U.S. to launch Arctic defense roundtable eyeing Russia, China

WASHINGTON -- The U.S will strengthen its partnership with Arctic allies amid heightened concerns of China's growing cooperation with Russia, which could impact regional stability, the U.S. military said in a new strategy for the region.

An Arctic Security Policy Roundtable will be developed to discuss defense issues, the strategy said. It will complement the Arctic Council, the high-level international forum on the Arctic, which explicitly excludes defense topics.