Murkowski Responds to Pentagon Arctic Strategy Announcement
Senator Appreciates Elevation of Attention and Engagement
WASHINGTON, DC — Senator Lisa Murkowski today responded to the release of the United States Department of Defense Arctic Strategy showing it wants to be ‘very active and very involved’ in the region, saying:
“I welcome the Department of Defense’s increased attention to, and engagement in, the Arctic. All components of the U.S. Government need to be involved to make the Arctic a national priority and our Armed Forces play a vital role toward that end. There is a tremendous opportunity in front of us for increased international cooperation, collaboration, and partnerships in the Arctic.
“While the Arctic is currently considered a low threat level, we want to keep the threat level low as the potential for conflict rises with increased activity and resource development. The Department of Defense’s Arctic Strategy recognizes this reality. I appreciated Secretary Hagel sitting down with me last week and I look forward to working with him and the rest of the Department moving forward and in ensuring Alaska and our Arctic stakeholders are engaged as the Department moves forward with their Strategy.”
