Security Nexus Perspective Calls for Bold U.S. Arctic Strategy Through a North American Federation
A Security Nexus perspective, “Securing the Northern Frontier with a U.S. Arctic Federation,” by Dr. Deon Canyon, argues that the United States must dramatically expand its Arctic presence by forming a U.S.-led federation with key North American territories: Alaska, Greenland, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut. The article outlines how melting sea ice, militarized rival activity, and untapped strategic resources have transformed the Arctic into a high-stakes geopolitical frontier. While Russia and China have made rapid advances—reactivating bases, launching icebreakers, and investing in Arctic infrastructure—the U.S. has struggled with underinvestment and minimal reach. To reverse this trend, Canyon proposes the formation of a U.S. Arctic Federation that would enhance sovereignty, secure critical minerals, close military gaps, and strengthen control over emerging sea lanes like the Northwest Passage.