The North Atlantic once more becomes a geopolitical front-line

NATO has renewed its focus on the North Atlantic for the first time since the Cold War. The move is signalled by the creation of the US-led Joint Force Command Norfolk (JFC-NF) (Robert Ackerman, 2020). The command aims to counter growing Russian naval activity which has been perceived by allied officials as ‘overwhelming’ (Mark Nicol, 2020), and protect underwater cables which carry American and European economic and communications data across the Atlantic, from being tapped or cut by adversarial powers (Alexandra Brzozowski, 2020). JFC-NF commander, Admiral Lewis notes the US is now in a “fourth battle for the Atlantic” (Robert Ackerman, 2020).

A Biden presidency with its commitment to strengthen and harness US and allied forces to “rapidly meet new challenges” (Aaron Mehta, 2020) is likely to support the renewed NATO naval build-up. But the Atlantic’s return to the geopolitical frontlines may have negative repercussions for an Atlantic shipping industry already reeling from Covid-19 (Greg Miller, 2020), as insurance premiums in the previously stable ocean could rise in line with tensions.