The Arctic maritime domain is increasingly contested as sea ice recedes and access to strategic waterways expands. This brief examines how maritime infrastructure in the Arctic becomes militarized in narrative or in function, focusing on the frameworks used to assess militarization, recent Russian and Chinese behaviors, and the implications for U.S. defense posture. Infrastructure investments across the region—ports, refueling hubs, search and rescue (SAR) stations, and communications systems—are often presented as civilian or dual-use. However, the line between civilian and military utility is frequently blurred and politicized, especially by state actors pursuing strategic leverage. This brief offers threshold criteria and recommendations for U.S. commanders and planners seeking to distinguish legitimate civil infrastructure from latent or politicized military use.
