The Center for Arctic Security and Resilience endeavors to contribute knowledge and
scholarly value at the speed of relevance for today's most challenging issues impacting
the Circumpolar North and Arctic Region
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Upcoming Event: Arctic eTalks - 16 December 2021
The December Arctic eTalks features Christina Henriksen, President of the Saami Council, a Permanent Participant of the Arctic Council on "Arctic Security and the Saami Council - indigenous Perspectives and Interests."
Arctic eTalks - 17 November 2021
The November Arctic eTalks features James P. DeHart, U.S. Coordinator for the Arctic Region, United States Department of State to discuss "U.S. Arctic Interests: Managing Security Through Diplomacy."
Norwich University Military Writers' Symposium - 03 November 2021
Panel presentation and discussion. Theme: Global Conflict or Cooperation? Evolving Arctic Security, featuring Dr. Whitney Lackenbauer, Dr. James Kraska, and Mr. Sam Alexander, moderated by Troy Bouffard and broadcast live on C-SPAN.
Arctic eTalks - 21 October 2021
The October Arctic eTalks features Ambassador Michael Mann, who will be discussing the newly released (13 Oct) EU Arctic strategy as well as the role and interests of the Arctic for the European Union.
European Security Seminar - North: Cooperation and Confrontation in the High North
The George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies recently hosted the week-long seminar, European Security Seminar-North: “Cooperation or Confrontation?” The event was co-facilitated by Troy Bouffard, UAF homeland security and emergency management instructor and director of the UAF Center for Arctic Security and Resilience.
Arctic Academic eTalks - 17 September 2021
The upcoming Arctic Academic eTalks session features Dr. Camilla T. N. Sørensen and Dr. Marc Lanteigne in a discussion about "China: Information and Influence"
Arctic eTalks - 16 September 2021
The September 2021 Arctic eTalks features Lieutenant General Daivd A. Krumm, the highest ranking military official in Alaska, to discuss the various roles and responsibilities of Arctic Security involing ALCOM, Eleventh Air Force, and Alaskan NORAD Region.
Arctic eTalks - 19 August 2021
This event will provide strategic and operational insights from the Commander of U.S. Coast Guard Atlantic Area.
USARAK Leader Professional Development (LPD) - 15 July 2021
LPDs are a commander's program involving focused, thematic professional development events for subordinate commanders, command teams and primary staff. CASR is proud to support United States Army Alaska for this event and wish the commander great success on his next assignment.
Arctic Academic eTalks - 14 July 2021
The Arctic Academic eTalks are complimentary events for the main series. This month features Dr. Andrea Charron and Dr. Joshua Tallis in a presentation and discussion about "Geopolitics and Military Diplomacy in the Arctic"
Arctic eTalks - 22 July 2021
This event will provide exceptional insights from the commander of Joint Task Force North, Canadian Armed Forces. Several colleagues from other Canadian commands, like CJOC, will help support the discussion led by BGen Godbout.
Russian Chairmanship of the Arctic Council
On July 1st, the GEG Weekly Seminar will discuss the Russian chairmanship of the Arctic Council which takes place in a context of great economic ambitions and geopolitical tensions in the region. The discussion will be based on a working paper written by Emilie Canova, Camille Escudé Joffres, Joaquim Gaignard, Pauline Pic, Léa Tourdot and Florian Vidal
Arctic eTalks - 17 June 2021
This event will provide exceptional insights about Norway and its High North security perspectives, led by Mr. Svein Efjestad, the long-time policy director for the Norwegian Ministry of Defence. Mr. Efjestad is also the Chair of the Coast Guard Council as well as a member of the Nordic Defence Cooperation (NORDEFCO).
Arctic eTalks - 21 May 2021
This month features a presentation and discussion by Niklas Granholm, Deputy Director of Studies at FOI, the Swedish Defence Research Agency, Division for Defence Analysis. Following the presentation, the discussion should be lively given the turnover of the Arctic Council Chairmanship to Russia on 20 May!
Arctic Academic eTalks - 07 May 2021
New complimentary series to the Arctic eTalks with a focus on academic participants. The event will provide a 30-minute presentation followed by an hour Q&A discussion. The topic for this first session involves a dialogue on the upcoming transfer of the Arctic Council Chairmanship to Russia.
Arctic eTalks - 23 April 2021
The objective of this conference is to shed light on the strategy and intentions of Russia in relation to its upcoming chairmanship of the Arctic Council. Additionally, panelists will analyse what other Arctic states (Canada, Nordic countries, United States) and people (Indigenous groups) have to expect from the Russian chairmanship and what are the policy debates that these states are likely to face in the next two years
Arctic eTalks - 23 April 2021
This month features a presentation and discussion by Janne Kuusela, the Director of Policy for the Ministry of Defence - Finland. In addition to authoritative perspectives involving Arctic security, Mr. Kuuselsa will also provide professional insights concerning the much anticipated upcoming version of the Finland Arctic Strategy.
Fulbright International Arctic Seminar, March 2021
Draft article presentation at the “Fulbright International Arctic Seminar” Moscow, Russia. 19-20 March 2021, online. Jointly Organized by: U.S. Embassy Moscow, the Fulbright Program in Russia, and the Institute of International Education, Moscow.
North American Arctic Forum - 24 and 26 March 2021
A student forum on the North American Arctic co-hosted with Norwich University Peace and War Center, in cooperation with the Royal Military College (RMC), Collège militaire royal de Saint-Jean (CMR) and University of Alaska Fairbanks, Center for Arctic Security and Resilience (CASR).
Arctic eTalks - 19 March 2021
This month features a presentation and discussion by Commodore James A. Clarke, Deputy Director of J5, NORAD/USNORTHCOM. Arctic eTalks is a monthly forum for open discussion (non-attribution) on key issues affecting the Circumpolar Arctic for academics, defense and security professionals, and military leaders from Canada, Finland, Iceland, Kingdom of Denmark (Greenland and Faroe Islands), Norway, Sweden, and the United States. The series is hosted by "The Watch" command magazine, USNORTHCOM, USEUCOM, USINDOPACOM and CASR.
Arctic eTalks - 19 February 2021
This month features a presentation and discussion by Sara Olsvig, former Member of Parliament for Denmark. Arctic eTalks is a monthly forum for open discussion (non-attribution) on key issues affecting the Circumpolar Arctic for academics, defense and security professionals, and military leaders from Canada, Finland, Iceland, Kingdom of Denmark (Greenland and Faroe Islands), Norway, Sweden, and the United States. The series is hosted by "The Watch" command magazine, USNORTHCOM, USEUCOM, and CASR.
Arctic eTalks - 22 January 2021
This month featured a presentation and discussion by Friðrik Jónsson, the Senior Arctic Official for Iceland. Arctic eTalks is a monthly forum for open discussion (non-attribution) on key issues affecting the Circumpolar Arctic for academics, defense and security professionals, and military leaders from Canada, Finland, Iceland, Kingdom of Denmark (Greenland and Faroe Islands), Norway, Sweden, and the United States. The series is hosted by "The Watch" command magazine, USNORTHCOM, USEUCOM, and CASR.
Homeland Defense Academic Symposium - 02 Dec 2020
The inaugural Homeland Defense Academic Symposium was held virtually from Dec. 1-3, 2020. It featured briefings, panel discussions, moderated paper presentations, keynote speakers, and a tabletop exercise focused on homeland defense issues at the unclassified level. To assist in this transformation, the 2020 Homeland Defense Academic Symposium enlists the assistance of academia to seek new ways to shape the security environment and enhance the United States and Canadian defense capabilities.
Arctic Defense and Security Orientation (ADSO): Executive Session - 23 Dec 2020
The Arctic Defense and Security Orientation program provides the primary instruction to the Department of Defense for the purposes of baselining Arctic regional kowledge, with special emaphasis on strategic and operational context. This executive session was conducted exclusively for the Commander and senior leaders of NORAD-USNORTHCOM.
NAADSN Ideas Series, 04 Dec 2020
Bouffard, Troy J., and P. Whitney Lackenbauer. "Russian Arctic Strategies – Ambitions and Near-Term Expectations." In NAADSN Ideas Series, edited by Shannon Nash. Peterborough, ON: Trent University, 2020.
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Recent Publication
The objective of this research, co-authored by CASR member Alec Bennett, was to model current and projected climate conditions pertinent to gardeners and farmers in Alaska. Research commenced with information-sharing between local agriculturalists and climate modelers to determine primary questions, available data, and effective strategies. Four variables were selected: summer season length, growing degree days, temperature of the coldest winter day, and plant hardiness zone.
Recent Media
Alaska’s Arctic region is opening to increased vessel traffic and global interest. What are the American military’s plans to ensure security? Lori Townsend speaks to Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and Michael Sfraga, chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.
Recent Media
Alexander acknowledged the keen focus required to prepare mentally and physically for Special Forces and said he shared these lessons with Norwich cadets at the symposium. “There’s a lot of noise out there,” he said in the joint interview. “A lot of people want your attention and time and will take it if you let them have it. Don’t let them have it for free.”
Recent Media
Live radio interview conducted in connection with the Norwich University Military Writers' Symposium at the Sullivan Museum and History Center. First part of the show, CASR member Sam Alexander is interviewed, and the end of the show, Troy Bouffard is interviewed.
Recent Media
Troy Bouffard, director of the Arctic Security and Defense Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, said President Vladimir Putin “really changed [Russia’s] approach to international development” and sees the Arctic playing a vital role in Moscow’s return as a great power.
Recent Media
“We’re probably starting to frustrate them a little bit, maybe, with the South China Sea issue,” Bouffard said. The Aleutian exercise may be a demonstration of China’s capabilities in light of those U.S. exercises in the South China Sea. “I don’t think they’re trying to provoke a reaction, necessarily, but I think they were sending a clear strategic message,” Bouffard said. “They can also enter our waters under legal norms.”
Recent Publication
The Arctic represents a key region concerning climate security issues and should be appropriately reflected in primary national guidance. As such, a reformed policy should be published in order to align with whole-of-government responsibilities involving the U.S. Arctic. This article provides essential factors that can contribute to the development of revised strategy.
Recent Media
A University of Alaska Fairbanks analyst says both the Alaskan Command and Alaska Air National Guard have got what it takes to help with the operation, if tapped by the Pentagon. “Their ability to go support the mission right now would be very reasonable, expected – no surprise at all,” says Troy Bouffard, who directs UAF’s Center for Arctic Security and Resilience. “They do this stuff all the time.”
Recent Publication
The Arctic Academic eTalks closed sessions are invite only with select experts who can authoritatively contribute (non-attribution) to the discussion on key Arctic issues.The proceedings from the closed sessions are presented in a Summary Report that is shared with key stakeholders, practitioners, military leaders, and senior government officials in the Circumpolar Arctic region. Please let us know if you are interested in participating and as well your area of expertise at: casr@alaska.edu
Recent Media
Hear a short interview with CASR member and co-principle investigator Alec Bennett on a recent NSF project concerning exploration of Low Power Wide Area LPWA networks of measurement sensors that will expand scientific and technical knowledge crucial for practical applications in planning for climate-change-related threats in cold regions, such as extreme snowfall and flooding and infrastructure damage due to frozen ground thaw. Link to project details here.
Recent Publication
The topic of this issue is Russia and the Arctic. Troy J. Bouffard and P. Whitney Lackenbauer discuss Russia’s 2021–2023 chairmanship of the Arctic Council, positing that Russia is not seeking to revise Arctic governance structures or undermine regional peace; instead, Moscow seeks to define the region in its preferred terms.
Recent Publication
Defense policies and strategies are riddled with deliberate and calculated words—which makes the words used in the recent flurry of service-specific Arctic strategies that much more curious. There is no doubt that a tremendous level of effort went into producing the collection of Arctic strategies we find before us today. There are some wonderful words and thoughtful analyses within each. But for all good words, there are some equally strange ones leaving us to question exactly what they mean and the intent behind them.
Recent Media
What Do Russia’s Ambitions Mean for the Stability of the Arctic Council? A transcribed interview with the director of CASR and the Conference of Defence Associations (CDA) Institute.
Recent Media
Another obstacle will be deep differences over two key — and overlapping — issues, said Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks: Russia’s military build-up in the region and its efforts to exert control over the Northern Sea Route, the shipping corridor that runs along most of its Arctic coastline.
Recent Media
This time on our Polar Politics occasional series, Josh Tallis sits down with Dr. Cameron Carlson of the University of Alaska Fairbanks and Dr. Elizabeth Wishnick of Montclair State University. They discuss the idea of Arctic identities in The Arctic states, how they compare between different nations, and their impact on great power competition in the region.
Recent Publication
This article explores the global data systems on permafrost, which remain sporadic, rarely updated, and with almost nothing about the subsea permafrost publicly available. The authors suggest that the global permafrost monitoring system should be real time (within technical and reasonable possibility), often updated and with open access to the data (general way of representing data required). Additionally, it will require robust co-ordination in terms of accessibility, funding, and protocols to avoid either duplication and/or information sharing. Following a brief background, this article will offer three supporting themes, (1) the current state of permafrost data, (2) rationale and methods to share data, and (3) implications for global and national interests.
Recent Media
And although headlines suggest this new round of tensions could put stress on the Arctic Council’s work, Bouffard disagrees. “The greatest interest for the Arctic states is to filter out these global tensions and focus on the very real challenges facing the Arctic, that maybe not everyone else in the world cares about as much, but that we really feel up here in the North,” he said.
Recent Media
“We are an Arctic country, and the strategic long-term concerns of the Arctic—in both Alaska, as well as areas of Canada and Europe where we provide defense—are important to us,” Cameron Carlson, founding director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management program at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks, told The Dispatch. “We are lagging behind. More needs to be done in the Arctic.”
Recent Media
“They’re very good at driving a long-term strategy,” said Cameron Carlson, founding director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management programme at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. “China’s been very astute, whether in Alaska or other parts of the Arctic, very good about inserting themselves.”
Recent Publication
The limits of Arctic stability without collective security management may be reaching an end. Whether by coincidence or because of the lack of an institutional framework, strategic interests and operational posturing are finally approaching dangerous levels. Interests in conducting high-level military discussions involving Arctic security are not new. But as a result of US sanctions against Russia since 2014, military-to-military contact between the United States and Russia has been suspended and defense dialogue is not allowed.
Recent Publication
In this article, we suggest that the United States should seek more balance between strategic imperatives and operational requirements and activities. This article begins with a discussion of the theory and doctrine addressing the relationship between the operational and strategic levels. We then survey relevant strategic documents from the U.S. government, seeking to find guidance that would inform both the American strategic approach to arctic security and any operational requirements that result from the strategic approach.
Recent Media
Dr. Liz Buchanan rejoins the podcast alongside Troy Bouffard to discuss NATO, NORTHCOM, and NORAD's differing roles in the Arctic and the challenge of establishing an Arctic security institution.
Recent Media
"...when then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo told the Arctic Council that “Russia is not the only nation making illegitimate claims. The U.S. has a long-contested feud with Canada over sovereign claims through the Northwest Passage.”The statement “caused immediate concern” by Canada and other regional allies, said Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “The comment was nothing dangerous, but it was seen as very unnecessary,” Bouffard said in an interview Monday with the News-Miner.
Recent Publication
Bouffard, Troy J., and P Whitney Lackenbauer. The Development of the Russian Arctic Council Chairmanship: A Strategic Plan of Preparation and Pursuit. North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (Trent University, Ontario: 30 March 2021). https://www.uaf.edu/casr/publications/research/2021-russia-ac-chair.php.
Recent Media
Bouffard explains that this trip is meant to be primarily for research and learning. “I hope this does become a pattern for research and for other means and collaborations and learning about the environment and working together because the US Coast Guard and the Canadian Coast Guard have completely different statutory requirements.
Recent Publication
Bouffard, Troy J., and Edward M. Soto. "U.S. Arctic Deepwater Port: Value-Added Capabilities in Support of National Security." Chap. 12 In On Thin Ice? Perspectives on Arctic Security, edited by Duncan Depledge and P. Whitney Lackenbauer. NAADSN Engage Series, 107-15. Peterborough, Ontario: North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN), 2021.
Recent Media
“the sheer size of the Chinese illicit fishing fleet, we just don’t have enough resources to chase down all of the the criminal activity. The Coast Guard is doing an outstanding job in that regard. They published a new strategy to combat this issue last year, and it definitely kind of steps up the concerns and objectives,” Bouffard said.
Recent Media
Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, said the new strategy is an effective and comprehensive consideration of the challenges and opportunities involving land forces operating in the Arctic. “However, there are enormous difficulties to overcome in order to achieve proficiency in the ability to conduct sustained operations as well as contribute to the ultimate measure of military success involving precision enabled, combined arms warfare – something Russia is much further along in terms of capabilities,” Bouffard said.
Recent Media
“This, as a strategic focus and priority, helps to solve other critical issues and serves as an effective vehicle to pursue related U.S.-European partnership goals,” Bouffard said. “The connection to the Arctic includes the North Atlantic and above, where Transatlantic security benefits from an institutional approach to managing issues and Euro-Atlantic interests, versus the Eurasian interests that Putin has been developing and offering for many years as a solution toward a superior civilization over the so-called decadent West.”
Recent Media
“The Northwest Passage is still not completely surveyed up to today’s standards,” Bouffard said. “When the Healy can go into any of these environments, the crew is just going to learn an enormous amount and experience very real, challenging conditions, especially changing conditions.” It’s important for Coast Guard services to become familiar with how the region is changing. Even if a crew had experience transiting the passage before, Bouffard said, “I’d be willing to bet it wasn’t the same.”
Recent Media
“I expect that this was received well by Global Affairs Canada, in both of our coast guards and I hope to see that the transit would be cooperatively and even jointly escorted by the Canadian Coast Guard, as well as the Royal Canadian Navy.” Bouffard said he would love to see the RCN’s newly commissioned Arctic offshore patrol vessel HMCS Harry deWolf accompany Healy during its transit.
Recent Publications
Bouffard, Troy J., and Cameron D. Carlson. "U.S. View: Emerging Information Environment." The Watch, 2021.
Recent Publications
Bouffard, Troy J. "A Developing Maritime Operational Environment: Forward Presence and Freedom of Navigation in the Arctic." In Strategic Perspectives. Trent University, Ontario: North American and Arctic Defence and Security Network (NAADSN), 2021.
Recent Media
The maritime boundary between the U.S. and Russia in the Bering and Chukchi seas can be difficult to access because of poor weather and seasonal conditions. Both countries have limited resources for responding to incidents — from pollution to illegal fishing — in these waters. The pollution agreement is particularly important given the sensitive nature of the Bering Sea ecosystem, Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at University of Alaska Fairbanks, told ArcticToday...
Recent Media
Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, said it was time for the U.S. to deal with Russia’s “excessive” maritime claims off its Arctic coast “one way or the other.” “Either we let them have this, or if we’re not going to, which we’re not, it has to be dealt with,” Bouffard said. “And Russia is not budging on this one.”...
Recent Media
Dr. Cameron Carlson, the founding director of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management program at University of Alaska Fairbanks, told ArcticToday that the Arctic-specific strategies from DHS and other agencies were “way overdue” given the changing environment...
Recent Publications
Carlson, Cameron D., Troy J. Bouffard, and Dana Woodward. "Exploring a Nexus of National and Human Security: Food and Energy Challenges in the US Arctic." Journal of Human Security 16, no. 1 (2020): 30-40.
Recent Publications
Bouffard, Troy J., Elizabeth Buchanan, Michael Young. "Arctic Security and Dialogue: Assurance through Defence Diplomacy." Modern Diplomacy, Updated 11 July, 2020.
Affiliations
Below are various organizations of which CASR has been or continues to maintain an affiliation.
