Arctic Issues Reinforce Case for Senate to Ratify Law of the Sea Treaty

President Obama is urging the Senate to ratify the Law of the Sea Treaty, an accord that governs international waterways and helps countries manage maritime disputes. The U.S. is the only major country that hasn’t ratified the treaty, which administration official say would bolster national security, help create jobs and facilitate oil exploration. Opponents argue that the treaty would require the U.S. to forfeit certain royalties and would undermine the nation’s sovereignty in waterways around the world. Senior Fellow Bruce Jones, director of the Managing Global Order project, says it’s time that the U.S. Senate ratify the accord.