighNCDUer]

3. Melt Station Zebra. nt

[pscot]

5. Military procurement

is the country's only growth industry. It's time to take away some of their toys.