Historically, the Arctic Region has served as a natural strategic buffer between nations competing for geopolitical and economic interests. The impacts of climate change on the Arctic’s physical environment have coincided with the reemergence of great power competition for resources, influence, and governance around the globe. The White House’s recent release of the National Strategy for the Arctic Region emphasizes the convergence of these competing interests and for the first time, the Arctic is included as a regional priority in the National Security Strategy. The Department of Homeland Security’s multi-faceted mission through agencies like the United States Coast Guard, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement makes it integral to upholding and advancing the nation’s priorities under the NSAR’s four pillars.
Please join the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute for a conversation with DHS Deputy Secretary John Tien on DHS’s unique and significant role in the Arctic region. This chat will be followed by a panel of experts from DHS agencies who will discuss DHS’s role in upholding the NSAR’s pillars through maritime security, disaster preparedness and recovery, and law enforcement collaboration.
Keynote Speaker
Deputy Secretary John K. Tien
Deputy Secretary, Department of Homeland Security
Moderators
Dr. Rebecca Pincus
Director, Polar Institute
Michael Sfraga
Chair & Distinguished Fellow, Polar Institute // Chair, US Arctic Research Commission
Panelists
Ambassador David Balton
Executive Director, Arctic Executive Steering Committee, Office of Science & Technology Policy, White House; former Senior Fellow, Polar Institute, Wilson Center
Rear Admiral Michael P. Ryan
Deputy Commandant for Operations Policy & Capabilities (CG-DCO-D), U.S. Coast Guard
Tasha Reid Hippolyte, Ph.D.
Deputy Assistant Secretary, Trade Policy, U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Robert J. Hammer
Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, Department of Homeland Security
David Kang
Director, Office of Response and Recovery, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)