Gordon Chang

“We are woefully short in that department.”

Gordon Chang · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Chang said the U.S. is short on icebreakers for the Arctic.

“There is one choke point though, which is of interest,”

Gordon Chang · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Chang pointed to the Bering Strait as a strategic choke point on the Arctic route.

“You have to go between Russia on the west and our 49th state on the east. And that gives the U.S. some leverage over here.”

Gordon Chang · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Chang explained the Bering Strait gives the U.S. leverage over Arctic shipping between Russia and Alaska.

“China has a major strategic push on the Arctic for various reasons,”

Gordon Chang · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Chang told Fox News Digital about China's strategic push into the Arctic.

“But even more important, regardless of what one thinks of the importance of the Arctic, the Chinese and the Russians are pressing us in the Arctic,”

Gordon Chang · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Chang argued that China and Russia's pressure in the Arctic requires a U.S. response regardless of strategic debates.

“So this is important for China.”

Gordon Chang · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Chang said avoiding traditional choke points is important for China.

“This of course avoids some choke points, like the Strait of Malacca, the Bab el-Mandeb, the Suez Canal, the Strait of Gibraltar,”

Gordon Chang · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Chang noted the Northern Sea Route avoids major maritime choke points used by traditional shipping lanes.

“There are some U.S. national security strategists who say, ‘Oh, the Arctic is a distraction. There are more important places in the world,’”

Gordon Chang · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Chang described skepticism from some U.S. national security strategists about the Arctic's importance.

“Arctic ice is melting, and this means that the Northern Sea Route, which hugs Russia's north coast, does become viable at least for a few months in the summer.”

Gordon Chang · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Chang explained that melting Arctic ice makes the Northern Sea Route viable for part of the year.

“So we've got no choice to respond. Whether we think the Arctic is strategic or not, the Chinese and Russians are there in force. We have to be there too.”

Gordon Chang · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Chang said the U.S. has no choice but to respond given China and Russia's forceful Arctic presence.

“We need to be in the Arctic, and President Trump has authorized more icebreakers,”

Gordon Chang · said date not stated · reported 2026-08-20

Chang said the U.S. needs a stronger Arctic presence and noted Trump authorized more icebreakers.