Erdem Lamazhapov & Andreas Østhagen
This article discusses the increase of military exercise activity in, and related statements and attention given to, the Bering Sea and Strait geographical spaces before and after the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Using Chinese, Russian, and U.S. sources, we will argue that growing militarization in the Pacific Arctic, including the proliferation of Russo-Chinese military and paramilitary activities, warrants a reevaluation of the strategic importance of Beringia within the context of great power politics in the Arctic and the Pacific. Theoretically, the article turns to signaling theories. The article uses a mix of official policies and statements, media reports, and expert analyses from Chinese, Russian, and U.S. sources to provide an overview of the increased activity in this space. In doing so, the article also discusses the evolving geopolitical dynamics in the North Pacific in light of great power competition between the U.S., China, and Russia. By examining key events such as the joint Russian Chinese bomber exercise off the coast of Alaska, the entry of the Chinese Coast Guard into the Arctic Ocean via the Bering Strait, and joint Russo-Chinese naval exercises and patrols, we will discuss the motivations behind Russia and China’s military activities near Alaska. We hope to contribute to timely discussions about Arctic military, security, and diplomacy and provide insights into the strategic objectives of major powers, namely the U.S., China, and Russia, in the Arctic writ large.
