Arctic Security in a Time of Great Power Competition, Conflict, and Instability

F-35A Lightning II aircraft from the U.S. over Arctic

Aircraft from the U.S. Air Force’s 48th Fighter Wing and the Royal Norwegian Air Force fly in tandem after a formation flight near Lofoten, Norway, March 10, 2026

Cpl. Mya Seymour via Wikimedia Commons
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Seminar
Event Format
In person
Address
S030, CGIS South, 1730 Cambridge Street

This seminar is a part of a multi-year research project that investigates how NATO should develop and defend its northern flank in the future, amidst an increasingly militaristic, authoritarian, and aggressive Russia. These changes coincide with significant burden shifts in NATO. The project is led by the Norwegian Defence University College with partners from the USA, Canada, and Europe and utilizes wargames and tabletop exercises (TTX) in tandem with peer-reviewed research. The Norwegian Ministry of Defense supports the project financially, and it is now in its 3rd year.

The seminar at the Davis Center will present new findings from what we have learned so far, as well as new knowledge from ongoing academic activities in the project. The seminar consists of two panels, with the first session devoted to presenting outcomes from the executed wargames. The second panel will present research findings from a parallel project developing a scientific anthology on the future relationship between NATO and Russia, with a special focus on the Arctic region and NATO's northern flank. 

Intro: 9- 9:15 am

Panel I (9:15-10 am): "Building Knowledge on Conflict and War through Wargames and Research"

  • Victoria Henley, Major, U.S. Army, and PhD Candidate, MIT: "Three Wargames on Arctic Security."
  • Lt. Col. Dr. Juha Kukkola, Finnish Defense Forces: TBD (Joining online)
  • Dr. Leo Blanken, Professor, Naval Postgraduate School: "What have we learned about Potential Large-scale Conflict between Russia and the West from a NATO/US Perspective?"

Panel II (10:30-11:30 am): "The future of Trans-Atlantic Security and the Relationship between Russia and the West"

  • Mathieu Boulègue, Senior Fellow, Center for European Policy Analysis: "Is Russia a Threat or Strategic Competitor to the West in the Arctic and North         Atlantic region?"
  • Dr. Charlotte Hulme, Assistant Professor, Naval War College: "Hemispheric Defense and NATO's Northern Flank: Implications of the Trump Doctrine."
  • Dr. Jordan Becker, Jean Monnet Fellow at the European University Institute, Florence, Italy: Sharing the Burden of Nordic Security (Joining online)

Q&A and Closing Remarks. 

 

Sponsorship

This event is co-organized and co-sponsored by the Norwegian Defense University College.

Accessibility

The Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies at Harvard University encourages persons with disabilities to participate in its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at 617-495-4037 or daviscenter@fas.harvard.edu in advance of your participation or visit. Requests for Sign Language interpreters and/or CART providers should be made at least two weeks in advance if possible. Please note that the Davis Center will make every effort to secure services but that services are subject to availability.