by Walter Berbrick (Author), Gaélle Piché (Author), Michael Zimmerman (Author)
The Arctic's growing strategic importance in world affairs and the increasing attention it receives from states inside and outside the region warrants greater cooperation and understanding of practical measures for maintaining regional security and stability. Approaches that seek to systematically isolate one of the Arctic states, particularly Russia, will only contribute to mistrust and impede prospects for regional stability. The product of a three-year project by twenty Arctic scholars and practitioners, The Newport Manual on Arctic Security sets out thirty international principles of security applicable to this maritime region. It addresses topics related to awareness, confidence-building measures, and capabilities. An extensive commentary accompanies each principle, which sets forth its basis during peacetime, explains practical barriers and solutions to implementation, and outlines critical disagreements within the group. Transparency, cooperation, and communication provide the basis for the principles and commentary. This book is policy--and politics--neutral and does not represent the official position, plans, or policies of any state or international organization, including the U.S. Naval War College. The project's leadership was committed to objectivity and has included the views of all participants to reach consensus on future prospects for cooperation and agreement.
Author Biography
Walter Berbrick is as an associate professor in the War Gaming Department, founding director of the Arctic Studies Group, and co-lead scholar of the Newport Arctic Scholars Initiative. He served as the senior arctic policy advisor to the secretary of the Navy and special representative for the Arctic Region at the U.S. State Department. Berbrick is an International Affairs Fellow and member with the Council on Foreign Relations, holds a Doctorate from Northeastern University, and served 10 years in the U.S. Navy. Gaëlle Rivard Piché is a defense scientist for Defence Research and Development Canada. She holds a PhD in International Affairs from Carleton University, Ottawa, Canada. Lieutenant Colonel Michael Zimmerman earned his BA in History from Ohio State and JD from the University of Cincinnati. Commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 2000, he served as the principle legal advisor for the Commander of U.S. Marine Corps Forces Europe and Africa, where he advised on the international law ramifications of activities throughout Europe, with a primary focus on the Arctic.