WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senators Angus King (I-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), co-chairs of the Senate Arctic Caucus, led a letter with a bipartisan group of 10 of their Senate colleagues – including Senator Susan Collins – urging Secretary of State Antony Blinken to address critical Arctic issues. In their letter, the Senators raised the need for a comprehensive Arctic strategy and questioned the State Department’s organizational approach to the region.

“It is imperative the Arctic receives the appropriate attention to promote American interests in a world where we compete for ideas, resources, and relationships,” wrote the Senators. “As you consider your options to either fill the Arctic Coordinator vacancy or take another direction altogether, we write to convey our thoughts about the importance of this issue and the dedication required by your Department to credibly impart our sincerity on Arctic issues to our friends and competitors.”

“With this in mind, we request that you consider elevating the position of Arctic Coordinator to the Ambassador level or higher,” continued the Senators. “The U.S. is the only Arctic nation without a dedicated Ambassador to the region. While we know other nations will always hear our perspective because of our international standing, it is important to demonstrate the sincerity our government holds in its engagement by ensuring the position is given a title commensurate with its responsibilities.”

“The Department of Defense (DOD) recently established a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Arctic Affairs and Global Resilience. DOD released an Arctic Strategy in 2019 and each military service branch has subsequently released their own Arctic strategies,” concluded the Senators. “We understand no such strategic document exists for the Department of State. As the lead agency in international affairs, we ask that you ensure the Arctic receives the attention required of our nation’s leading agency.”

In closing their letter, the Senators asked for a timely response on how the State Department will address their concerns with:

1)     the future of the Arctic Coordinator position;

2)     the status of a comprehensive and holistic Arctic strategy for the Department, and;

3)     how the Secretary is aligning or redistributing assets, resources, and personnel within the Department to address issues identified in a recent Inspector General’s report. 

In addition to Senators King, Murkowski, and Collins, the letter was signed by Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Chris Coons (D-DE), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Bill Hagerty (R-TN), and Kevin Cramer (R-ND).

As a member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Co-Chair of the U.S. Senate Arctic Caucus, Senator King is an advocate for Maine’s interests in the North Atlantic and Arctic region. In this year’s National Defense Authorization Act, he successfully secured the inclusion of provisions to increase America’s activity and opportunities in the Far North. Last year, Senator King applauded the U.S. Navy’s recently-released Strategic Blueprint for the Arctic – the publication represents a forward-thinking approach to achieving U.S. priorities in the Arctic, and stresses Maine’s critical strategic importance in the region. Senator King previously introduced the Arctic Naval Focus Act of 2019 with Senators Sullivan and Murkowski, a bill that would direct the federal government to recognize the importance of the Arctic region to the United States’ national and economic security interests.

The full letter can be read HERE or below.

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Dear Secretary Blinken:

We write to you in regards to Arctic diplomacy. In particular, we understand your lead for Arctic Affairs, the Coordinator of the Arctic Region, is vacating his position this summer when he moves on to another assignment within the State Department. We commend the work of the outgoing Arctic Coordinator and aim to ensure the Department of State builds on this work to serve the national interest in the Arctic. As we approach this transition period, we would like to bring your attention to three issues: the need to lead with diplomacy, your Department’s organizational approach to the region, and the need for a comprehensive Arctic strategy.

It is imperative the Arctic receives the appropriate attention to promote American interests in a world where we compete for ideas, resources, and relationships. As you consider your options to either fill the Arctic Coordinator vacancy or take another direction altogether, we write to convey our thoughts about the importance of this issue and the dedication required by your Department to credibly impart our sincerity on Arctic issues to our friends and competitors.

With this in mind, we request that you consider elevating the position of Arctic Coordinator to the Ambassador level or higher. The U.S. is the only Arctic nation without a dedicated Ambassador to the region. While we know other nations will always hear our perspective because of our international standing, it is important to demonstrate the sincerity our government holds in its engagement by ensuring the position is given a title commensurate with its responsibilities.

The State Department’s recent history with Arctic diplomacy is disjointed. The “Arctic Coordinator” position was established in August 2020. Previous to that, from 2015-2017, coinciding with the U.S. Chairmanship of the Arctic Council, the State Department established a Special Representative for Arctic Affairs. Before 2015, we lacked any senior level Arctic leadership within the State Department. While both the Arctic Coordinator and the Special Representative advanced our nation’s interests in the Arctic, neither position was given the authority within the Department to align resources to policy nor did they hold the rank equivalency of their counterparts from other Arctic nations. Additionally, for nearly three years between the two positions, our country lacked a lead Arctic diplomat. We urge you to not let this lapse happen again.  

We also understand responsibility within the State Department for Arctic issues is spread between several bureaus. An August 2021 State Department Office of Inspector General report on the Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs revealed that roles and responsibilities for Arctic affairs are not clearly defined, communication between the Arctic Coordinator’s Office and other bureaus is lacking, and the Department does not possess a clearly articulated Arctic strategy. In light of this report we find it paramount to ensure the Arctic Coordinator position (or its future equivalent) receives appropriate support and guidance from Department leadership and be empowered to delineate these responsibilities, establish effective internal communication and responsibilities, and represent U.S. interests outwardly. These factors must be considered for the future of this position and its role in your Department.

The Department of Defense (DOD) recently established a Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Arctic Affairs and Global Resilience. DOD released an Arctic Strategy in 2019 and each military service branch has subsequently released their own Arctic strategies. We understand no such strategic document exists for the Department of State. As the lead agency in international affairs, we ask that you ensure the Arctic receives the attention required of our nation’s leading agency.

Given these considerations we ask that you provide a back brief at the staff level no later than April 1, 2022 on how the Department will address our concerns on 1) the future of the Arctic Coordinator position, 2) the status of a comprehensive and holistic Arctic strategy for the Department, and 3) how you are aligning or redistributing assets, resources, and personnel within the Department to address the issues identified in the aforementioned Inspector General’s report.

We look forward to hearing from you about these critical issues and offer our support to advance Arctic diplomacy.