Geo-political Considerations of the High North

Ambassadors Series Briefing with Kenneth John Braithwaite II, 77th Secretary of the Navy; former U.S ambassador to Norway, and former Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Jim Nicholson

00:28– 3:12 Sec’y Jim Nicholson introduces Kenneth J. Braithwaite, naval aviator, USN Admiral, U.S. Ambassador, Secretary of the Navy

3:12 – 3:30 America’s allies

3:30 – 4:51 Strategic importance of Norway and the blue Arctic

4:52 – 5:35 China’s designs on the Arctic

5:35 – 6:38 Strategic value of Svalbard, Norway

6:38 – 7:42 China’s commercial fishing and the Northern Sea trade route

7:45 – 9:02 President Trump’s idea to buy Greenland

9:03 – 10:34 China’s response to Norway’s restrictions

10:35 – 10:56 China’s interest in the High North: rare earth minerals, oil, fishing stocks

10:57 – 11:56 The eight Arctic Nations; Seward’s Folly; Russia’s perspective

11:57 – 13:32 The Arctic Council; priorities of the individual member states

13:33 – 14:10 Armies win wars, but navies prevent wars

14:11 – 15:00 Responsibility of the United States as a beacon of democracy

15:03 – 17:21 U.S. Arctic policy for the U.S. Navy and national security

17:22 – 18:42 Russia’s focus and forces in the Arctic; plants flag under the North Pole

18:42 – 22:11 Russia’s culture drives its foreign policy

22:12 – 22:56 China’s foreign policy via economic coercion

22:57 – 24:25 Being pro-active with a contentious blue Arctic

24:25 – 27:02 Strong female leaders: P.M. Norway Erna Solberg, ADM Lisa Franchetti, Chief Naval Operations

27:03 – 29:40 Transformation of the U.S. Navy with Fleet Forces Command throughout the world

29:41 – 33:07 George Marshall on how to avoid WW III

33:08 – 34:03 China’s naval strength is a threat to freedom-loving people

34:04 – 34:44 ABMF Chairman Jim Rosener and Secretary Braithwaite on the responsibility of a nation to those who put themselves in harm’s way and give the ultimate sacrifice