News analysis

US, Canada grapple with challenges of opening Arctic

Territorial issues and environmental impact growing concerns as race for Arctic heats up

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The Arctic is now the highest priority for the US Coast Guard, its outgoing commander, Admiral Paul Zukunft, says.

"We may see an ice-free Arctic as early as 2030," the admiral said at a recent talk at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). "Each year, we're seeing record receding of sea ice."

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 19, 2018, with the headline US, Canada grapple with challenges of opening Arctic. Subscribe