PROFESSIONAL PRAC IN NAT SEC

A huge deep dive into the Arctic across the spectrum of security, economics, sociopolitical concerns, was especially exciting! Tackling a largely unknown subject in a team setting was a novel experience for me, as even in other research and client based deliveries that I've done in the past (professionally). The teams I have worked with were usually composed of individuals that had strong backgrounds and a robust subject matter expertise (more often than not) in the client organization. This course was challenging in terms of achieving a synthesis of many ideas that were explored in the MNSP program prior, but had not been holistically combined and represented in a singular course. I found the challenge of working with a high-performing and (unfortunately) largely unavailable client—especially informative as the sessions that were available (1) required both immediate engagement and analysis of the client's needs as well as a significant amount of team discussion and meditative time afterwards to refine the analysis of what the clients research goals are. Thoroughly enjoyed all aspects!

Knowledge: Arctic climate, geopolitics, security matters, US strategy for the Arctic--how it is developed and who is responsible Skills: How to read policy documents, policy formulation process: ID threats/strategic signifcance, policy gaps, and recommendations

1. Identifying Sensationalist and Alarmist Articles - Enjoyed the exercise that Tim performed where he asked us to identify what articles were overly sensational. Helped me realize the academic equivalent of click bait that is not necessarily relevant or useful in an academic setting or environment. While those articles do have their role, the alarmist approach is mostly there to pray on one's emotions to try and influence an immediate fix to something that may not actually require immediate attention. 2. Thinking Beyond Hard Power - Theme of cooperation and competition does not have to lead to conflict. Folks have been operating in that region. While there's urgency to move to the Arctic and deal with those problems, they're not necessarily issues that will lead to kinetic action in the region 3. Emphasis on Mutual Cooperation - Arctic is a remote and scary place. No nation can really solve all the arctic problems alone. Taking a Star Trek approach of a community of nations working together to resolve problems is sometimes the best solution.

I learned a lot about the Arctic. Prior to the course, I gave the Arctic zero consideration. Now, I understand the geopolitical and strategic importance.

I learned how the Arctic area matters to countries in terms of natural resources, economic markets, and national security. It gave me insights into how countries like Russia would incorporate the Arctic as part of its sovereignty, how Canada regards access in the Arctic as part of its Sovereignty, and the importance of Arctic countries friendly to the United States are part of the stakeholders that are important as part of the Arctic Council. I did not know much about the Arctic beforehand, but the readings, videos, in-person lectures and the remarks from my peers certainly reinforced this mindset for me. I don't want to say that this is a coveted terrirtory that others would like to have, but I can see its values among many domains.