Alaska Governor warns of threat to 'American Suez', the Arctic, from China and Russia

Juneau: – A week ago, the global marine freight movement had been affected as the freight liner Ever Given got stuck in the Suez Canal. 12% of the worldwide freight movement passes through the Suez Canal. But there is a perceived future threat to the American Suez, meaning the Arctic sector, capable of handling more freight movement. Governor of Alaska, Mike Dunleavy, warned that China and Russia could take over this American Suez. Dunleavy also appealed to the US administration to take expeditious steps in the matter.

In an article written for a newspaper, Governor Dunleavy said there is an immediate need for the US administration to prepare a plan for the security of Alaska. Currently, freight movement is complex in the Arctic Northern Sea sector due to the icebergs in the region. But the situation will not be the same in the future.

In the next 30 years, the obstacle of icebergs will clear, and this sector could become a significant pathway for the international freight movement. In that scenario, Dunleavy said that the freight movement through the Panama Canal would reduce, and the United States will be the biggest beneficiary. Dunleavy appealed that, taking this into account, the United States should initiate strategic moves in the matter and take steps to change the dynamics of the international freight movement.

Governor Dunleavy pointed out that Russia and China are already claiming their rights over the region and have created an independent navy and started constructions in the sector. The United States should draft policies to prevent the sector from going under Russian and Chinese control. Dunleavy suggested that the United States should start its efforts to establish the freight route through this sector from now on.

Meanwhile, it is claimed that the Arctic sector has the most extensive and unexplored oil and gas reserves. The United States, Russia, Canada, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Finland have already staked their claims over this mineral wealth. The United States and Russia had sent their submarines to this sector. But in the last few years, China has also started claiming to connect with this region.