Abstract
This chapter explores the platforms, leadership processes, agenda and resulting complexity of the US Chairmanship of the Arctic Council (2015–2017). It examines the making of the “strategic agenda” that was at the foundation of the U.S. Chairmanship’s Program and then assesses the Chairmanship itself. What has the U.S. Chairmanship meant for the Arctic Council? What did the Arctic Council mean for the U.S. Chairmanship? What did it contribute to the long- standing work plan of the Arctic Council and its transition to the Finnish Chairmanship in the second half 2017? It concludes that both an entrepreneurial approach to the role of the Chair, and disaggregate agenda-setting effort contributed in no modest way to the stability of the Council’s transition, particularly as it has offset the potentially tumultuous impacts of the U.S. political landscape after the election of Donald Trump.
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Notes
- 1.
For example, regional reports generated through the Arctic Council, such as the ACIA assessment of climate change, or the Arctic Human Development Report, have become foundational to Arctic science.
- 2.
There are dozens of different Departments within the U.S. Government – all involved in creating or enforcing policies which are somehow related to the Arctic region, as well as distinctive organizational, institutional and governmental interests – see GOA 2014 and Alaskan Arctic Policy Commission final report at http://www.akarctic.com/final-report-executive-summary-and-implementation-plan/website.
- 3.
For more information about the AEC go to https://arcticeconomiccouncil.com/
- 4.
For many in the European North, however, the problems of underdevelopment in the North American Arctic were seen by some as “inward looking”. Bennett (2015) suggests that “In essence, the Canadian chairmanship “shifted the gaze of the Arctic Council inwards and towards maritime and telecommunications issues.” She went on to add:” The Iqaluit Declaration reads like an extended version of the theme of “Development for the People of the North.” The declaration’s headings are “Sustaining Arctic Communities,” “Protecting the Unique Arctic Environment,” and “Building a Stronger Arctic Council.” The first line after the preamble notes the establishment of the Arctic Economic Council (AEC), the Canadian Chairmanship’s signature achievement in concretizing its vision of northern development within the official edifices of the Arctic Council. Although the AEC may have a name, board members, three working groups, a slogan (“Fostering Circumpolar Business Partnerships”), a Twitter account, and a website, it still does not have funding, meaning its future may be in doubt despite America’s promise to continue to support it. In phrasing it this way, Bennett actually highlights the real division between understandings of the Arctic that have plagued the Arctic Council when it comes to the issue of its regional impact and mandate. The U.S. Chairmanship departed significantly from the Canadian Chair in its focus and programming in this issue area, turning attention back to what it considered to be more ‘global’ themes.
- 5.
One other significant development that was to influence the U.S. Arctic Chairmanship program, and its general engagement with the Arctic Council, occurred well before. In January 2009 the U.S. adopted the National Security Presidential Directive/NSPD -- 66 / -Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD – Arctic Region Policy - 25 (https://fas.org/irp/offdocs/nspd/nspd-66.pdf). This directive highlighted six priorities, the most important being ‘national security interests’. The Directive also prioritized other issues - such as protecting the Arctic environment and promoting regional cooperation, supporting scientific research and empowering indigenous Arctic communities - in ways that aligned them with U.S. security goals. as well
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- 6.
Hossain and Barala (2017) suggest that the Obama Government reinvigorated Directive 66 through the release of the 2013 National Strategy for the Arctic Region. Directive 66 did not display much of a departure from past U.S. Arctic policy. It was “based on three lines of endeavor, namely strengthening international cooperation, steering the Arctic region in the right direction, and promoting the security interests of the U.S. in the Arctic by safeguarding peace and stability in the region. The U.S. policy goals included taking into account the best science-based knowledge, as well as the traditional knowledge held by the indigenous Arctic peoples, so that national interests are balanced against regional dynamics” (Hossain and Barala 2017, p. 1).
- 7.
For more information of this organization see https://www.algufund.org/about/
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Nicol, H. (2019). The U.S. Chairmanship: Round Two. In: Nord, D. (eds) Leadership for the North. Springer Polar Sciences. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-03107-7_7
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