US: Military Operations

“The Ocean Law Daily” discussed the news that the President and the Department of Defense have been called upon to decide whether, and how, to apportion responsibility among the three combatant commands (Pacific Command, European Command, and Northern Command) that had responsibilities over segments of the Arctic. Reports claim that NorthCom now has responsibility for the Arctic and for Alaska. With strong links to the Department of Homeland Security, it is possible that this newly achieved responsibility of NorthCom will give the Coast Guard the predominant role in the Arctic Ocean since NorthCom’s primary role is homeland defense.