The Wall Street Journal today reported on concerns about the increasing sophistication of Russian military activity in the Arctic. Norway’s chief of defense Adm. Haakon Bruun-Hanssen said that Russia is catching up with new sensors, submarines, and capabilities, and that “the equality between Russian military capability and Western military capability has started to come very close […]
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In an article published today, the Alaska Dispatch News wrote about Caelus Energy’s announcement of a “world-class” discovery in state waters in Smith Bay. According to the company, the site could ultimately produce 200,000 barrels per day of oil, with 1.8 billion to 4 billion barrels of estimated oil potential. Alaska Gov. Bill Walker called […]
The White House today held its first-ever Arctic Science Ministerial with science ministers from 25 governments and the European Union convening to discuss Arctic research priorities and sign a Joint Statement on increased international collaboration on Arctic science and the inclusion of Indigenous peoples in understanding and responding to changes in the Arctic.
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Sputnik News today reported on an opening ceremony to commemorate the commencement of commercial production at an Arctic oil field. Russian President Vladimir Putin said in part that “the economic development of Arctic territories – the launch of new large [oil] fields, became possible thanks to major infrastructure projects.” Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller added that Russian energy exploration in the Arctic […]
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In a Washington Post article published today in the Portland Press Herald, the paper addressed the recent voyage of the Crystal Serenity from Alaska to New York City via the Arctic’s Northwest Passage, and noted that the Northwest Passage route “could save a great deal of time and money for companies currently using the Panama […]
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The U.S. Arctic Research Commission today announced that it will hold a public meeting on Sept. 29-30 in Washington, DC. The meeting will focus on reports and updates on programs and research projects affecting Alaska and the greater Arctic.
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Business Insider today published an article on how the Arctic is becoming “the next major frontier of global competition” but how the U.S. is falling behind as countries like Russia assert themselves in the region. The article reports on comments last week by vice chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Paul Selva, who said that […]
The U.S. Coast Guard today announced its participation with Alaskan Command in a major, 4-day Arctic rescue operation exercise designed to focus on multinational search and rescue readiness to respond to an incident near and in the region. The operation, which includes the Coast Guard, Alaska National Guard, Alaska state agencies, Alaska Native organizations, and the Canadian […]
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In an op-ed that appeared in today’s Alaska Dispatch News, U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Paul Zukunft discussed the need to expand the U.S. icebreaker fleet, noting that it the U.S. is currently “one engineering casualty away from being unable to protect national interests, preserve our sovereignty and respond in the polar regions.” He added that […]
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The Maritime Executive today reported on China’s completion of its first 3D seismic survey in the north Barents Sea in the Arctic Circle, noting that the 100-day survey was part of the country’s plans to develop technology and equipment for oil and gas projects under China’s One Belt and One Road Initiative.
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