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Russia Following Rules in Arctic, US Should Monitor Force Buildup - Think Tank

© Sputnik / Anna Yudina / Go to the mediabankRussian polar explorers work to set up a new drifting station in the Arctic
Russian polar explorers work to set up a new drifting station in the Arctic - Sputnik International
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US Naval War College Russian Maritime Studies Institute founding director Michael Petersen says that Russia has operated in the Arctic according to rules governing the region.

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WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Russia has operated in the Arctic according to rules governing the region, but the United States and NATO should pay more attention to the buildup of force levels and capabilities there, US Naval War College Russian Maritime Studies Institute founding director Michael Petersen, told Sputnik.

"Russia has actually, to my mind, and this is a contested point among observers, mostly played by the rules in the Arctic and they have demonstrated a level of cooperation on Arctic issues that is useful," Petersen said on Wednesday.

However, Russia’s expanding military presence in the Arctic warrants some caution on the part of the United States and NATO, Petersen warned.

"They are expanding their capabilities — they have always had tremendous capability to operate in the Arctic — and are increasing their forces," Petersen stated. "That gives me pause, given Russia's recent history of relative cooperation on Arctic issues.

He added, "I am still optimistic that we can find areas to cooperate."

The goal of his institute, Petersen explained, is to cull "the best of what academic research is out there" and use it to help inform US stakeholders’ decisions about handling challenges that emanate from Russia.

The institute, based in the US state of Rhode Island, directs that research to the US Navy, Coast Guard, joint force, Department of Defense and other entities.

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