The United States is locked in a battle for supremacy with China and Russia that has taken many forms. The constant competition has resulted in the sides looking to gain an advantage in nontraditional battlefields. In space, a previous gentleman’s agreement on warfare no longer holds sway, while there is a constant fight for one-upmanship in the Arctic and in the race to dominate rare earth minerals. This Washington Examiner series, The Next Frontier, will investigate this existential struggle. Part 2 looks at the Arctic.

The Russian military is investing heavily in its Arctic region nuclear capabilities — infrastructure it believes is “critical” for sustained national security amid tense coexistence with its NATO neighbors.