Captain Melissa Bert, USCG, argues that the United States will lose out economically and environmentally if it does not take advantage of resources in the Alaskan Arctic.

John B. Bellinger III says President Obama should seize the opportunity presented by Republican support for increased domestic oil and gas production to urge the Senate to approve the Law of the Sea Convention.

Scott Borgerson and Caitlyn Antrim argue that the United States should show leadership on the formation of an Arctic "polar park" for international scientific research.

President Bush is right to demand an immediate end to the looting and shooting in Georgia by Russia, but he should also turn his attention to recent aggressive Russian activity in the opening Arctic, writes Scott Borgerson

Writing from within the Arctic Circle, Michael Gerson, describes the harsh realities of an ecosystem being tangibly changed by the climate disruption that stems from global warming.

John B. Bellinger III argues that the United States does not need a new treaty for the Arctic.

A broad-sweeping look at international efforts to combat climate change. This is part of the Global Governance Monitor, an interactive feature tracking multilateral approaches to several global challenges.

Unlike its Arctic neighbors, the United States is failing to take full advantage of the tremendous economic potential of the Arctic region. Captain Melissa Bert argues for U.S. ratification of the Law of the Sea Convention; international polar shipping standards; and an aircraft, icebreaker, and shore-based infrastructure acquisition program funded by Arctic oil and gas lease proceeds.

President Barack Obama signed this strategy on May 10, 2013, ahead of June 2013 meetings with Alaska natives, Alaska officials, and other Arctic stakeholders.

The Premier of Greenland and representatives of Canada, Denmark, Norway, the Russia, and the United States held a conference on May 28, 2008 in Ilulissat, Greenland. They agreed upon this declaration about the sovereignty of the Arctic region and how the five nations bordering the Arctic Ocean can address the effects of climate change in the region.

The Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty "was signed in Madrid on October 4, 1991 and entered into force in 1998. It designates Antarctica as a 'natural reserve, devoted to peace and science' ".

The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) was adopted on May 20, 1980 and entered into force on April 7, 1982.

News, maps, scientific research, international relations, and more resources about the Arctic and polar regions.

Scott G. Borgerson discusses the melting Arctic, before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.