Research
The Research and Analysis Division (RAD) provides rigorous Arctic studies and analysis to support policy development and security cooperation. Our work spans a broad range of disciplines – from geophysical science to geostrategic policy – identifying critical gaps and challenges to enhance the Department of Defense decision making.
How we work
RAD’s efforts align with and implement guidance from the Office of the Secretary of Defense for Policy (OSD-P) and NORAD and USNORTHCOM, while advancing analysis informed by national policy such as the National Security Strategy and the National Defense Strategy, to name a few. We also support global research collaboration through the International Cooperative Exchange Program for Polar Research (ICE-PPR), led by the Office of Naval Research, and contribute to multinational capability development initiatives such as the Joint Staff J7’s Multinational Capability Development Campaign (MCDC).
What we’re working on now
Through professional networks and academic partnerships, RAD produces research and analysis that is accessible and actionable for senior leaders, defense practitioners, and policymakers, ensuring that Arctic security challenges are met with informed and strategic solutions. Current research topics include:
The Arctic Operating Environment
- Fundamentals of the Arctic operating environmental.
- Translating Arctic challenges and risks for operational design.
- Arctic Health Security: Insights for defense planners and operators.
- Women, Peace, and Security in a Pan-Arctic construct.
- Arctic security research in support of operational decision makers.
Arctic Region Strategic and Operational Research
- Assessing the China-Russia Relationship: Implications for U.S. Defense and Deterrence in the Arctic.
- Chinese-Russian Cooperation in Arctic Air and Maritime Operations.
- Strategic Gaps in Arctic Defense: Investments, Infrastructure, Capabilities and Policy.
- Arctic Multi-Domain Analysis (air, land, space, sea, cyber).
- Enabling Arctic operators and decision makers – integrating models and data science.
- Hybrid/non-traditional risk studies assessment for the Arctic Region.
- Unified commander directed studies.
- Arctic strategic foresight analysis.
- Arctic strategic competition assessments in support of security and defense planners.
- Classified analysis in support of unified command tasks.
