The iceman cometh: Biden creates an Arctic ambassador

President Joe Biden plans to establish a new ambassador-at-large position focused on the Arctic region, an area of growing geostrategic concern to the United States — as well as Russia and China.

The decision will be unveiled by the State Department on Friday, according to an announcement obtained in advance by POLITICO. The position will be subject to Senate confirmation.

It was not immediately clear who the nominee for the role will be, but a State Department official familiar with the issue predicted a name would be submitted soon.

The Arctic is of growing interest to the United States and its top rivals in part because of climate change. Though the warming of the region could have cataclysmic effects on global sea levels, the reduction in ice has opened new shipping lanes and made possible opportunities for energy extraction. With its long Arctic coastline, Russia is putting its mark on the region, including by expanding its military presence. China has eyes on the territory, too, calling itself a “near-Arctic state” and seeking ways to expand its access for economic and other reasons.