Inside the West's race to defend the Arctic

Russia holds a large advantage in the high north. NATO’s effort to catch up is beset by challenges.

- Sune Engel Rasmussen

The West is racing to catch up with Russian and Chinese expansion in the Arctic, amid geopolitical conflicts.

(ISTOCKPHOTO)

Greenland lurked in the distance as Capt. Donald Gibson rushed to the bridge of his cargo ship amid a sudden Arctic storm. Snow lashed against the pilothouse windows while he and his crew struggled to control the vessel and steer clear of icebergs.

Down in the ship’s hold was construction material needed to upgrade thenorthernmost military outpost, a Canadian spy station providing crucial intelligence on Russia’s military.

After nine days traversing 2,500 nautical miles, pitching on swells from Hurricane Erin, the Canadian-flagged Nunalik had reached its destination—30 minutes late. It was Friday, and dockworkers in the port of the U.S.’s Pituffik Space Base had already gone home for the August weekend. The delivery would have to wait.

“[dhave thought they would have taken us in and welcomed us after a longjourney,” said 66-year-old Canadian Gibson, who has sailed since he was 18.

The West isracing to catch up with Russian and Chinese expansion in the Arctic, one of the world’s most contested places, ina new era of geopolitical conflict. Itis also working out its priorities.

Defending the Arctic—an environment that for centuries has thwarted ambitions of explorers and governments—will demand big budgets, unprecedented resources and determination. Even the most basic elements of operating a military base in the high Arctic are extremely cumbersome. Asthe Nunalik’s lost weekend suggests, the West is only awak-eningto the challenge.

Russia, Gibson said, probably wouldn't leavea cargo ship of military supplies drifting ina blizzard because port workers had gone home.

“We want to develop the north, we want to compete,” he said with frustration. “But there’s no rush.”