NatSec Matters National Security's Arctic Frontier: Iris Ferguson
Aug 27, 2025
Iris Ferguson, the former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Arctic and Global Resilience, shares her insights on the rapidly changing Arctic landscape. She highlights how melting sea ice signals the end of 'Arctic exceptionalism' and ignites great power competition, particularly with Russia and China. Ferguson discusses the U.S. imperative to enhance homeland defense and strengthen alliances from Greenland to Alaska. The conversation also touches on the geopolitical implications of China’s ambitions, the significance of Greenland, and the need for U.S.-Canada collaboration.
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Arctic Exceptionalism Is Over
- The Arctic is no longer just an environmental issue; it is a security domain reshaped by rapid warming and tech advances.
- Melting ice increases access, exposes homeland-defense vulnerabilities, and ends decades of Arctic exceptionalism.
Invest In Domain Awareness Now
- Prioritize domain awareness by investing in sensors, command-and-control, and weather forecasting now.
- Build layered detection across ground, air, and space to spot advanced missile and air threats early.
Kickstart Icebreaker Production
- Accelerate icebreaker and polar-capable shipbuilding through allied cooperation and shared industrial efforts.
- Use multilateral programs like the Ice Pact to pool technology, labor, and costs for faster fleet delivery.