Looking North: Conference on security in the arctic

Read our conference recaps

Looking North: Conference on security in the Arctic

The Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security’s Transatlantic Security Initiative, in partnership with the Norwegian Ministry of Defense and Royal Norwegian Embassy, hosts Washington’s flagship annual conference, bringing together expert and official voices to reassess drivers of change in the Arctic and how the United States and its allies and partners can collectively approach security in the region.

Arctic security

Issue Brief Sep 6, 2023

Alternative security futures in the High North

Climate change, combined with increasing geopolitical competition and hostilities, has focused renewed attention on national security interests in the Arctic. By 2035, how will those variables combine to influence the High North?

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Arctic security

Report Mar 30, 2022

All security is local: Arctic defense policies and domain awareness

By David Auerswald

This report maps Arctic allies’ and partners’ defense strategies and domain awareness capabilities to make recommendations for enhancing Arctic security.

Defense Policy Defense Technologies
Arctic security

New Atlanticist Mar 23, 2021

How Russia, China, and climate change are shaking up the Arctic

By Larry Luxner

The Kremlin’s increasing military activities in the Arctic are worrying Norway—the only NATO member country that borders Russia north of the Arctic Circle. Frank Bakke-Jensen, Norway’s minister of defense, outlined his concerns.
Crisis Management Defense Technologies
Past year’s conferences
Public Event Thu, March 2, 2023 • 2:00 pm ET

Looking north: Conference on security in the Arctic

Government officials and leading Arctic experts assess gamechangers in the Arctic and how the United States, Norway, and its allies and partners can collectively approach security in the region.
Public Event Mon, April 4, 2022 • 9:00 am ET

Looking North: Conference on security in the Arctic

Government officials and leading Arctic experts assess drivers of change in the Arctic and how the United States, Norway, and its allies and partners can collectively approach security in the region.

Conflict Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia Maritime Security
Online Event Fri, March 19, 2021 • 9:00 am ET

Looking North: Conference on security in the Arctic

The Norwegian Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Defense join the Atlantic Council, alongside two conversations on trends driving the future of Arctic security and on bridging perspectives between Europe and North America on key security issues.
Americas Defense Policy Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia
Public Event Thu, February 6, 2020 • 9:00 am ET

Looking north: Conference on security in the Arctic

A discussion on the trends shaping the future security environment in the Arctic and developing strategies for Allied cooperation on key security issues. Registration for this event has closed.
Climate Change & Climate Action Defense Policy NATO
Defense strategy in the Arctic
Arctic security

Issue Brief Sep 6, 2023

Alternative security futures in the High North

By David Auerswald

Climate change, combined with increasing geopolitical competition and hostilities, has focused renewed attention on national security interests in the Arctic. By 2035, how will those variables combine to influence the High North?
China Climate Change & Climate Action
Arctic security

Report Mar 30, 2022

All security is local: Arctic defense policies and domain awareness

By David Auerswald

This report maps Arctic allies’ and partners’ defense strategies and domain awareness capabilities to make recommendations for enhancing Arctic security.
Defense Policy Defense Technologies
Arctic security

In-Depth Research & Reports May 18, 2021

Predictable strategy and unpredictable operations: The implications of agility in Northern Europe

By Conor Rodihan, Matthew R. Crouch, and Ronald C. Fairbanks

As the US military becomes increasingly agile, its evolving strategy and activities pose implications for cooperation with allies, deterrence, and stability in Northern Europe.
Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia
Public Event Tue, July 21, 2020 • 1:30 pm ET

North Star: The first Department of the Air Force Arctic strategy

ONLINE EVENT – The Secretary of the Air Force and two members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff launch the Air Force’s Arctic Strategy, the Department of the Air Force’s first service-specific strategy for the region.
Defense Policy Energy & Environment Intelligence National Security
Workshops

Bridging North American and European perspectives

As part of our Arctic security work, we bring together American, Canadian, and European officials, experts, and thought leaders to understand differing perspectives among NATO allies and partners towards defense and deterrence in the Arctic and High North region. Through these workshops, we aim to strengthen a shared transatlantic understanding of the challenges facing the region and identify areas for further cooperation among the Alliance’s members and their partners.
Related podcast episode

NATO 20/2020

Mar 9, 2021

Set NATO’s sights on the High North: NATO 20/2020 podcast

By James Danoy and Marisol Maddox

Security in the Arctic is waiting on no one. NATO needs a strategy for defense and deterrence in the High North before it is outflanked.

Defense Policy Europe & Eurasia
Related program

The Transatlantic Security Initiative, in the Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, shapes and influences the debate on the greatest security challenges facing the North Atlantic Alliance and its key partners.

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