The Arctic is at an inflection point. Increased interest in natural resources and future commercial shipping lanes, climate change impacts, and geopolitical maneuvering are ushering in a new era of strategic competition between the United States, Russia, and China in the region. Security cooperation between the United States and its Allies and partners is vital to managing these challenges. This Special Report focuses on one aspect of Arctic security cooperation, i.e., that between the United States and Canada. The US-Canada relationship is considered unique in foreign policy and security circles in terms of both its depth and breadth (Friedman & Lefler, forthcoming). US defense arrangements with Canada are more extensive than with any other country. Hundreds of bilateral partnerships have been forged between Canadian and US armed forces, homeland security and border agencies, intelligence departments, and civilian emergency preparedness agencies. These countries, too, have common strategic interests, a joint military history, and geographic proximity. Although not aligned on every issue, these two countries also share fundamental values, principles, and a commitment to the rule of law.
