A United Nations flag hangs in front of constantina wire on the Intermediate Staging Area in Dakar, Senegal.
This week, we explore the present, past, and future of Arctic defense through:
- The Big Picture: United Nations General Assembly
- This Week in History: 9/11’s Impact on Homeland and Arctic Defense
- From the Diplomatic Desk: Norway’s New Arctic Strategy
The Big Picture
The Present – United Nations General Assembly
The United Nations General Assembly opens in New York this week with high level debates ranging from great-power competition in Europe to Middle East politics. While the Arctic is not on the formal agenda, it features indirectly through many of this year’s themes.
Nuclear Weapons – The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons forms the basis of the U.N. nuclear conversation. The treaty’s signing hinged on the U.S.-Russia nuclear balance, in which the Arctic has long played a role as a testing ground and deployment site. Russia’s Northern Fleet at Murmansk and Severodvinsk hosts the bulk of its nuclear armed ballistic missile submarines and long-range bombers. The U.S. monitors Russia’s Northern Fleet in partnership with NATO allies through various means; this week, U.S. and NATO allies concluded routine maritime operations in the nearby Barents Sea. The UNGA high-level meeting on the total elimination of nuclear weapons will bring this, and China’s stated intention to expand its nuclear armament portfolio, into focus.
Security Council – UNSC structure is a perennial subject of discussion. Adding new permanent members could make the passage of resolutions (like those to sanction Russia, Iran and North Korea) harder or easier depending on who joins. While vetoes would likely remain with the P5, additional votes could shift bargaining dynamics on Russian issues affecting Arctic energy and shipping.
Maritime Governance – While UNCLOS isn’t on the agenda, U.N. debates influence state behavior at sea. For U.S. interests in the Bering and Barents Seas and trans-Arctic routes, keeping pro-freedom of navigation majorities matter. UN discourse will also have implications for Russian interests on the Northern Sea Route and the Baltic Sea.
This Week in History
The COBRA DANE radar is a single faced ground-based, L-band phased-array radar
located at Eareckson Air Station, Shemya, Alaska.
The Past – 9/11’s Impact on Homeland and Arctic Defense
This week marks 24 years since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorists’ attacks. The attacks reshaped U.S. defense priorities, leading to the creation of U.S. Northern Command in 2002 to unify homeland defense missions across the lower 48, Alaska, Canada and surrounding waters. The same legislation elevated the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense & Hemispheric Affairs.
For the Arctic, these reforms had a lasting impact. Alaska has remained central to missile defense architecture, with interceptors and early warning radar deployed across the North American Arctic. Today, USNORTHCOM remains the combatant command responsible for defending the homeland and for deterring, detecting, denying, and defeating threats to the United States, conducting security cooperation activities with allies and partners, and supporting civil authorities. In mid-June 2025, the Pentagon realigned Greenland from U.S. European Command to USNORTHCOM, enabling the U.S. to build on relationships with our Arctic allies and partners, including Canada, and enhancing defense coordination across the Western Hemisphere.
From the Diplomatic Desk
The Royal Norwegian Navy Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate HNoMS Thor Heyerdahl (F-314), leads a transit of the Soroysundet off the northern coast of Norway above the Arctic Circle, Sept. 7, 2025.
The Future – Norway’s New Arctic Policy
The Government of Norway recently updated is Arctic policy framework, emphasizing security, development, and cooperation. The policy highlights:
Security – Reinforcing Norway’s role as NATO’s front-line state in the European Arctic, with expanded exercises and closer cooperation with U.S. forces. NATO’s Cold Response 2026 planning begins later this month in Norway.
Development and Communities – Integrating local perspectives into decision-making on infrastructure and energy projects.
International Cooperation – Norway reaffirmed its support for the Arctic Council and for the rule of law in governing Arctic waters.
