During the December 17 meeting, the Chairs discussed the U.S. National Security Strategy (NSS) and the organizational structure of the U.S. Department of War.
The Chairs noted the reception the NSS has received in Canada and Europe. While the Strategy does not explicitly mention the Arctic, its strategic priorities may have significant implications for the region. The document’s focus on the Western Hemisphere includes the North American Arctic within a unified theater. More elaborate guidance in supporting documents, notably the National Defense Strategy, might bring greater clarity.
Discussion then turned to U.S. Department of War organizational structure at the Combatant Command level. The U.S. military divides the world into geographic and functional areas of responsibility, each managed by a combatant command and led by a four-star general or admiral. Historically, the Arctic has been divided among three combatant commands: U.S. European Command (USEUCOM), U.S. Indo-Pacific Command (USINDOPACOM), and U.S. Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). However, a 2011 update to the Unified Command Plan gave USNORTHCOM, which is responsible for the defense of North America, greater responsibility in the Arctic, including the North Pole and the Bering Strait.
The TSC’s National and Arctic Interest Chairs program integrates national Arctic security networks as well as distinguished subject matter experts to advance a common understanding of and best practices for Arctic security and defense. The Chairs include representatives from Norway, Sweden, and Canada as well as Chairs from the U.S. Coast Guard, Alaska National Guard, NOAA and Chairs for Energy & Economics as well as Polar Governance.