The U.S. Senate passed last week the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (NDAA), which authorizes the Ted Stevens Center for Arctic Security Studies.
The Ted Stevens Center will be the first Department of Defense regional center in the Arctic and the first new DOD regional center since 2000. It will support defense strategy objectives and policy priorities through an academic forum while also fostering strong international networks of security leaders. The provisions included in the NDAA stemmed from a bill introduced in the Senate by Sen. Dan Sullivan (R-AK) and in the House by Rep. Don Young (R-AK).
“This year’s defense authorization will be recognized as one of the most impactful in recent memory for our country, particularly for the Arctic region,” Sullivan said. “In addition to the historic investments being made in the Arctic—including new icebreakers, space-based communications, critical military infrastructure, and new initiatives for remote locations—we will soon have an institute to cultivate the Arctic policy expertise that is desperately needed in the Department of Defense. In order to address the rise of ‘Great Power’ competitors in the Arctic, the Ted Stevens Center will be a new focal point for strategic thinking as it combines Alaska’s extensive reserve of Arctic expertise with the best and brightest minds from around the world. I want to thank Senator Murkowski, who conceived of this idea, and Congressman Young, who included the provision in the House NDAA.”
As part of this authorization, the DOD is required to submit a plan to Congress detailing the benefits of an Arctic security studies center. This includes identifying and considering suitable locations close to the Arctic, such as Alaska, and co-locating the center on military installations or at local universities. The report will also look at costs, the suitability of using existing infrastructure, curriculum, and partnership opportunities with other Arctic nations.
“My friend, our late Senator Ted Stevens, was not only a steadfast advocate for Alaska but he also fully recognized the strategic importance of the Arctic to America’s national security,” said Congressman Young. “Establishing the Ted Stevens Arctic Center for Security Studies has been one of my highest priorities, and I am proud that our Delegation has always fought for its creation. America’s national security is not a partisan issue. Naming the Arctic Center for Security Studies after a consensus builder like Senator Stevens is an incredible testament to his legacy of patriotism and multilateralism.”