Is Fear of Great Power Competition in the Arctic Overheated?

May 27, 2021

Podcast Deep Dish on Global Affairs Podcast

Geopolitical debates on power and competition in the Arctic have been around since the Cold War. Is a new flashpoint ahead or is the danger overblown?

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US Secretary of State Blinken reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to protecting American interests in the Arctic last week—but what does that mean, exactly? Arctic experts Eugene Rumer and Rebecca Pincus join Deep Dish to unpack the debate over the Arctic’s potential as a geopolitical flashpoint and possibilities for a very cold new Cold War.

About the Experts

Eugene Rumer

Director and Senior Fellow, Russia and Eurasia Program, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace

Prior to joining Carnegie, Eugene Rumer was the national intelligence officer for Russia and Eurasia at the US National Intelligence Council. Earlier, he held research appointments at the National Defense University, the International Institute for Strategic Studies, and the RAND Corporation. He has also served on the National Security Council staff and at the State Department.

Rebecca Pincus

Assistant Professor, Strategic and Operational Research Department in the Center for Naval Warfare Studies, US Naval War College

Rebecca Pincus is Assistant Professor in the Strategic and Operational Research Department (SORD) in the Center for Naval Warfare Studies at the US Naval War College, and a member of the Institute for Future Warfare Studies within SORD. She previously served as primary investigator (PI) at the US Coast Guard's Center for Arctic Study and Policy, located at the US Coast Guard Academy.

Brian Hanson

Former Vice President, Studies

Brian Hanson served as the vice president of studies at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. He managed the Council's research operations and hosted the Council's weekly podcast, Deep Dish on Global Affairs.

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