NATO Member Canada's Foreign Minister Unveils Arctic Foreign Policy - plus Minister of National Defence Weighs In

According to Global Affairs Canada,the Arctic is experiencing major changes.The shifting geopolitical landscape,evolving security threats and accelerating climate change are impacting the Arctic in unique ways and highlight the need for strong Canadian leadership to respond to the changing reality in the region.That is why the Honourabla Melanie Joly,PC MP,Minister of Foreign Affairs,on O6 DEC 2024 announced the launch of Canada's Arctic Foreign Policy (AFP).The AFP is the culmination of months of extensive engagement with territorial and provincial governments and Inuit,First Nations and Metis.The AFP was also informed by consultations with the Kingdom of Denmark;Finland;Iceland;Norway;Sweden;and the United States,Canada's like-minded Arctic Partners.The AFP is also a comprehensive diplomatic strategy for Canada's engagement in and on the Arctic.It provides expanded presence and partnerships to address current needs and the flexibility to adapt to future challenges.This approach complements the 2019 Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (ANPF),and it will allow Canada to continue to safeguard its sovereignty,advance national interests and promote a stable,prosperous and secure Arctic based on a shared vision of the region's future.The AFP is comprised of four foreign policy pillars:asserting Canada's sovereignty;advancing Canada's interests through pragmatic diplomacy;leadership on Arctic governance and multilateral challenges;and adopting a more inclusive approach to Arctic diplomacy.Said Foreign Minsiter Joly:We are in a tough world.Competiton is growing across the globe,and the Arctic is not immune.Many countries,including non-Arctic states,aspire for a greater role in Arctic affairs.The evolving security and evolving security and political realities in the region mean we need a new approach to advance our national interests...Canada will open new consulates in Alaska and Greenland,appoint an Arctic ambassador (an Indigenous person),and continue its boundary negotiations with the United States over the Beaufort Sea.The 37 page document also warns of Russian activity in the Arctic,including modernisation of its Arctic infrastructure and military capabilities.The Canadian Forces station in Alert,Ellesmere Island,is closer to Russia's air force base at Nagurskoye,Russia than Iqaluit (capital of Nunavut Territory) is to Ottawa,or Toronto is to Winnipeg.*Said Foreign Minister Joly:It is clear that Russia has no red lines.The Arctic is no longer a low-tension region.*According to the Honourable William Sterling Blair,PC,COM,MP,Minister of National Defence,in the document Our North,Strong and Free:Here at home,Canadians are depending more on the Canadian Armed Forces-our Regular and Reserved Forces and our Canadian Rangers...We are seeing greater Russian activity in our air approaches,and a growing number of Chinese vessels and surveillance platforms are mapping and collecting data about the region.Meanwhile,states are rapidly building up their military capabilities that impact our security in the Arctic-including submarines,long-range aircraft and hypersonic missiles that move faster and are harder to detect.As the Arctic becomes more accessible to foreign actors,we need to ensure our military has the tools to assert our sovereignty and protect Canada's interests.*At the same time,Canada's interests do not stop at our border.Russia's illegal and unprovoked full-scale invasion of Ukraine is an attack on the system of international rules and institutions that enable thr security and prosperity of Canada and Canadians;we must remain steadfast in our support of Ukraine.Furthermore,an increasingly assertive China challenges the international order in the Indo-Pacific.Canada must maintain a reliable,persistent military presence to uphold the global rules that underpin our prosperity and sovereignty.*Today we are confronted with a complex,generational challenge.The world is at an inflection point.Democracy,free trade and the rules and values that underpin them are increasingly being challenged by authoritarian states.In parallel,the character of conflict is changing as technonology evolves rapidly.Ultimately,our closest values of democracy,freedom,peace and fairness-which Canadians have fought and died to defend-are being challenged...In 2017,we released Strong,Secure,Engaged-Canada's defence policy,to ensure long-term,predictable,stable funding to National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).Seven years on,Canada's defence strategy remains in an upward trajectory,consistent with our commitment to meet NATO's Defence Investment Pladge.We are aqcuiring new fighter jets (Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning IIs) and Maritime Patrol Aircraft,and new built-in Canada Arctic and Offshore Patrol Vessels have been delivered to Canadian Sailors.In 2022,we invested 38.6 billion to modernise our contribution to the North American Aerospace Defence Command (NORAD).*NORAD is the only bi-national military command in the world,ensuring areospace warning and control and maritime warning for the United States and Canada.*Lockheed Martin (LMT)

USAF, Highway landing. F-35A fighters during military exercises in Finland,NATO - YouTube - MIL 3010

This is practise for operating in austere conditions.It simulates high intensity warfighting.Not only can the U.S. Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter land on highways-it can also take off from them and be refueled on them.For its part,the Finnish Air Force operates the Boeing F/A-18 C-D Hornet fighter until the F-35A can be phased in.Such drills build confidence between NATO Allies,improving interoperability in the Arctic Region.These f-35As are from RAF Lakenheath,England,where Great Britain is reconstituting its Boeing B61-12 tactical nuclear weapon deterrent facilities in light of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine,commercial documents indicate.These drills seem to have taken place in the summer.*Lockheed Martin (LMT),Boeing (BA)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg farewell speech and conversation,19 SEPT 2024 - YouTube

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg steps down on 1 OCT 2024.He will be succeeded by Former Netherlands Prime Minister Mark Rutte.Among Mr.Stoltenberg's takeaways was that the Afghan War went on too long.It should have ended when the Al Qaeda threat was eliminated,and not been transformed into nation building.

US Air Force, NATO. Powerful F-35A Lightning II and F-15E Strike Eagle on exercises in Spain - YouTube

2 OCT 2022-Los Llanos Air Force Base,Spain*Lockheed Martin F-35A Joint Strike Fighters and Boeing F-15E Strike Eagles,both of which are nuclear capable,on drills in Spain.Tactical Leadership Exercise (TLP) is to improve the performance of Allied air forces by developing the leadership;mission planning;tactical flying;and debriefing skills of participating NATO air crews.*Text by MIL3010 and edited by Andrew Taylor*Boeing (BA),Lockheed Martin (LMT)

NATO's High North:U.S. Arctic Strategy 2024,Part 2

The Arctic Strategy makes chilling reading:Strategic Environment - 1.The PRC includes the Arctic in its long-term planning and seeks to increase its influence and activities in the region.Though not an Arctic nation,the PRC is attempting to leverage changing dynamics in the Arctic to persue greater influence and access,take advantage of Arctic resources,and play a larger role in regional governance.The PRC seeks to bolster its operational expertise in the Arctic,where its presence,while limited,is increasing.The PRC operates three icebreakers:the Xue Long;Xue Long 2;and Zhong Shan Da Xue Ji Di-which enable the PRC's dual civilian/military research efforts in the Arctic.Over the course of the PRC's 13 Arctic research expeditions to date,the vessels have tested unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) and polar-capable fixed-wing aircraft,among other activities.People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) vessels have also demonstrated the capability and intent to operate in and around the Arctic through exercises with the Russian Navy over the past several years.*Although the vast majority of the Arctic is under the jurisdiction of sovereign states,the PRC seeks to promote the Arctic Region as a "global commons" in order to shift Arctic governance in its favour.The PRC's 2018 Arctic Policy claims non-Arctic states should contribute to the region's "shared future for mankind" due to the Arctic's global significance.Its "Polar Silk Road" has been used to gain a footing in the Arctic,pursuing investments in infrastructure and natural resources,including in the territory of NATO Allies.2.Russian activities in the Arctic:The Arctic plays a significant role in Russia's security and economic calculations.The importance is revealed in Russian strategic documents,including Russia's 2023 Foreign Policy Concept,which raises the Arctic to Russia's second priority region after Russia's "near abroad."Russia boasts the largest Arctic territory and the most developed military presence of all the Arctic nations.Of concern,Russia's Arctic capabilities have the potential to hold the U.S. homeland,as well as Allied Partner territory,at risk.*The Kola Peninsula is home to Russia's Northern Fleet and important strategic nuclear forces,specifically its submarine-launched ballistic missile forces.Russia continues to invest heavily in new military infrastructure and refurbishing Soviet-era installations in the Arctic.Despite some attrition of Russia's conventional land forces due to losses in Ukraine,its strategic,air and maritime forces remain intact.Further,Russia has demonstrated the ability to reconstitute and reorganise its conventional ground forces,which illuminates the potential for future improved readiness and combat expertise in the Arctic.*In addition to nuclear,conventional and special operations threats,Russia seeks to carry out lower-level destabilisation activities against the United States and our Allies,including through Global Positioning System jamming and military flights that are conducted in an unprofessional manner inconsistent with international law and custom.Russia also has a clear avenue of approach to the U.S. homeland through the Arctic,and could use its Arctic-based capabilities to threaten the ability of the United States to project power both to Europe and the Indo-Pacific Region,constraining our ability to respond to crises.Furthermore,Russia's maritime infrastructure could allow it to enforce illegal and excessive claims along the Northern Sea Route (NSR) between the Bering Strait and the Kara Strait.Russia claims the right to regulate Arctic waters along the NSR in excess of the authority permitted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),placing excessive requirements on foreign vessels out of compliance with Russian regulations.3.PRC-Russian Collaboration:Increasingly,the PRC and Russia are collaborating in the Arctic across multiple instruments of national power.While significant areas of disagreement between the PRC and Russia remain,their growing alignment in the region is of concern,and the DOD coninues to monitor this cooperation...PRC-Russia military cooperation,including joint military exercises in the Arctic,continues to increase.In 2022 and 2023,PLAN and Russian Navy ships operated together in international waters off the coast of Alaska;and the Chinese Coast Guard and Russian Federal Security Service signed a memorandum of understanding on maritime law enforcement.These activities could open the door to future PRC presence in the Arctic and the NSR.

NATO's High North:U.S. Arctic Strategy 2024 - Part 1

According to a prefatory Memorandum by U.S. Secretary of Defense General Lloyd F. Austin III,U.S. Army ret.:The United States is an Arctic nation,and the region is critical to the defense of our Homeland,the protection of U.S. national sovereignty,and our defense treaty commitments...Major geopolitical changes are driving the need for this new strategic approach to the Arctic,including Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine,the accession of Finland and Sweden into the NATO Alliance,increasing collaboration between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Russia,and the accelerating impact of climate change.This increasingly accessible region is becoming a venue for strategic competition,and the United States must stand ready to meet the challenge alongside Allies and Partners.This new DOD strategy directs the Department to enhance its Arctic capabilities,deepen engagement with Allies and Partners,and exercise our forces to build readiness for operations at high latititudes...This strategy represents prudent and measured efforts to protetct U.S. interests in the face of new challenges and an evolving security environment.*In the body of U.S. Arctic Strategy 2024,it notes:The National Defense Strategy (2022) directs that activities in the Arctic will be calibrated to reflect a "monitor-and-respond" approach that is underpinned by robust intelligence collection capabilities,security cooperation with our regional Allies and Partners,and the deterrent value of the DOD'S ability to deploy the Joint Force at the time and place of our choosing...This strategy will strengthen the ability of the United States to build integrated deterrence and effectively manage risk to U.S. interests in the Arctic Region by enhancing our domain awareness and Arctic capabilities;engaging with Allies,Partners and key stakeholders;and exercising tailored presence...The North American Arctic Region comprises the northern approaches to the homeland and includes sovereign U.S. territiory in Alaska-home to significant U.S. defense infrastructure (Eielson Air Force Base;Fort Greely;Fort Wainwright;Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson;Clear Space Force Station),and the sovereign territory of NATO Allies including Canada and the Kingdom of Denmark's autonomous territory of Greenland.Vital for homeland defense,the North American Arctic Region hosts aerospace warning,aerospace control and maritime warning capabilities for the binational U.S.-Canada North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD).The North American Arctic Region is also integrated to the execution of Indo-Pacific operations,as the Northern Flank for projecting force from the U.S. homeland to that region.*Geographically,the European Arctic Region comprises the Arctic territory of NATO Allies Finland,Iceland,Norway and Sweden,as well as Russia's Kola Penninsula.Collaboration in this region between Unified Combatant Commands (CCMDs-U.S. European Command,U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Indo-Pacific Command) and Arctic Allies is critical to the collective defense of NATO Allies and to U.S. homeland defense.The accession of new NATO Allies and the strengthening of the NATO Alliance opens strategic opportunities and supports critical objectives in the National Strategy for the Arctic Region (NSAR 2022).The Arctic serves as an avenue for power projection between North America and Europe.The Arctic includes multiple strategically significant maritime chokepoints.Reduction in sea ice due to climate change means chokepoints such as the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia (you can see Russia from Alaska) and Russia and the Barents Sea north of Norway,are becoming more navigable and more economically and miltarily significant.

NATO 2024: Strategic Defence Plans Against Russia - YouTube - UATV News

U.S. Marines, NATO. Tanks and armoured vehicles. Military exercises in Sweden - YouTube - MIL 3010

The U.S. Marines and Royal Swedish Amphibious Corps (Marines) during Baltic Operations 24 in Sweden.BALTOPS 24 is the premier annual exercise in the Baltic Sea Region.It provides a unique opportunity to strengthen joint response capabilities critical to maintaining freedom of navigation and security in the Baltic Sea Region.*Text by MIL 3010 and edited by Andrew Taylor Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules and M142 HiMARS (LMT),General Dynamics Land Systems Abrams M1A2V3 tank (GD)

NATO Secretary General with the President of Slovakia 🇸🇰 Peter Pellegrini,28 JUN 2024

Immediate Response 24:Complex Drills Develop Warfighting Acumen

According to a press release by U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAEA),on 30 April 2024,around 1600 U.S. Army Soldiers and more than 200 pieces of their equipment started a 900 km/559.2 mi tactical road march from Narvik,Norway to Rovajarvi,Finland,marking the commencement of Exercise Immediate Response 24.Transiting through Norway,Sweden and Finland,troops from 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team,10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) out of Fort Johnson,Louisiana traveled to Finland to conduct multinational drills as part of Immediate Response 24,the Finnish national exercise Northern Forest 24,and NATO's Steadfast Defender.Said MG Greg Anderson,commanding general of 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry):The 10th Mountain Division's storied past shows a proud connection with the Finnish Army and this region.We are eager and excited to be able to train and learn from our Nordic Allies,and look forward to developing joint and combined warfighting excellence and capabilities,both today and in the years to come.*Immediate Response ran through 31 May 2024,involving more than 10,400 U.S. service members from more than 12 Allied and Partner nations.Finland's Northern Forest 24 ran from 26 May to 31 May 2024.Said LTG Pasi Valinaki,commander Finnish Army:It's a valuable training opportunity to be able to connect Immediate Response 24 to the Finnish Army's Northern Forest 24 exercise.A successful logistical exercise through Norway and Sweden,as well as logisitical support by the Finnish Defence Force's Logistics Command,is proof of our collective ability to receive transatlantic reinforcement of Allied troops and the ability of NATO to project land power anytime,anywhere.Furthermore,training with 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team is a logical step in developing a relationship with 10th Mountain Division.This exercise further develops our combined warfighting capabilities in the North.*The tactical road march represents a milestone moment for the drills with NATO's newest members,Sweden and Finland,as well as several firsts,including the use of seaports in Narvik and Kalundborg;a rail guage change;and the deployment of a light Brigade Combat Team in the Nordic Region.*Immediate Response 24,one of three subexercises of DEFENDER 24,includes the deployment of continental U.S.-based forces;Army prepositioned stock draws;live-fire drills;wet gap crossings;and interoperability training with Allies and Partners in Czechia,Estonia,Finland,Germany,Norway,Poland and Sweden.

Keiler, Puma, Leopard 2 - dust and sound in Pabrade - YouTube - BTB-concept - 3 JUNE 2024

This was a demonstration programme held at the Pabrade Training Area in Lithuania.It included an observer from the Royal Netherlands Army.

NATO Secretary General doorstep statement at the EU Foreign Affairs Council 28 MAY 2024 - YouTube

Russia's Finding Ways to Attack NATO – Using Hybrid Tactics - YouTube - UA News

U.S. Army, NATO. Allied Forces Prepare for Defence in Europe. - YouTube - 17 May 2024

Spring Storm 24/Swift Response 24:British Army is Ready to Defend Estonia Today

British troops are practising warfighting on NATO's Eastern Flank in NATO Exercise Spring Storm 24.The drills are part of NATO's Defender Europe 2024,the largest NATO exercise since the Cold War,with over 90,000 military personnel participating.Spring Storm simulates a Russian attack on Estonia.In Spring Storm,Estonia is hosting an annual military exercise led by an Infantry Division of its Estonian Defence Forces.The goal is to train in defensive joint operations with Allied Units,focusing within a scenario covered by NATO Article V,an attack on one is an attack on all.Participants include military forces from Estonia,the UK,Denmark,France,the US and Finland,with Republic of Georgia and Ukraine participating as observers.The drills run from 12-31 May 2024.According to the UK news outlet The Independent,BG Giles Harris,commander of British forces in the Baltics,said:It's very urgent.I'm not going to second guess what may or may not happen,but as military personnel,our job is to be ready.There is no point in waiting to be ready.We should be ready now.And what's playing out in Ukraine provides us with the lessons that we nee to learn.Our mindset is whether it's today or tomorrow,we must make ourselves ready to defend every inch of Estonian land if necessary.In the minds of the Soldiers,the strategic purpose and context in which we're doing this training has definitely changed.The fact that we are doing this so close to Russia brings it home why it's so important to be here.*Said BG Mark Berry,commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade:I don't consider any of the activities my Soldiers conduct is a show.My role is to make sure that Soldiers have the right training opportunities and feel ready and prepared to work together with Allies or on their own.We do,of course,send messages to whoever will listen.We want to make clear our forces are ready...they're capable of working with each other.In any specific time frame,when we are training we are looking for lessons from conflict zones,anywhere that has a lesson we can take.*Said LTC David Lambert of the Army Air Corps:The training is generally as realistic as it gets.There is no artificiality in this.It's just as good training from the lowest level all the way to the top.We are ready to fight today.*In the overlapping Swift Response 24,the U.S. led Immediate Response Force will carry out joint operations to enhance readiness;foster interoperaability;and contribute to NATO's assurance and deterrence efforts.Aligned with U.S. European Command's (USEUCOM) North/South exercise campaign,it involves both command post exercises and field training drills.Paticipants include the US and France,with USEUCOM leading the initiative.It runs from 14 May-14 June 2024 in Poland,Latvia,Lithuania,Estonia and the Republic of Georgia.

Combat Credible Forces:Rotational Army Units Deploy to Europe for Reasurrance,Deterrence and Defence

A press release by U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAEA) states that U.S. Army rotational units have been deployed to Europe for NATO support: 1.The 1st Cavalry Division HQ will replace 3rd Infantry Division HQ in Europe for the first time in four years,which was before Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022;2.the 1st Cavalry Division Artillery will replace the 3rd Infantry Division Artillery in Europe;3.the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT),"Ironhorse",4th Infantry Division,will replace the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team,3rd Infantry Division in Europe;4.the 1st Cavalry Combat Aviation Brigade (AirCav) will replace the 1st Infantry Division Combat Aviation Brigade;5.the 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade will replace the 3rd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade in Europe.The deployments will occur between April and June.*According to the Task and Purpose news outlet,the U.S. Army's "First Team" is on its way to Europe.Ahead of its deployment,the unit held a casing of the colours ceremony at its home,Fort Cavazos,Texas.It is the first time the unit is deploying to Europe under the leadership of MG Kevin D. Admiral.MG Admiral said the troops were ready for their mission:We are going over to reassure our NATO Allies and work with Partners.*Along with MG Admiral was SGM LeVares J. Jackson,and the two leaders folded and cased the unit's colours.This signifies the deployment of 1st CAV.Said MG Admiral:Now more than ever,it is critical that we reassure our Allies in Europe that America's First Team will provide combat ready formations to deter aggression,and,should deterrence fail,our adversaries will see what it means to be CAV ready.*In addition,according to the Army Times news outlet,the 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team,10th Mountain Division,will replace 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team,101st Airborne Division in support of NATO Allies.This will occur later this summer,according to LTC Sarah Ray,10th Mountain Division spokesperson.She said:They will continue to assure our NATO Partners and Allies,deterring further Russian aggression and reinforcing the NATO flank in Eastern Europe.*USAEA stated that some 1600 Soldiers already arrived in Norway to begin a nearly 559 mi/899.6 km road march to Finland,where 10th Mountain Division is currently taking part in multinational training between the US,NATO and new member Finland.The drills will occur through 31 May and involve more than 10,400 U.S. service members.*When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022,the Biden administration announced an influx of troops to shore up NATO's Eastern Flank-and spurred two Nordic neighbours to join the Alliance.Sweden joined NATO on 7 March 2024 and Finland joined on 4 April 2024.The 10th Mountain Division deployment to Finland will be an historic one,as the first light Infantry Brigade Combat Team to deploy to a Nordic Country.*The Pentagon had responded to Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine by deploying 20,000 additional troops to Europe,bringing the total number of U.S. troops in European operations to more than 100,000.*The 3rd Infantry Division is out of Fort Johnson,Louisiana.*History of 1st CAV:1st Cavalry Division had participated in World War II combat;Korean War combat;Air mobile warfare,Vietnam;Gulf War combat;War on Terror combat in the Iraq War and Afghan War.Activated on 13 September 2021 at Fort Bliss,Texas,initially the troopers rode on horseback in desert regions around Fort Bliss,engaging in rough-riding along the Mexico border.With technological advancement,horse mounted cavalry became obsolete,so the Division transitioned to dismounted cavalry for WW II.In 2023,the Division became subordinate to III Armored Corps at Fort Cavazos,Texas.

NATO Secretary General with the Chancellor of Germany 🇩🇪 Olaf Scholz, 26 APR 2024

Note:Arrests of Russian agents have recently been made in Germany (espionage/sabotage) and the UK (hostile activity on behalf of Russia).

NATO Secretary General visits Olaf Scholz - YouTube - 26 APR 2026 - BTB-concept - Federal Chancellery,Berlin,Germany

Working visit by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.The video shows the entry of the guard battalion's post of honour;arrival and greeting of the guest;and marching out of the post of honour.The demonstrators drew attention to the civil war in Tigray,Northenmost Ethiopia,on the border with Eritreia in Northwest Africa.