The Antarctic Treaty of 1961 largely prevented conflicts on the continent, but growing pressure on the treaty system could affect the global community and the United States. This article utilizes historical documents and press reports to examine these challenges, which include ice deterioration, unreported and unregulated fishing, resource extraction preparation, and hostilities between treaty members. Given that these challenges involve China and Russia, it is in the United States’ interest to understand them and the potential request for US military intervention to maintain global security and treaty interests.

Read the article here: https://press.armywarcollege.edu/parameters/vol53/iss3/12/

Download the full episode transcript here: https://media.defense.gov/2023/Nov/21/2003344884/-1/-1/0/DP-4-24-podcast-transcript-Bridely-Matthews.PDF

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Keywords: Antarctica, Antarctic Treaty, sea levels, unreported and unregulated fishing, global power competition