The U.S. Navy sent destroyers and an aircraft to the waters off Alaska after Russian and Chinese military vessels were found operating near the Aleutian Islands last week, according to USA Today. This is at least the third year in a row that Chinese naval ships have sailed in and around these waters. It comes amid long-standing concerns of growing activity in the Arctic region, given the warming climate and more open water because of melting sea ice.
Faculty experts at the George Washington University are available to offer insight, commentary and analysis on these developments. If you would like to schedule an interview with an expert, please contact GW Media Relations at [email protected].
Robert Orttung is a research professor of international affairs and the director of research at Sustainable GW. He is an expert on comparative politics, Russia, Ukraine, energy security, federalism, and democracy. Orttung can discuss Russia’s Arctic ambitions. He can also speak to Russian politics, Russian-Ukrainian relations and all issues related to urban politics in Eurasia. Orttung’s additional research interests include ways to promote sustainable development, both internationally and in the United States. In particular, his current areas of research focus on developing an index of urban sustainability for the Arctic and other extreme climates.
Robert Sutter, Professor of Practice of International Affairs, is an expert on U.S.-China relations, China’s rise-domestic and international implications, Chinese foreign relations, Contemporary U.S. policy toward Asia and the Pacific, and political, security and economic development in Asia and the Pacific. Sutter’s government career saw service as senior specialist and director of the Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division of the Congressional Research Service, the National Intelligence Officer for East Asia and the Pacific at the US Government’s National Intelligence Council, the China division director at the Department of State’s Bureau of Intelligence and Research. He was also a professional staff member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He can discuss this coordinated China-Russia behavior, its robust development over the past decade to challenge and undermine the U.S. and its partners, and the overall extensive relationship between the two collaborating powers.
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