On January 18, the Department of Defense (DOD) hosted the Arctic Senior Leader Dialogue (ASLD), co-hosted by U.S. Northern Command and DOD's new Office of Arctic and Global Resilience. The ASLD brought together senior interagency leaders to enhance collaboration regarding Arctic security and inform decisions regarding Arctic capability investments. The Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies, the DOD's newest regional center, also played a key role in facilitating the event.
The Office of Arctic and Global Resilience was created within the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy in 2022 to guide the Department's Arctic strategy, policies, and engagement. The Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies was established by the Secretary of Defense on June 9, 2021, pursuant to the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. The Center, located in Anchorage, Alaska, enhances DoD focus on Arctic security issues through executive education, research and analysis, and strategic outreach.
The Arctic Senior Leader Dialogue opened by announcing the appointment of Maj Gen Randy "Church" Kee (ret.) as the inaugural Director of the Ted Stevens Center. Since September 2021, Maj Gen Kee has served as the Senior Advisor for Arctic Security Affairs for the Ted Stevens Center. Prior to his appointment with the Ted Stevens Center, he served as a Commissioner to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission and as the Executive Director of the Arctic Domain Awareness Center after his 30-year military career.
At the Arctic Senior Leader Dialogue, Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Hemispheric Affairs Rebecca Zimmerman delivered keynote remarks, along with the Deputy Under Secretary of the Army Mario Diaz and Lieutenant General A.C. Roper (Deputy Commander, U.S. Northern Command). The dialogue also included senior participation from U.S. European Command, the State Department, the Executive Office of the President, and other Departments and Agencies.
The dialogue and the senior participation from across the Department underscores DOD's commitment to Arctic security and leadership in the Arctic region.
