Pivot to national security focus
“America’s Arctic research enterprise undergirds our vital national security interests. It generates essential knowledge, inputs and understanding to inform planning and decision-making across our nation, our larger world,” Dans further notes in the statement, while adding that the domains range from a.o. security and defense, trade and transportation, and resource development and management, food and agriculture, energy, and health.
“Our Commission looks forward to working with the great people of Alaska, all states of the Arctic, and with the greater community of peaceful nations,” Dans said in closing.
The appointment of the new Chair comes at the end of a year where the US has made several cuts to research funding, primarily through the National Science Foundation, which have also affected Arctic domains.
Among other things, High North News has reported on the shutdown of the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States (ARCUS), and that the closing furthermore reflected a pivot in US Arctic research toward a much stronger focus on security and energy development, away from issues such as climate research.
In addition to ARCUS, cuts and layoffs also hamper institutions such as the Wilson Center’s Polar Institute and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
