National Security Challenges and Icebreaking Operations in the Arctic

The CSIS Europe Program and the Senate Arctic Caucus invite you to an event on:

National Security Challenges and Icebreaking Operations in the Arctic

Featuring:

Senators Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Angus King (ME)

AGENDA

8:00 am: Registration and Light Breakfast

8:30 am: Welcome Remarks

Ms. Heather A. Conley
Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia and the Arctic, and Director, Europe Program, CSIS

8:35am: Opening Remarks

Senator Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) and Senator Angus King (Maine)

9:00 am: Keynote Address

Admiral Paul F. Zukunft
Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard

9:30 am: Session I: Operational Imperatives in the Arctic

Captain Anthony Potts
Commanding Officer, Canadian Coast Guard

Mr. Gary C. Rasicot
Director of Maritime Transportation System, U.S. Coast Guard

Dr. Lawson W. Brigham
Distinguished Professor of Geography & Arctic Policy, University of Alaska Fairbanks

Mr. Ronald O'Rourke
Specialist in Naval Affairs, Congressional Research Service

Moderated by

Ms. Heather A. Conley
Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia and the Arctic, and Director, Europe Program, CSIS

11:00 am Session II: National Security Issues in the Arctic

Keynote Remarks:

Admiral Mark Ferguson
Commander, Allied Joint Force Command Naples; Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe; Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Africa; U.S. Navy

Discussant:

Ms. Heather A. Conley
Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia and the Arctic, and Director, Europe Program, CSIS

Moderated by

Mr. Jeffrey Rathke
Senior Fellow and Deputy Director, Europe Program, CSIS

12:30 pm: Conference Concludes

In partnership with the United States Senate Arctic Caucus, we are pleased to invite you to attend this high-level discussion that will examine the United States' icebreaking capabilities in the polar regions, as well as identify emerging national security challenges specific to the Arctic. This timely conference will analyze the state of U.S. readiness in the Arctic as well as address the questions related to President Obama's announcement in August 2015 to accelerate the acquisition of additional icebreakers.