Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies

Long before European explorers sailed to North America, Native American and Alaska Native Nations made this land their home. Their story is of resilience, survival and determination to preserve cultures, identities and ways of life. On #IndigenousPeoplesDay, we honor that perseverance and courage and show our gratitude for the many contributions that Indigenous peoples have made to our world.

?? At #ASDC24 gain insight into the evolving security landscape! ? On?November 19, Panel 1:?Allied Perspectives on Defense in the North?will feature senior military leaders from Canada, Denmark, and the UK, discussing national and command perspectives towards the?evolving security environment?in the High North. ? ?? ?Speakers: ·?Rear Admiral Stephen Moorhouse,?Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Operations & Commitments), United Kingdom ·?Major General Soren Andersen,?Commander,?Joint Arctic Command, Kingdom of Denmark ·?Brigadier General Dan Riviere,?Commander,?Joint Task Force North, Canada ·?Mr. Youssef Mani, Arctic Region Assistant Commissioner, Canadian Coast Guard ·?Moderator:?Mr. Matthew Hickey,?Associate Director for Engagement,?Ted Stevens Center ? This timely panel will explore: ·?The impact of strategic competition, technological advances, and climate change on security in the Arctic, North Atlantic, and North Pacific. ·?Strategies for enhanced cooperation as we navigate the "decisive decade"?of the 2020s. ? ?? For more details on this exclusive event visit:??https://lnkd.in/gEXHRexr

Last week, U.S. Coast Guard Vice Adm. Peter W. Gautier, Deputy Commandant for Operations, visited the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies to discuss the challenges and opportunities in the Arctic region. During his visit, Gautier emphasized the importance of a whole-of-government approach to enhance U.S. Arctic security, as outlined in the National Strategy for the Arctic Region. Gautier also met with Ted Stevens Center Arctic fellows, highlighting the value of collaborative expertise in tackling complex Arctic issues. He also presided over the promotion of Lt. Samuel Krakower to lieutenant commander, reaffirming the oath of office during the ceremony. Thank you to Vice Adm. Gautier for his visit and commitment to advancing collaboration on Arctic security initiatives. To learn more about the National Strategy for the Arctic Region visit: https://lnkd.in/eNSnsgYd #ArcticSecurity | #NationalSecurity | #SecurityCooperation | #TSC | #USCG

???? WARMING ALLIANCES IN THE ARCTIC ???? ?? Check out the High North Security Dialogue video to see what our #GCMC professionals and seminar attendees learned during the week-long course focused on the challenges and opportunities of the European High North and #Arctic region. ??#HNSD24 was co-hosted jointly by the George C. Marshall Center and the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies. ??Participants assessed the impact of climate change, economic development, and innovative technology on the security and stability of the region. HNSD explored the development of an ice curtain along NATO's Northern Flank, producing actionable policy recommendations on building resilience, advancing trans-Atlantic cooperation, countering hybrid warfare, strengthening deterrence and defense. ---- Defense Security Cooperation Agency

We’re excited to introduce U.S. Coast Guard Lt. Cmdr. Samuel Krakower, one of our newest fellows in the Ted Stevens Center Arctic Fellowship Program! Krakower brings extensive leadership and operational experience, having served on four U.S. Coast Guard cutters with six years of sea time, conducting nearly all Coast Guard missions—from the warm waters of the Caribbean to the icy shores of Antarctica. His most recent role was as commanding officer of USCGC RAYMOND EVANS in Key West, Florida. During his fellowship, Krakower seeks to deepen his understanding of the Arctic, focusing on diplomacy, defense, economics, and geopolitical security, while identifying how the U.S. Coast Guard can help maintain a peaceful, stable, and secure Arctic. His previous service aboard one of the nation’s two polar icebreakers ignites his dedication to strengthening America’s presence in the polar regions. He’s particularly interested in learning about the Indigenous peoples of the Arctic and the importance of working alongside those who have called the region home for generations. Additionally, Krakower is exploring ways in which the U.S. Coast Guard can utilize port infrastructure and logistics hubs to support U.S. operations in the Arctic. Fun fact: Krakower is a diehard Philadelphia sports fan and can’t wait to bring his passion for his teams to Alaska. We’re thrilled to have Krakower as part of the fellowship and look forward to his insights and contributions to our Arctic mission! #ArcticFellowship | #ArcticEducation | #TSC

The U.S. National Security Strategy identifies the 2020s as a “decisive decade.” In geopolitics, their first half has seen the return of large-scale war to Europe as well as China’s full emergence as a multidimensional power with global aspirations. At the same time, lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, accelerating rates of climate change, and accumulating advances in artificial intelligence and other technologies have added transformative effects that interact with security and defense. Such developments have variously tested, reinforced, and reinvented international cooperation in response. ? The inaugural Anchorage Security and Defense Conference #ASDC24 offers a unique opportunity for midpoint examination of these shifts and their nexus in Arctic, North Atlantic, and North Pacific contexts. In the spirit of military aviation pioneer Billy Mitchell’s description of Alaska as “the most important strategic place in the world” in the similarly pivotal 1930s, Anchorage presents an ideal vantage point for reflection and dialogue on the scope of change the past five years and ways ahead in the decade’s second half. ? ?? To learn more about this event visit: https://lnkd.in/gEXHRexr

This week, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) hosted its inaugural “Arctic Week” in Stuttgart, Germany, Sept. 23-25, 2024, featuring significant contributions from experts at the Ted Stevens Center. “The future of Arctic security relies on our collective commitment to understanding and addressing the evolving challenges with foresight and resilience. Events like Arctic Week are crucial to advancing that deep understanding.” -Maj. Gen. Russell Driggers, USEUCOM director of plans, policy, strategy and capabilities Through practitioner focused education like USEUCOM Arctic Week, we continue to advance Arctic awareness and equip our force with the knowledge and information to operate in a dynamic region. Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/g7Rm2Q_U

??One week ago, TSC closed out an incredible week in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany for the 2024 High North Security Dialogue co-hosted with the George C. Marshall Center.?? HNSD brought together +60 mid and senior level policymakers, security practitioners, diplomats, academics, and industry leaders to examine the emerging Sino-Russian partnership in the Arctic, trans-Atlantic cooperation, integrated deterrence, and defense of NATO’s Northern Flank. The week culminated with a keynote panel, moderated by TSC Director Randy "Church" Kee, titled "securing the Northern Flank." The distinguished panelists, Lt. Gen. Rolf Folland (#Norway), Lt. Gen. Mikko Heiskanen (#Finland),?Maj. Gen. Anders Callert (#Sweden), Brig. Gen. Poul Primdahl (#Denmark), and Rear Adm. Andrew Sugimoto, United States Coast Guard, offered valuable insights on #ArcticSecurity. Defense Security Cooperation University #Arctic #HighNorth #SecurityCooperation

We extend our sincere congratulations to Dr. Mike Sfraga on his confirmation as the first ever U.S. Ambassador-at-Large-for-Arctic-Affairs. The Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies has had the honor and privilege of working closely with Dr. Sfraga over the past three years in his numerous leadership roles. Whether serving as the Chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, Founding Director of the Polar Institute at the Wilson Center, or Affiliate Professor at the International Arctic Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Dr. Sfraga has consistently demonstrated a deep commitment to the Arctic region. As we look ahead, the TSC is excited to continue our collaboration with Dr. Sfraga in his new role. Together, we are committed to fostering an Arctic region that is peaceful, stable, prosperous, and cooperative. #TSC | #SecurityCooperation | #ArcticAmbassador | #NationalStrategy

Our former Associate Director for National & Arctic Interest Chairs at Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies, Joel Kopp, shares his perspectives during his year at the Center. “Over the past twelve months, I have had the opportunity to watch the Department of Defense’s newest Regional Center – the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies – grow from a scrappy 24-month old startup with a handful of employees into an increasingly capable institution on the cusp of achieving full staffing and operational capacity. While much work remains before the Center reaches its full potential, this transformation is remarkable in light of the speed with which it is occurring, as well as the many bureaucratic and operational challenges that have arisen along the way. It is also necessary, given the growing importance of security cooperation in and for the Arctic. I came to the Center as something of an outsider: I’m not a Center employee, and I don’t have a military background. I’m a U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Officer detailed to the Center, and my 23-year diplomatic career has mostly been served in Africa, Asia, and Washington D.C. But I also brought something of an insider’s perspective by virtue of being born and raised in Alaska. Here is my bottom-line up front: Despite still being a fairly new startup, the TSC is already playing an important security cooperation role by deepening partnerships and expertise across the Arctic. In my view, an Arctic that is literally and figuratively heating up is going to require more of the Center’s work in these areas going forward, and the TSC will need to rise to meet this challenge.” To read the full story visit: https://lnkd.in/g4ANFm_W