Governor Mike Dunleavy (R): “Alaska is a Very Significant Piece of Real Estate”

Speaking from the stage at the annual Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykavik, Iceland, Alaska Governor Mike Dunleavy, attending the event for the first time, begins by listing all the investments the Trump administration has planned for what he calls "a significant piece of real estate."

The state of Alaska is the reason the United States can call itself an Arctic nation, and it is separated from the rest of the U.S. It borders Russia at the Bering Strait to the west and Canada to the east.

Dunleavy serves on the US Arctic Research Commission (USARC) alongside USARC Chair Thomas Dans, who is also attending the conference for the first time, and informs the assembly that he is also a member of the Ted Stevens Center, an "Department of War education center, one of only six such centers in the world".

“And we have one for the Arctic in Alaska.”

Renewed perspective on Alaska

Dunleavy and Dans are in Reykjavik to discuss developments in Alaska, which, according to Dunleavy, began during Donald Trump's first term as president in 2017.

“Before the war with Russia, et cetera, a renewed perspective on Alaska had emerged. Alaska is both an Arctic and an Indo-Pacific state, and is a very significant piece of real estate. There's a realization that Alaska has been neglected at the expense of other theaters that received more attention. That's changing now with Chinese warships plying the Bering Sea and move into the Arctic.”

Given the new geopolitical situation in the Arctic, securing the American Arctic has now become a key issue for the Trump administration.

Not just talk

“The North Korean missile umbrella includes Alaska, in addition to what is happening in Russia. This is not just talk, but actual investments”, says Dunleavy regarding the current administration's focus on security.

"And so, with investments of billions upon billions of dollars in the military, in Air Force assets, missile defense, and Army capabilities, we are included in the Big, Beautiful Bill. There is lots of money for icebreakers and a 'Golden Dome' in Alaska is also discussed," Dunleavy lists.

The “lots of money for icebreakers” the governor is talking about is a $25 billion Coast Guard funding package that will ensure the US to get an 11-ship medium icebreaker flotilla.

Indigenous peoples

“As all these assets come online, what systems must we establish together with our allies in the Arctic? What will this look like in terms of shipping systems, military capabilities, and surface vessels, as well as ports and airfields?" asks Dunleavy.

And more importantly; “How does this involve the indigenous folks living in the Arctic? How do we create systems that are robust and effective for what we wish to achieve?"

The governor says that this is an important issue to him, as he himself is "married to an Indian pack-Eskimo."

“Unprecedented”

USARC Chair Thomas Dans adds that the investments being made in the Arctic, and particularly in Alaska, are at record levels. Unprecedented.

"We are talking about the largest investment ever in Alaska, the Arctic and in energy in US history. What matters now is our ability to reconnect with our partners, because there is much we can do better together", says Dans.

"That means you have the strength of the world’s largest and most powerful country behind you to achieve great things. Science and research will lead the way in everything we do," says Dans.

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Terminated Arctic research

It is unclear exactly which research the USARC leader is referring to, given that the Trump administration has terminated, halted, or frozen thousands of federal research grants and clinical trials across a range of research and health agencies, resulting in total cuts amounting to billions of dollars.

However, during the last USARC meeting in September, five core areas for Arctic research were presented: military security, energy security, economic security and societal security, as well as strategic research cooperation in the Arctic.

During the session, the two are asked whether the Trump administration's actions in Alaska have simply been misunderstood by the rest of the world?

Mike Dunleavy will not speak on behalf of the world outside the United States, but says the view in Alaska is that the Arctic was "overlooked for a very long time."

Defense and resources

“There were other theaters to be concerned about, the Middle East, the Eastern or Western Pacific, et cetera. Now the administration is serious about transforming the Arctic from an Alaskan perspective for the purpose of defense and resources”, says Dunleavy.

For him, it is time to start committing resources to physical assets, "not just talk and research."

“The rest of the world views the Trump administration differently, but from the perspective of Alaska, President Trump has been the best president for the state of Alaska in our short history.

"How we ended up here is less important than where we are today", Thomas Dans adds.

The Greenland issue

USAs first action under the updated US-Greenland agreement will be to reopen the Narsarsuaq base, which was originally an important American military base in Greenland during World War II.

“And then a new base in Mestervig on the East Coast”, Dans says.

The agreement allows the United States to expand its military presence in Greenland to these two locations, in addition to the existing Pituffik Space Base.

What about the climate?

A person in the audience notes that the two representatives from the US government are speaking primarily about defense and resource extraction, and very little about climate change, even though they do mention science. So, what is the Trump administration doing about climate change?

Mike Dunleavy prefers to talk about defense and resources, leaving the issue of climate change to Dans.

"Our geothermal resources are probably equal to Iceland’s, maybe even greater. We have just as many active volcanoes, and so on. Our tidal energy resources are the second-largest in the world, after the Bay of Fundy (in Canada – Ed.). Our wind resources, both onshore and offshore, are among the very best imaginable. And we have solar energy in Alaska," the governor lists.

"So, from an energy, defense, and infrastructure perspective, we have had less conversations with the White House on climate in the Arctic."

React, not repair

The head of USARC, Thomas Dans, choose to talk about what the US is doing to handle and document climate change, rather than prevent it.

"The Trump administration is about action. We are moving forward. There is no doubt that conditions are changing, and we must be prepared to react to this. Take, for example, the mega-tsunami in Tracy's Arm, Alaska. We need to put better monitoring systems and safety protocols in place. We need a better understanding of the situation here and now, and the ability to react to it. We are focused on response and the safety of the people. Part of this involves strengthening the Arctic economy and empowering the people living there. That is where investments come into the picture," explains Dans.

Another question, which also drew applause from the audience, concerned Mike Dunleavy referring to Alaska as "a piece of real estate," as well as his views on Indigenous communities.

The governor states that there is no uniform view among the Indigenous peoples of Alaska regarding climate change.

“My wife is an Indian pack Eskimo lady from above the Arctic Circle, and we have been married almost 39 years. I asked her mother one time, what was it like in the good old days? She said that they really weren't good old days. You could die from anything”, Dunleavy shares with the crowd.

He does not go into the "real estate." question.

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Saved by oil

He then explains how oil production on the North Slope increased life expectancy for the indigenous population by 13 years, in fact, "one of the largest increases in life expectancy anywhere on the planet."

"The financing of schools, clinics, hospitals, and airports. In Alaska, we have one of the world’s most robust health consortia for Indigenous peoples. Everyone realizes that the climate is changing and that the Arctic is warming. Among Indigenous groups, there are different views regarding how Alaska has handled this."

"And the Trump administration does not distinguish between different groups. American citizens are all of the same kind."

Trustbuilding

A person in the audience wants to know how all the investments in the Arctic are being carried out to include local communities.

Do you collaborate with them and hold discussions beforehand, so that they become part of these investments?

“This is stated in our agreement with Greenland. To the maximum extent possible, we intend to work with the Greenlanders. This is their country and we have to be careful not to underestimate them. They're very sophisticated people and entirely capable of managing their business and affairs, and they'll be great partners”, replies Dunleavy.

"We must be respectful and attentive, and realize that good things take time. It is a process of trust-building and learning," the governor adds.

Threats to the Arctic

The United States was strongly represented at this year’s Arctic Circle Assembly. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R) of Alaska also took the podium, but presented a picture of conditions in Alaska that was somewhat more balanced in both her choice of words and topics.

"Global interests are growing faster than ever. Shipping, energy production, mineral exploration, fisheries, and tourism. Many of these areas offer great opportunities for growth, trade, and jobs. But others, such as climate issues and aggression, pose threats," says Murkowski.

And when it comes to Russia, where does one begin? Russia has declared war on Alaskan seafood. Through their aggressive behavior, they continues to disqualify themselves from the conversation about the Arctic.

Early warning system

The senator views the Arctic as an early warning system, if one pays attention.

"We can detact signals and risks. Some are natural, others are man-made, but all demand our attention and a level of preparedness the Arctic has never had before," she warns.

She says that oil development requires oil spill preparedness that does not exist in the Far North.

"Mineral extraction requires not only high standards designed for the Arctic but also roads, ports, and energy supplies, infrastructure that is often doesn't exist. All the different forms of security we desire, whether regarding national security, the regional economy, food security, the environment, or energy, entail additional requirements.

More research

Lisa Murkowski wants more research in the Arctic, not less.

"We must continue to invest in the Arctic, but we need to put more into research, infrastructure, and defense."

The Alaska senator acknowledges that there are certain communication problems with the rest of the world.

“The United States is guilty of a polarized conversation that ping-pongs as our presidential administrations change.”

The US has, as she puts it, "room for improvement."

"We have seen how relations have struggled over the past 20 months, marked by hostile rhetoric, threats to seize territory by force, and the weakening of long-standing, trust-based alliances. But we have also demonstrated what success looks like, through our recent agreement with Greenland and Denmark."

Stronger partnerships

She urges the international community to forge stronger partnerships in the Arctic.

The future of the Arctic does not lie in territorial conquest, terrorists, and trade wars, nor in silos and separate spheres of influence. It lies in a renewed commitment to our long-standing alliances, and in the continuous effort to nurture and strengthen them.

Regarding the Trump administration's sustained focus on security in the Arctic, Murkowski shares her thoughts on the way forward.

"If the administration wishes to focus on national security and strengthening our infrastructure, we should discuss this from a dual-use perspective, ensuring that residents of the region benefit from lower energy and transport costs. We must find ways to achieve gains that both support the administration’s goals and ensure that necessary measures are taken to assist those who live, work, and raise families in the Arctic."