US Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi has written to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging him to fill the Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs position to bolster America’s role in this strategically vital region. The post has been vacant since January, when its first holder, Mike Sfraga, stepped down. Krishnamoorthi warned that the vacancy allows Beijing and Moscow to shape regional norms to their advantage.
The Arctic is one of the world’s most strategically vital regions. As one of the eight Arctic Council members, the US relies on the Ambassador-at-Large for Arctic Affairs to lead engagement and coordinate interests in safety and security, economic development, and intergovernmental cooperation. Yet the position has sat vacant since January, when inaugural holder Mike Sfraga stepped down, raising concerns among Democrats.
In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, Illinois Democrat Raja Krishnamoorthi highlighted China’s behaviour as having grown “more hostile” over the past year, citing reports of Chinese research vessels operating in the US Arctic during the summer. He stressed the urgency of restoring the role to counter China and Russia’s influence.
“Leaving the US envoy position vacant thus allows Beijing and Moscow to attempt to shape regional norms to their advantage,” Krishnamoorthi warned. The letter underscores US stakes in areas like Alaska, Greenland, and the Bering Sea.
The Arctic Council serves as the primary forum for US interactions with nations including Russia. Krishnamoorthi’s plea reflects Washington’s growing unease over Beijing’s increasing activity in the Arctic, such as Chinese scientists conducting a “crucial” expedition in the Arctic Ocean.
