Thomas Dans

Chairman of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, an independent federal agency advising the President and Congress on Arctic research; he represents industry and focuses on maritime issues, economic development, and national security.

Russia’s Nuclear Bastion Makes Arctic Access a NATO Priority

Russia’s nuclear forces on the Kola Peninsula make the Arctic a direct NATO security concern, Norway’s Chief of Defense Eirik Kristoffersen argues, linking the region to Atlantic defense and U.S. homeland security. Kristoffersen, U.S. Arctic Research Commission chair Thomas Dans and Finnish state secretary Pasi Rajala contend that expanded NATO membership must be matched by ice-capable forces, polar-orbit communications and persistent surveillance. They also argue that alliance coordination should coexist with limited practical cooperation with Russia on shared Arctic problems.

The Aspen InstituteJul 18, 20269 min read