CENTER FOR ARCTIC
SECURITY AND RESILIENCE

As disasters grow more common, an Alaska tribe is working to make the Arctic more prepared

John Pennington, a professor of Homeland Security and Emergency Management at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, is an advisor to the tribe and helped put the program together. “It's using the strength of the Alaska Native communities that are the North Slope to improve emergency management through the lens of Alaska Natives, first and foremost,” he said. Pennington said that communities in the Arctic have been seeing intensifying storms and erosion. They also see disasters that federal emergency managers are not familiar with – such as an ice-souring event that in 2023 severed all communications for three months across the North Slope. “That doesn't fit into FEMA’s book of what a disaster is, but for us as a community up there, it was a huge disaster,” he said.

Arctic Naval Combat in Support of Ground Operations

“In this meticulously researched work, Gebhart uncovers the previously unrecognized significance of Soviet naval forces during the Petsamo-Kirkenes Operation of 1944. His authoritative analysis of combined arms tactics in extreme Arctic conditions provides invaluable insights for modern military planners. Given the Arctic’s growing strategic importance and the scarcity of literature on large-scale combat operations in this region, this book stands as an essential resource for military professionals, historians, and defense and security experts alike.”—Troy J. Bouffard, University of Alaska Fairbanks (Official Book Review and Publication Support)

Denmark strengthens its defence... and Canada could benefit

By providing more real-time data, these initiatives have the potential to strengthen intelligence sharing between NATO and NORAD, the U.S. and Canadian Aerospace Defence Command. Troy Bouffard, an assistant professor of Arctic security at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, adds that some air and sea threats would also be detected more quickly. “Thanks to radar, the quality of the tracking, early tracking and response time to air profiles and cruise missiles that are difficult to detect would be greatly improved and would allow for better coordination,”

Inside the West’s Race to Defend the Arctic

Because of Russia’s geographic advantage and the West’s own negligence, NATO is falling precipitously behind in the Arctic, said Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. “This is one of the only areas where we are not able to go toe-to-toe with our adversaries,” he said. Now, as Russia’s land forces have been weakened by the war in Ukraine, the West has an opening to catch up. However, Western militaries are only just shifting focus after two decades of counterterrorism in the Middle East and Afghanistan. Many lessons learned there cannot be applied in the high north. Building a significant military presence in the Arctic will have to be done almost from scratch, Bouffard said.

The Strategic Importance of Greenland: The Role of Tactical Missile and Air Defense in the Arctic

The authors of this article focus on tactical considerations for a potential scenario in which a strengthened  U.S.-Greenland strategic partnership presents opportunities for enhanced defense. The defense of Arctic strategic assets demands comprehensive integration of all warfighting physical and non-physical domains. When assessing the full spectrum of combat capabilities required to dominate the Arctic battlespace, northern ballistic missile defense architecture and early warning radar networks are critical strategic centers of gravity.

China and "Deep Bench Diplomatic Power

China has developed the world’s most expansive diplomatic network, underpinned by a strategy of“deep bench” diplomatic strength: deploying highly trained, flexible delegations across a growing array of multilateral and bilateral forums. This article explores how Beijing combines smart, sharp,discourse, and geoeconomic power to shape the global order, often outmaneuvering Western competitors through modular diplomatic teams and strategic investments in institutions like the Belt and Road Initiative and the International Seabed Authority.

Articulating Smart Power: The Strategic Information Environment of the Northern Sea Route

This article analyzes Russia’s evolving strategy to assert control over the Northern Sea Route (NSR) and consolidate its geopolitical, economic, and military dominance in the Arctic. Russia’s smart-power strategy blends hard-power posturing, including remilitarization and surveillance expansion, with economic development and legal narratives aimed at legitimizing its claims. 

Russian Arctic Land Forces and Defense Trends Redefined by NATO and Ukraine

This article argues that Russia’s Arctic land forces have been weakened by the Russia-Ukraine War and NATO’s northern expansion, creating a strategic window for Western militaries to bolster their Arctic capabilities. Unlike existing studies that focus on maritime operations and the Northern Sea Route, it integrates technical assessments of ground-based Arctic platforms with analysis of military-district reforms. 

Circumpolar Wildland Fire Operational Baseline Report

The Arctic is experiencing unprecedented ecosystem changes and warming, and subsequently, extreme wildfire events in all eight Arctic states. Wildland firefighting resources and information are often shared between some Arctic States. The research goal of this report is to determine a baseline understanding of operational capabilities and information sources for wildland fire response available in each Arctic State.

Newest U.S. Icebreaker ‘Storis’ Conducts Extensive Patrol Along Russian Maritime Boundary in Arctic

“On its first operational patrol, Storis did much more than just get underway, it began closing the most alarming gap in U.S. Arctic operations: persistent, ice-capable maritime surface presence,” says Troy Bouffard, Director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “By operating in international waters closely adjacent to Russia’s EEZ in the Bering Sea, the vessel sent clear strategic signals of resolve while affirming U.S. sovereignty in our waters and sovereign rights in our EEZ, upholding freedom of navigation, and ability to protect U.S. Arctic interests,” he continued.

Chinese Research Vessels Enter U.S. Extended Continental Shelf in Arctic, Coast Guard Monitors with Icebreaker ‘Healy’

Chinese activity in the American Arctic continues to draw the attention of the U.S. Coast Guard. Two Chinese research vessels entering the Extended Continental Shelf now triggered a response by icebreaker Healy to monitor and shadow the vessels.25-sep

Hurricane Katrina 20th Anniversary: ​​US Officials Warn Trump Is Leaving the Country Unprepared for New Disasters

This week marks the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina's tragedy in the United States. The milestone prompted nearly 200 public officials to warn that President Donald Trump is leaving the country at risk and unprepared for a disaster of this magnitude.

Trump and Putin’s Arctic Chess Game Is About Far More Than Ukraine

Featuring Ambassador Mike Sfraga (UAF Interim Chancellor) and Dr. Troy Bouffard: "Since the United States purchased what is now the state of Alaska from Russia in 1867," Sfraga said, "we have navigated nuanced and dramatic swings in our relationship, from allies during World War II, to intense adversaries during the Cold War, to cautious partners, to competitors once again—but today we are in a far more complicated geopolitical landscape." As Troy Bouffard, director of the University of Alaska Fairbanks' Center for Arctic Security and Resilience, pointed out, "one of Moscow's top five national priorities (not just Arctic) is development, promotion, and use of the Northern Sea Route (NSR) for commercial maritime purposes."

Analyst expects Russia-US summit to make history

Сonditions are now set to proceed for the next steps and future plans can be prepared, Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at University of Alaska Fairbanks said

Putin achieves his goals at meeting with Trump, expert says

Troy Bouffard stressed that President Vladimir Putin achieved exactly what he most wanted, which was to begin to repair his relationship with President Donald Trump

How Alaska is preparing for the new Cold War

When Donald Trump looks into the eyes of Vladimir Putin this week and decides whether he is serious about peace, it will be in Alaska: the American state on the front line of a new Cold War between Moscow and Washington...

Remote, Symbolic, Strategic: Alaska Takes Center Stage For Trump-Putin Meeting

US President Trump and Russian President Putin will meet in Alaska on August 15 to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Alaska was chosen for its equidistant location between Washington and Moscow, its historical ties to Russia, and its logistical and security advantages. Alaska's remote location minimizes large-scale demonstrations against Putin.

Trump-Putin 'going to be more of a listening session'

The meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin is going to be more of a "listening session", a security expert has said. Speaking to Sky's Wilfred Frost, assistant professor of Arctic security at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, Troy J Bouffard, says the meeting between Trump and Putin comes at a time when things are "a bit difficult".

Very Cold War: Brutal Arctic Conditions Are Testing U.S. and Allied Forces

Elite combat troops shred their physiques to look like Hollywood hunks. In the Arctic, that can kill you. The cold eats away at soldiers, who lose on average 3,000 calories a day while on exercises in the Arctic Circle—even while eating full rations and before they have taken part in any strenuous activity.

Russia-US summit likely to address Arctic cooperation, expert says

President Vladimir Putin of Russia and President Donald Trump of the United States are likely to touch upon Arctic cooperation at their upcoming meeting, Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at University of Alaska Fairbanks told TASS.

Putin, Trump Likely to Meet in Anchorage City, US Expert Says

During top-level visits, additional security resources are always attracted, usually from capital forces, the speaker explained. The city has well-established transport accessibility and has already hosted high-level talks, such as a meeting between ex-Secretary of State Blinken and a Chinese delegation, he noted. Meanwhile, the state's authorities told RIA Novosti they do not know the exact location of the upcoming meeting. The Kremlin and the White House previously confirmed the Russian and US presidents would meet in Alaska next Friday.

What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Entails for the Arctic

While US President Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill Act has been heavily criticized for its tax reliefs for the wealthy and significant cuts in welfare spending, the country's Arctic state, Alaska, may benefit from its implementation.

Operations: Understanding Circumpolar Wildland Fire Capabilities

The Arctic is undergoing profound environmental shifts, marked by unprecedented warming and ecosystem changes. A critical consequence of this transformation is the rise of extreme wildland fire events across all eight Arctic states, especially the United States (Alaska), Canada, and Russia.

Seabed Mining Is a New Front in the US Versus the World

Another chunk of that crumbling edifice known as Pax Americana just fell into the sea — and sank right to the bottom. A would-be deep sea miner’s  application for a US license  to exploit a patch of the Pacific seabed, triggered by an  executive order  from President Donald Trump, marks a fundamental break with the so-called rules-based order as it pertains to the deep. As with so much US policy these days, the order identifies a real challenge but addresses it with all the subtlety of a depth charge.

The Golden Dome and implications for the North

Troy Bouffard, Whitney Lackenbauer, and Andrea Charron: U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order (EO) on January 27, 2025, directing the U.S. Department of Defense to build an “Iron Dome for America,” which is shorthand for a next-generation missile defense shield for the United States (and since rebranded as the Golden Dome). “Over the past 40 years, rather than lessening, the threat from next-generation strategic weapons has become more intense and complex with the development by peer and near-peer adversaries of next-generation delivery systems and their own homeland integrated air and missile defense capabilities,” the EO noted. Although skeptics have questioned the cost and technological feasibility of a Golden Dome, the need to defend North America against ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles and other next-generation aerial attacks from peer, near-peer and rogue adversaries is now a U.S. priority.

What’s the American Base on Greenland? Here’s What to Know.

“He's not welcome,” one Greenlander said. By Jeffrey Gettleman and Maya Tekeli. March 25, 2025. What's the American Base on Greenland? Here's What to Know.

What to know about Pituffik, the only U.S. military base in Greenland

Vice President JD Vance this week will embark on a trip to Greenland, the massive but sparsely populated Arctic island with global strategic value. President Trump has repeatedly signaled in his second term that he is interested in buying Greenland or otherwise acquiring the ice-covered territory partially controlled by Denmark.

Bollinger Shipyards Awarded Nearly $1B to Cover Cost Overruns of Coast Guard Polar Security Cutter Program

Mississippi-based Bollinger Shipyards has received a $951.6 million Fixed-Price-Incentive-Firm Target (FPIF) contract modification from the U.S. Coast Guard to continue designing and constructing the first new heavy icebreaker, also known as the Polar Security Cutter (PSC). The modification comes six years after VT Halter Marine won the original $745.9 million contract. Bollinger acquired Halter Marine in 2022 inheriting construction of up to three vessels for a total original cost of $1.9 billion.   

The Mystery Chinese Crypto Boss Paying Elon Musk a Fortune for Space Mission

Chun Wang, 42, often lives in the remote Norwegian Arctic archipelago of Svalbard but flies somewhere nearly every other day on what he says is a personal quest to visit each of Earth's 249 officially designated countries and territories. When Wang takes off from billionaire Elon Musk's Florida launch site in a SpaceX Dragon capsule together with three other amateur astronauts on what is set to be the first ever human space flight to orbit directly over the North and South Poles, scientists and security specialists will also be watching.

U.S. Arctic Presence Falters as Nome Deepwater Port Solicitation Canceled

Efforts to expand U.S. Arctic capabilities face another setback. The long-discussed expansion of the port of Nome to create the country’s first Arctic deep-water port faces undetermined delays following the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ cancellation of solicitation due to cost overruns. Construction was originally slated to begin in 2025.

Arctic2024 DOD Arctic strategy: Secure U.S. Arctic interests through enhancing, engaging and exercising

The 2024 Department of Defense Arctic Strategy adeptly reflects the region’s geopolitical landscape since February 2022. Notably, its end state — to preserve the Arctic as a stable region where U.S. homeland security and vital national interests are safeguarded — presents a more assertive objective than its 2019 predecessor. This shift is both necessary and timely. The strategy explicitly references U.S. allies and partners in its efforts and scope of cooperation, while the emphasis on “preserving” suggests a more defensive posture aimed at maintaining the current order.

The Alaska Territorial Guard as a Solution to Arctic Capacity  and Domain Awareness  By LTC Jeff Hayes, US Army Dr. John Pennington 

Despite the rapidly growing importance of the Arctic in economic, defense, and environmental  sectors, the United States, though an Arctic nation, lacks meaningful defense capacity in the Arctic region. This article provides a brief history of the critical role that Alaska Natives played in the Arctic during World War II, first as the Alaska Territorial Guard and later as formally  incorporated units of the Alaska Army National Guard, and how these units addressed in their time the same capability gaps facing the United States today. However, Army reorganization during the Global War on Terror has had the unintended effect of making National Guard service nearly impossible for this critical population. The article further proposes that the Canadian Ranger program could serve as a model for restoring military service as a possibility for Alaska Natives while providing a cost-effective means of addressing domain awareness and  other shortfalls confronting the United States. 

Russia Upgrades Key Arctic Military Base With Expanded Runway

Even with its military focused on the invasion of Ukraine, Russia continues to refurbish and expand its military infrastructure in the Arctic region. Its latest efforts come in the shape of a newly expanded and paved runway at the Temp Air Base at the western shore of Kotelny Island, part of the New Siberian Islands. The runway joins an existing military base located a few kilometers inland. The Severny Klever station, also known as Northern Trefoil due to its distinct cloverleaf shape, opened to much publicity in 2013. 

China's Expanding Arctic Ambitions Challenge the U.S. and NATO

As the Arctic summer melts the polar bear tracks on the sea ice around Norway's Spitsbergen Island, dozens of Chinese scientists are arriving at a facility guarded by a very different kind of white creature—stone lions from Shanghai.  

Expert: Scientific cooperation still necessary with Russia

With the ongoing effects of climate change on Arctic ecosystems, collaborative multinational scientific projects remain vital to the region, necessitating a resumed cooperation between Western Arctic nations and Russia, despite the latter’s increasingly authoritarian and expansionist behavior. While such normalized relations in specialized fields may be unlikely in the near term, it is imperative that the U.S. and its allies try. Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska, outlined this argument in a May 31, 2024, op-ed for the High North News, a Norwegian newspaper.

Why Chinese warships near Alaska signal growing naval projection – and a message to Nato

CBSM Dean Cameron Carlson and CASR Director Troy Bouffard share their thoughts with the South China Morning Post. Sightings of Chinese military vessels off the waters of Alaska by the US coastguard earlier this month were the latest sign of growing military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow in the Arctic and the northern Pacific, and a move that analysts said was intended to “counter” the strategic agenda led by Washington and Nato in the region.

No. 30 | Strategic Competition and the Case for UNCLOS

The 2022 US National Security Strategy names the People’s Republic of China, as a pacing challenge, the top threat to the US domestic and global interests. The ability of the United States to manage its priority national security interests abroad requires access and influence. One means of achieving global access and global influence is through membership and leadership in international organizations and instruments.

Caught Between Scylla and Charybdis in The Arctic

The Arctic is more than just a geographic region of the world. It represents the area from which the baseline of climate change, associated extreme weather events, and phenomena can be best understood. It informs and advises the planet’s governance and civilization.

U.S. Northern Military Competition: Closing Arctic Operational Capabilities Gaps

CASR's Troy J. Bouffard was featured on Norwich University's blog: Prior to February 2022, the Russian Federation continued to make notable progress on its Arctic strategic development priorities throughout all sectors. However, Moscow’s large-scale invasion of Ukraine not only stopped but actually degraded much of Russia’s Arctic military progress. Western cooperation rapidly paused or excluded Russian participation in many activities and organizations, including security-related activities such as the Arctic Coast Guard Forum. Gone were any hopes of potential Arctic military dialogue and cooperation between Russia and the West. Yet, it became apparent that Russia’s actions could lead to important opportunities for the West regarding issues involving the competitive continuum.

Over 8,000 soldiers took part in an international military exercise in Alaska

NPR's Ayesha Rascoe speaks with Troy Bouffard at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, about the possibility of military confrontations in the Arctic Circle.

Recent Publication

Contributing author and CASR director Troy Bouffard offers different insights involving the importance of Russia's Northern Sea Route as part of the Kremlin's national security priorities.

Recent Media

"In recent years, China has been allowed to participate incredibly in Russia's largest annual military exercises," he said. "Each year there's a little bit more participation, a little bit change in how they do partner and work together militarily. So this maritime effort now is also not surprising."

Recent Media

“So, nothing too new there,” he said in an interview Tuesday. “We definitely have adversaries who are probably increasing their efforts to gain knowledge and Intel.” Bouffard agrees with Sullivan that Alaska has a lot of military assets of great interest to U.S. adversaries.

Recent Media

“Today’s formula for what is an advanced military and what leads to success is: Being the best at precision-enabled, combined-arms warfare.” In short, being a credible force in the Arctic means, at the very least, operating there at the same proficiency expected anywhere else. On that front, “the Army is starting from scratch,” Bouffard says.

Recent Media

“The multiple issues causing delays in the Polar Security Cutter program are interconnected, and each problem can exacerbate the others, creating and compounding a complex web of challenges that collectively impede progress, which invariably increases costs and further strains budgets.” “Altogether, I think this helps explain the frustration and what has become a vicious cycle of delays”, Bouffard concludes. 

Recent Media

Live interview conducted through Seattle to nationwide discussing the implications of the recent events.

Recent Media

“These have been really actually ideal incidents for us as a nation,” he said. “This is a real-world example of the challenges that we have stated since day one,” including domain awareness in the region.

Recent Media

Live interview on AlHurra Tonight 'Alaska Series', Middle East Broadcasting Networks of the U.S. Agency for Global Media

Recent Media

Russia in the Arctic: Is Western Analysis Too Biased? An Interview with Troy Bouffard

Recent Media

“And you need that science to get policy,” says Troy Bouffard, director of the Alaska-based Centre for Arctic Security and Resilience and a former Council delegate. “It’s heartbreaking. You had NATO states working with Russia on things like emergency response, environmental protection, in ways that don’t happen anywhere else. Indigenous nations at the table too, with a voice, with power. We can continue the work. But what does it mean without Russia?”

Recent Media

Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, also pointed out to VOA that China's economic behavior and goals in the Arctic have largely failed, except in areas dominated by Russia.

Recent Media

“This is unprecedented — we haven’t seen mention of the Arctic in the national security strategy like this,” said Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience and faculty at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. It’s a “a significant step toward recognizing that the Arctic has not just growing importance but enduring importance for the United States,” said Mike Sfraga, chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission.

Recent Media

“It’s one thing to just say that we’re all friends and allies in the Arctic-7,” he said, referring to the Arctic nations except for Russia. “But more importantly, it’s critical that we… demonstrate this through exercises, through cooperation, through the continued efforts of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard-like agencies” to work on civil security and scientific cooperation efforts.

Recent Publication

In volume 5 issue 5 of the Journal of Indo-Pacific Affairs, we return to the theme of Arctic security – a topic rendered more pressing in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and China’s continued aggressive behavior in the region and beyond. This issue is a collaborative effort with the University of Alaska Fairbanks’ Center for Arctic Security and Resilience. Guest editors Lt Col Richard D. Newton, PhD, USAF, retired; MSG Troy J. Bouffard, MA, USA, retired; and LTC Cameron D. Carlson, PhD, USA, retired.

Recent Media

“With the new Russian naval doctrine in effect and China working to develop blue-water navy capabilities, it is increasingly necessary to provide U.S. and allied presence in the maritime domain,” said Troy Bouffard.

Recent Media

The region’s strategic importance means that it benefits from priority allocation of resources, explains Bouffard from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. He continues: “The Russian Arctic military is somewhat filtered from the systemic failures in Ukraine as a result of relatively new hardware and personnel advancements.”

Recent Publication

This project aims to address how SOF is currently postured to address the emerging security needs, challenges, and threats to, through, and in the North American Arctic in the 21st Century. 

Recent Publication

Editorial article by CASR Dep. Director, John Pennington: "FEMA has decisively led the federal effort toward establishing solid and long-lasting government-to-government relationships with tribes. The current administration, led by Administrator Deanne Criswell, has furthered that effort by establishing a 2022-2026 Strategic Plan that mirrors many of the shared values and commonalities observed between diverse tribal communities – values that tribal emergency management has been focusing on for years. In addition, FEMA released its first-ever Tribal National Strategy on August 18, 2022."

Recent Media

“Appointing an ambassador-at-large signals that the Arctic is growing in importance for the United States and comes at a time where the stability and level of cooperation that we have enjoyed in the Arctic has certainly changed,” Troy Bouffard, the director at the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, told Eye on the Arctic in a phone interview. “We’re likely to see a lot more competition now in all sectors, including geopolitical.”

Recent Media

But Bouffard and two analysts from the Center for Naval Analyses told Breaking Defense that Russia’s shipbuilding ambitions, particularly the language concerning the country’s plans to build aircraft carriers, immediately raised eyebrows.

Recent Publication

Dr. Ryan Burke, CASR scholar and Director of Research at the Homeland Defense Institute - USAFA / USNORTHCOM - presents a compelling argument for a NOAA LNO position in support of Arctic national security interests.

Recent Media

Ankara Center for Crisis and Policy Studies (ANKASAM) presents the views it received from Troy J. Bouffard, the Director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience (CASR), the University of Alaska Fairbanks, in order to evaluate Russia’s new Naval Doctrine and its effects on global geopolitics.

Recent Media

"Hopefully, fragmented Arctic scientific efforts can continue to make crucial progress until collaborative opportunities with Russia are possible again. There's no field of study concerning the Arctic that wouldn't benefit from scientific cooperation with Russia, including defense and security studies," Bouffard said, adding that "the loss from mutual collaboration in the Arctic Council alone probably can't be measured."

Recent Media

Previous article from CASR members cited along with comments from notable UAF researchers.

Recent Media

Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience in Fairbanks, Alaska, said he expects Canada’s NORAD announcement on missile detection represents “an intent” from Ottawa to explore missile defence with the United States. “A threat can come from different approaches now – not just the Arctic,” he said.

Recent Media

Live news interview with Asharq News in Dubai concerning the announcement from MoD Canada on NORAD.

Recent Media

“At this point, most seem ready for Norway to take over the chairmanship next year,” said Troy Bouffard, director of the Center for Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. But it’s difficult to know how the transition will occur and whether it would involve Russia’s cooperation, he said.

Recent Publication

The Arctic is an area that is experiencing rapid change, increased development, and exploratory interest, and proposed solutions have the potential to produce new risks to both natural and human systems. This article examines potential security and ethical considerations of geoengineering solutions in the Arctic from the perspectives of securitization, consequentialism, and risk governance approaches, and argues that proactive and preemptive frameworks at the international level, and especially the application of risk governance approaches, will be needed to prevent or limit negative consequences resulting from geoengineering efforts.

Recent Media

Live news interview with Asharq News in Dubai concerning the impacts fo Ukraine on Arctic region stability and sanctions against Putin.

Recent Media

"As an operational HQs, 11th Airborne Division will be able to effectively organize and develop a high-level tactical staff with a defined Arctic operational purpose", Bouffard explains to High North News.

Recent Media

“We are stuck with a pretty tense situation there,” said Troy Bouffard, director of the Center of Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “Either we acquiesce to Russia, to their extreme control of surface waters, or we elevate or escalate the issue.”

Recent Media

According to Mr Bouffard, the Arctic Council gave Russia an outlet through which it could showcase its concerns and interests in the region, and work together on issues ranging from indigenous communities to security and environmental worries. "But now we've witnessed Russia throw away its chairmanship for its Ukrainian goals, and it's very disturbing," he added.

Recent Media

It’s unclear if council activities can proceed without Russia. When the council was established nearly 30 years ago, “no such kind of language existed to guide these circumstances,” Bouffard said.

Recent Publication

NAADSN and CASR led a special session following the Joint Statement about the Arctic Council with the key findings captured in this report.

Recent Media

Interview with "ASharq News" channel, an Arabic channel based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Troy Bouffard, Director of CASR concerning Arctic security and current issues.

Recent Media

Putin “is absolutely in a position where he feels he needs to do this,” said Troy Bouffard, director of the Center of Arctic Security and Resilience at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. “He has shifted from a deterrence to a compellence strategy. And he’s creating the leverage he needs to effect change.”

Recent Publication

Following a joint statement from the United States and Canada, authors Troy Bouffard and Adam Lajeunesse discuss the purpose and next steps of NORAD modernization.

Recent Publication

Previous permafrost data article translated into Russian and republished in the Northern Arctic Federal University / Северный Арктический федеральный университет (NArFU / САФУ)

Recent Publication

For all the rhetoric and difficulties, NORAD continues to represent a highly effective source of North American defence and security. While challenges both persist and emerge, especially as adversaries project competitive ambitions, the United States and Canada continue to discern and act upon opportunities that balance and magnify their defence equities in continental defence.

Recent Media

“There’s a need at the national level to understand what is the role of the Arctic in homeland defense and our national security interests abroad, and that’s sometimes going to come with a lot more debate and take a long time to reach clarity,” Bouffard said. “Understanding the Arctic in terms of what are the threats and what do we need to do about that is anything but clear.”

Recent Media

It’s a trend that could bring its own set of problems, said University of Alaska Fairbanks researcher Alec Bennett. That’s because no international framework exists to encourage countries to work together to evaluate and implement scientific solutions.

Recent Publication

Rapid environmental changes throughout the world and  in the Arctic are prompting the exploration of geoengineering solutions as one way to slow or mitigate climate change. These methods vary substantially in cost, risk, and reversibility. These solutions also have the potential to generate security and ethical concerns throughout the Arctic, in a region that could both benefit and be negatively impacted by these exploratory efforts. Exploring not only the technical aspects and feasibility  but the socio-environmental impacts proactively is critical to avoid escalation of conflicts.

Recent Publication

In late October 2020, President Vladimir Putin approved the “Strategy for the Development of the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation and Ensuring National Security for the Period through 2035.” Although the casual observer might dismiss this document as yet another Arctic strategy recasting old ideas with fresh rhetoric, the importance of the timing and substance of this Russia strategy is not lost on Arctic observers.