Why the Arctic matters in the 21st century

FILE - This picture shows sailing boats in Skjervoy Fjord, in northern Norway within the Arctic Circle, on Nov. 15, 2024. A map of the Arctic Region

The Arctic is one of the coldest and least populated regions on Earth, much of it covered by ice. But in recent years it has become one of the most important sites of geopolitical tensions — and a key focus of American policy.