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Across the United States this week, Americans will celebrate 250 years of American sovereignty since the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Not until nearly a century later, though, did the U.S. become an Arctic nation with the Alaska Purchase in 1867.

Much of Arctic warfare’s history was written in the European High North. Conflicts like the Winter War and Liberation of Finnmark taught the Nordics important Arctic operational lessons.

What do the Svalbard Treaty and the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) have in common? For a few days in April 2026, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was part of both. Those days ended, though, on April 28 when the UAE left OPEC. OPEC coordinates production of over one-third of global oil, giving it leverage over the geographically concentrated supply. Like oil, other geographically concentrated resources characterized by inelastic global demand and long project time horizons enable political leverage.

In the Arctic-Pacific, does the flag follow trade or vice versa?

Last July’s Arctic Security Update introduced the players and the game in the Arctic-Pacific. This installment takes a closer look at how economic security and defense priorities converge in the ArcticPacific.