Witness warns of growing Russian–Chinese activity in Arctic and urges stronger sensing, research partnerships

Former U.S. Ambassador for Arctic Affairs Mike Shraga told the Senate Arctic Affairs Committee on April 3 that geopolitical competition in the Arctic is intensifying and that Alaska should expand sensing and research partnerships to help deter and monitor foreign activity.

Shraga described growing Russian and Chinese naval, coast guard and research activity near Alaska and said the Russian northern fleet has showcased new capabilities. "This is a very different time for us," he said, noting increased patrols and the appearance of Chinese coast guard and research vessels. He also cited recent Russian displays of new platforms in the northern fleet.

He argued that the United States should integrate Arctic policy into broader foreign policy and recommended stronger cooperation among NATO partners, expanded fiber and sensor networks in Alaska and closer engagement between state and federal agencies such as the Department of Defense and Coast Guard. "When The United States walked in the room, everybody wanted to hear what we had to say," he said, urging Alaska to lean forward to influence U.S. Arctic policy.

On international institutions, Shraga said the Arctic Council paused senior‑level engagement after Russia's full‑scale invasion of Ukraine; Norway managed the chairship and kept essential research projects going at lower levels, and Denmark will take the chair in May with Greenland and the Faroe Islands involved. Shraga said Russia has not initiated new Arctic Council projects and that future engagement will follow U.S. foreign policy decisions.

What was not resolved: Committee members did not adopt policy changes or votes in response to the security recommendations. Several strategic assertions (e.g., military capabilities cited) were presented by the witness without documentary evidence in the hearing and would require external verification.

Next steps: Committee scheduled additional briefings with research and security institutions to examine sensor networks and the role of state‑federal partnerships going forward.