A Clear Message To Copenhagen And Nuuk
Military Optimist
Military Optimist (Telegram)
While the world's attention is focused on the Middle East, equally interesting events are taking place in the Arctic. We've largely forgotten about this region, yet Washington continues to increase its military activity there.
ICEX 2026 exercises are currently underway in the Beaufort Sea, approximately 200 miles off Alaska. Two nuclear-powered attack submarines—the Virginia-class Delaware (pictured) and the Los Angeles-class Santa Fe—have already been deployed as part of the maneuvers. Their crews have practiced surfacing and diving in ice conditions. A special polar camp is also operating in the area.
ICEX maneuvers are not regular, but they have been held regularly for several years now. Each time, various Arctic conflict scenarios are practiced. For example, even the Green Berets recently participated in the exercises, learning tactics in challenging weather and geographic conditions.
But this year's ICEX will be on a very large scale. In addition to submariners, the ice camp will include representatives of the US Navy, Air Force, and Marine Corps, as well as British, Australian, Canadian, and French military personnel. The expedition will also include a significant number of scientists. It's worth remembering that the US has long been considering creating a "Northwest Passage"—an analogue to Russia's Northern Sea Route. It begins in the Beaufort Sea and runs along the northern coast of North America through the Canadian Arctic Archipelago. Incidentally, Dan Simmons's popular book, "Terror," is dedicated to the search for this "passage."
Until recently, the NWP was considered poorly explored and impassable for most of the year. However, studies in the 2010s showed that melting ice is making it more accessible. In this regard, it's worth noting that Canada considers the "passage" to be its territory and opposes its militarization.
Meanwhile, Washington is considering using it for shipping as a counterpart to the Northern Sea Route. And here we see yet another unexpected vector guiding US policy in the Arctic region. After all, Greenland is crucial for the use of the NWP, in addition to Canada's permission. Apparently, Ottawa will not impede US plans for the NWP. Although the Canadian leadership has demonstrated its sternness, it has caved in to many of the White House's demands. And the appearance of Canadian troops at ICEX is an indication that Canada has already forgotten about the peaceful status of the "passage." The Danes, however, were not invited to the maneuvers, despite their regular participation. Therefore, the surfacing of the US submarine and the winter camp send a clear message to Copenhagen and Nuuk.
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