Google Speech-to-Text API Automatic Transcription (Chirp). Treat it as a searchable index of what was broadcast, not a quotation record.
00:00:03in
00:00:11in We welcome the audience, we have fairly good size audience today,
00:00:15uh, want to remind everyone that uh, the rules of this committee are very clear,
00:00:19we have zero
00:00:20a tolerance for any
00:00:21of interruptions or any attempt to uh communicate with anyone here at the
00:00:25dias or uh with the witnesses, and as
00:00:28a result of that, anyone to... attempts
00:00:30to do so will be subject to the usual things we do here, which is
00:00:34removal and
00:00:34of arrest, so thank you all for coming and uh we enjoy having
00:00:38people
00:00:39of here to watch the business
00:00:41of the United States Senate
00:00:44Committee, so with that
00:00:47um I want to uh talk, I'm going to start with you, Mr.
00:00:51Johnson, um, support for a strong, free and
00:00:55united uh Bosnia remains a policy priority for the
00:00:58United States. If confirmed as
00:01:02of ambassador, it
00:01:02of is important that you continue
00:01:03to, yeah,
00:01:07I'm going to let them introduce before,
00:01:10sorry, if confirmed is ambassador,
00:01:14it is important that you continue to reinforce firm US support for the
00:01:17dayton accords will finding ways to foster dialogue across all political
00:01:21factions, today
00:01:22I hope to hear how you plan to help protect the sovereignty
00:01:26and territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
00:01:30from Russian malign influence
00:01:32a encourage the government to strengthen its institutions and advance the rule
00:01:36of law. Uh, Dr. Neshwat, as Russia and China
00:01:40continue to grow their influence and presence in the Arctic, this
00:01:44administration is taking meaningful steps to prioritize the region
00:01:48as a critical component of U.S. national
00:01:51security. If confirmed as ambassador to the Arctic, I trust that with
00:01:55your professional background in the military and the intelligence
00:01:59of community, We'll continue this effort to advance our security
00:02:03interest, encounter our adversaries in the Arctic while
00:02:06deepening cooperation
00:02:08a with our partners and NATO allies. Mr. Young, as
00:02:12Serbia faces number of challenges to the rule of law, political freedoms
00:02:15of and countering malign foreign
00:02:18of influence, US engagement must focus on helping Serbia address these issues
00:02:22along with resolving divisions both in the
00:02:25of country and with its neighbors. Russia and China also have footholds in.
00:02:30particularly
00:02:31in the energy and tech sectors. If Belgrade wants
00:02:33of to improve relations with the United States, it won't do so by
00:02:37continuing to work with our adversaries. I look forward to hearing your
00:02:41plan
00:02:42of to uh convince Serbia in the right direction, if
00:02:46confirmed as
00:02:47a ambassador. of Miss Patel, the United States
00:02:49has had enduring relationship with Cabo Verdi, a country of 10 islands
00:02:53in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of West
00:02:56Africa for over 200 years.
00:03:00of operate the first US counsulat in Sub
00:03:03in Saheran Africa in Kabul in
00:03:061818, if confirmed, it would be up to you to
00:03:10continue this long tradition of diplomacy. I like forward to
00:03:14of hearing how you plan to engage Cabo Verdi issues of trade and
00:03:17investment as well as maritime security and
00:03:20counter narcotics work. Finally, Mr. Gillen President
00:03:24Trump's Landmark C5+1 summit last year
00:03:28launched a new era of... engagement uh with
00:03:31Krzikstan and
00:03:33a central Asia. I participated in that and I believe it
00:03:36was very positive engagement as we move
00:03:40forward and hopefully
00:03:42of cultivate that relationship.
00:03:44of As of ambassador, you will play an important role in expanding
00:03:48cooperation and encouraging reform that facilitates US investment
00:03:51in Kurzakstan's infrastructure, development, energy and critical
00:03:55mineral sector. American involvement in these
00:03:59industries. is vital to counter China's influence in the
00:04:03region. It is also crucial that you work with the K
00:04:06government to counter Russian sanctions evasion,
00:04:10its avoidance of international financial controls and the flow
00:04:14of dual use goods to the uh Russian
00:04:17defense sector. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on how the
00:04:21US can work with the Cursic Republic to
00:04:24of address these issues. Thank you all for being here today and again thank you to you
00:04:28of and your families with that. I will yield to the distinguish ranking member
00:04:32senator. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and congratulations each of
00:04:36our nominees today. Welcome to all of your families and supporters who are here
00:04:40today. Um, like the chairman, I want to begin with the Western
00:04:43Balkans, because more than 30 years ago, the United States
00:04:47helped end the war in Bosnia-Herzegovina. That war
00:04:51included the Schreberniza genocide, where more than
00:04:548,00 Bosniac men and boys were murdered under the direction
00:04:58of
00:05:00a of Radko Maladic. The Dayton Peace agreement has kept the region from returning to that
00:05:03violence, but that peace cannot be taken for
00:05:07granted. Political leaders continue to challenge Bosnia and
00:05:10Herzegovina's territorial integrity.
00:06:12glorification of Maladic last week, the state department
00:06:16was silent. the department has also recently stopped
00:06:19callingita a genocide, which is department
00:06:23departure from longstanding us policy and the position of
00:06:27congress. the United States helped bring peace to
00:06:31Bosnia. We cannot afford to send mixed signals about
00:06:34whether we will defend it. Our ambassadors in Belgrade and
00:06:38Sarajevo must be prepared to speak clearly.
00:06:42Schrebernizza was a genocide, I've been there, I saw it,
00:06:46I've talked to survivors, I know how many people were
00:06:50murdered in Shrebernizza, and who was
00:06:52responsible? Bosnia and Herzegovina's sovereignty and
00:06:56territorial integrity must be respected, and the United
00:07:00States must oppose efforts to destabilize the region and
00:07:04undermine its democratic
00:07:05institutions.
00:07:10Now, that brings me to our nominee. Mr. Young, you've
00:07:14been nominated to be ambassador to Serbia, if confirmed, you will
00:07:18arrive a time of political transition and growing concerns about
00:07:22Serbia's democratic trajectory and its ties with
00:07:25Russia. I hope you will speak to how you will support
00:07:29democratic institutions there, how you will counter Russian
00:07:32influence, and how you will help advance Serbia's path toward
00:07:36Europe. Mr. Johnson, you've been nominated to be
00:07:39ambassador, ambassador to Bosnia. I'm
00:07:43pleased to see that during your marine core service you spent some time at the
00:07:47Portsmuth naval shipyard, that means we consider you an honorary
00:07:51New Hampshire citizen, but like
00:07:55Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina is heading into consequential
00:07:58elections amid deep political divisions. I hope you'll
00:08:02speak to how you will defend the Dayton Agreement and Bosnia's sovereignty and
00:08:06territorial integrity, and how you will use the mandatory
00:08:10sanctions authorities that. enacted in the FY
00:08:142026 National Defense Authorization Act to hold
00:08:18bad actors accountable.
00:08:22You have been nominated to be ambassador at large for the Arctic.
00:08:26Hopefully I'm pronouncing your name correctly. Russia
00:08:28is expanding its military presence in the
00:08:30Arctic while China is seeking a greater role
00:08:34there. If confirmed, I hope you will work with our artic allies to
00:08:38protect US security and economic interests in the
00:08:40region. And I'm pleased that our next two nominees
00:08:44are career foreign service officers. Mr. Gillen, you've been nominated
00:08:48to be ambassador to the Republic of
00:08:51Kyrgizstan. Kyrgizstan faces growing pressure
00:08:55from Russia and China as well as serious concerns about democratic
00:08:58backsliding. I hope you will speak to how you will strengthen US
00:09:02ties while pressing for sanctions,
00:09:05compliance and respect for democratic institutions. And
00:09:09finally, Miss Patel, you've been nominated to be ambassador. Cabo
00:09:12Verde, Cabo Verde also has important ties to New
00:09:16Hampshire, so we would consider you an official an honorary granite stator
00:09:20as well, our National Guards State Partnership program is with
00:09:24Kaboverde. We also have cooperation on
00:09:28aviation training and countering transnational crime
00:09:32with that country. So I look forward to hearing
00:09:35your statement as well and to the opportunity to
00:09:39engage with questions with all of you. Thank you.
00:09:44Thank you, Senator Shaheen. We'll do a couple of
00:09:47introductions first and then we'll turn to each of you to give a statement,
00:09:51and when I do that uh, I will start
00:09:54with Mr. You, Mr. Young on the end, we'll just go that way so that you know
00:09:58where you're going to be uh in line. Uh, Senator
00:10:02Lee, I understand you have something for us. Thank you, Mr.
00:10:06Chairman, and thanks to our nominees for being here today. Uh, I'm
00:10:10going to be honest, this is one the hardest introductions. I will have ever given, for
00:10:14the simple reason that the individual I'm I'm introducing is so qualified, it's
00:10:17going to be hard to get through his qualifications, and have you not think that I'm severely exaggerating,
00:10:21it's going to sound like an exaggeration, it's not, this is a...
00:10:25Mike young uh is icon academia, in
00:10:29the law, in the area of foreign relations in so many different ways,
00:10:33one of my favorite, one
00:10:34of my many favorite things about him, addition to be family man, the father of
00:10:38four, a grandfather to many, uh,
00:10:42he's also tied to my alma motor Byu, he's a fellow BYU
00:10:46Cooger, and he's been nominated to be our next ambassador to Serbia, he's
00:10:50got extensive experience in the law, generally, including and especially in
00:10:54international law, "he's also got
00:10:57unbelievably impressive resume when it comes to academia and
00:11:01diplomacy, I can't think of anybody more well qualified for this than Mr.
00:11:05Young. He's a lifelong public servant,
00:11:09following his undergraduate studies at B U and law
00:11:13school at at Harvard Law School, he he tells
00:11:17me that it's accredited, I hadn't heard of it before, but he served as a
00:11:21law clerk to the honorable Benjamin Caplin."
00:11:25on the Supreme Judicial Court the State of Massachusetts, and
00:11:28then as a law clear to then associate justice
00:11:32later chief justice William H Renquist at the US Supreme
00:11:36Court. He later joined the Reagan
00:11:38administration in the state department as the deputy
00:11:42legal advisor. During the George W.W. Bush administration he
00:11:46serves the deputy under secretary for cultural and Economic Affairs and then his
00:11:50ambassador for trade and environmental affairs. Over the
00:11:54course of his 10. at the state department, he assisted on diplomatic
00:11:58issues ranging from German reunification and NAFTA to the World
00:12:02Trade Organization, really light duty stuff of
00:12:04course.
00:12:06In addition to his more hands-on work in diplomacy, Mr. Young
00:12:09has long served as a thinker,
00:12:11as a professor, as a high-level
00:12:14administrator. He taught at Columbia law school and George Washington
00:12:18University, where he also served his dean. He eventually returned to our
00:12:22great state, Utah, and he became the president the. university of Utah, the did
00:12:26outstanding work there, during his 10 year at the University of Utah he expanded
00:12:30the school's evergowing reputation as center for research
00:12:34and entrepreneurship, making it the nation's top
00:12:37university for companies generated from university
00:12:41research, that trend by the way, now continues uh decades
00:12:45after his service in Utah came to an end, he's
00:12:49also served as the president the University of Washington
00:12:52and at Texas A&M University. very few people
00:12:56have left such a deep mark on as
00:13:00many uh top notch universities as Mr. Young. But
00:13:04top of all this, he served for eight years as a member
00:13:07the US commission on international and religious
00:13:11freedom. Look, this successful career of his has been
00:13:15nothing short of extraordinary,
00:13:18and I'm not entirely convinced that he's not
00:13:22frozen in time or sophisticated automaton. uh from a future
00:13:26era because he doesn't seem to age and he never grows dull, but addition to all
00:13:29this, um, he's a delightful human being i, it got
00:13:33into his family over the years, his friend stew is dear friend of
00:13:36mine, uh, these apples uh, none them fell far
00:13:40from the tree, so anyway, like I said, it's going to sound like an exaggeration,
00:13:44I'm actually underdoing it, I'm confident that uh, he's going to be an extraordinary
00:13:48ambassador and a great advocate for the United States in Serbia a
00:13:51whole host of issues, so I urged my colleagues to join me and
00:13:58thank you supporting senator,
00:13:59m. we appreciate that, and you're right, that
00:14:01is incredible
00:14:04resume. uh, senator Scott, you have something for us,
00:14:08well, like Senator Lee, I have the opportunity to introduce an
00:14:11overachiever, so Dr. Julia Neswatt has a president's
00:14:14nominee to be ambassador at large for Arctic Affairs, so anybody that knows
00:14:18her husband, any good decision he made, Julia made the decision
00:14:22of his, all the bad ones. he miked it on all by
00:14:26himself. is a great floridian and dedicated patriot who
00:14:30has spent her career server in our country. she has an impressive
00:14:33background, army intelligence officer, served in combat in
00:14:37Iraq and Afghanistan, earned a bronze star for heroic
00:14:41service. after retiring honorably from the army, she has served
00:14:44across three presidential administrations, democrat and republican. she helped
00:14:48establish the office the director of national intelligence, and she has served in leadership roles at the
00:14:52state department focused on energy and hostage. she was the
00:14:56first chief resilience officer for my great of florida, there she led
00:15:00efforts to protect infrastructure and florida economy in the face of natural
00:15:03disasters. she served as a homeland security advisor to president trump during his
00:15:07first term and coordinated critical national security policy across the
00:15:11government. her work is a commissioner on the
00:15:14US arctic research commission makes sure the expert we need to
00:15:17lead as ambassador
00:15:19at large for arctic affairs. the arctic, as we all know, is critical to
00:15:22America's future security and prosperity and as region continues to reveal more
00:15:26natural resources and open up more shipping routes, it strategic and
00:15:30economic value are unquestestionable. our enemies clearly see it that
00:15:34way. China and Russia have made huge investments in Arctic. exploration
00:15:38and dominance, even working together on various projects and operations
00:15:41in the region, just like with seapower, space dominance, cyber security and AI
00:15:45development, this is another arena which we cannot afford to
00:15:48lose, that's why we need Julia in this job, her
00:15:52extensive national security experience is exactly what America needs to defend
00:15:56American interest in the Arctic, region where our vital national security
00:15:59interests are at stake and where her adversaries are already heavily
00:16:03invested, she is way more than qualified for the job, she will fight
00:16:06for American. policy in the artic and that she has vision that will great that will
00:16:10our great country, our interest, will put our great country, our interest and our people
00:16:14first. I fully endorse her fitness for this office and humbly ask that
00:16:18this committee support her with vote to advance her confirmation.
00:16:22I'll back. Thank you very much, senator Scott, we
00:16:26appreciate that, and appreciate the introduction. So with
00:16:29that, Mr. Young, will start with you, and you
00:16:33have five minutes there abouts,
00:16:37chairman. Thank you very much, ranking member Shahin,
00:16:40and distinguished members of this committee, it's an honor to appear before you
00:16:44today as President Trump's nominee to be the ambassador to the Republic of
00:16:48Serbia, but let me also thank my dear friend
00:16:52Senator Lee for that introduction, overly kind, but I
00:16:56hope uh that I can earn the
00:16:59trust that is reflected in that introduction. I'm deeply
00:17:03grateful for the confidence and trust President Trump and Secretary Rubio have
00:17:06placed in. me is Thomas Jefferson, himself,
00:17:10distinguished ambassador, once noted, the greatest honor a
00:17:14citizen is to serve his country, but to represent her before the
00:17:18world is sacred trust. If confirmed, I pledge to honor that
00:17:21trust and work closely with this committee and with Congress, to protect
00:17:25and promote US interests in Serbia, to advance American
00:17:29priorities, and to build a bilateral relationship that
00:17:32contributes to safer, stronger and more prosperous United
00:17:36States. Service to our great nation and
00:17:40to the American people has been deeply ingrained in my family for generations
00:17:43and it's been the greatest privilege and honor of our life. Both my
00:17:47parents served in the military in World War II, my father was in the
00:17:51infantry and served in some the most difficult battles in Europe,
00:17:55including the battle the bulge. My mother served in the women's
00:17:59air service patrol, transported bombers and trained
00:18:02pilots. My son Stewart has sits behind me today has served
00:18:06in the US court. and as assistant US attorney for almost two
00:18:10decades and now serves as the criminal deputy attorney
00:18:14attorney general for the great state of Utah. my daughter Katherine
00:18:18Owen who also sits behind
00:18:19me and her husband who is here with us today, both graduates the US Air
00:18:23Force Academy have collectively served all over the world for over three
00:18:27decades as officers in the US Air Force. I to have had the
00:18:31privilege of serving in all three branches of our government, and I am truly
00:18:35humbled and honored to be considered today for this particular position
00:18:39of tremendous responsibility and sacred trust, and have the
00:18:43privilege and opportunity to serve our great nation yet
00:18:46again. If confirmed, I will leave the team at the US
00:18:49Embassy, Belgrade to deepen our defense and security cooperation
00:18:53to advance US interest, to expand our trade and
00:18:57investment relationship to increase US prosperity, to
00:19:01foster regional stability and to continue to build a partnership with
00:19:04Serbia that better promotes our interest. in this strategically
00:19:08critical region, if confirmed, I will have no higher
00:19:12priority than the safety and security of embassy bailgrade personnel
00:19:15and US citizens in Serbia. I will continue to
00:19:19strengthen our bilateral engagement and deepen our business and
00:19:23economic ties, moving Serbia towards energy
00:19:27independence and improved energy infrastructure. I will
00:19:30encourage Serbia embrace a political and economic future that
00:19:34benefits the United States, not competitors. such as Russia and
00:19:38China. There's great potential for US companies in Serbia and
00:19:42deeper economic ties with the US, that's very much in our
00:19:46and Serbia's interest. I will
00:19:48work to ensure a favorable business climate and level playing field in which
00:19:51American businesses can compete and on which they will
00:19:55win.
00:19:56I will prioritize deepening our security and defense cooperation with
00:20:00Serbia, building upon the already strong ties Serbia has formed with the
00:20:04Ohio national guard as part the state partnership.
00:20:07program over the past 20 years, that's cornerstone of
00:20:11our bilateral security ties with Serbia.
00:20:15I will ensure US industry is well positioned to meet Serbia's
00:20:19growing interest in meeting its defense needs with US equipment and
00:20:23in cooperation with US defense industry. If confirmed, I
00:20:27will partner with government of Serbia to counter global threats and
00:20:31support our mutual priorities and interests. I will encourage Serbia
00:20:35to promote security, stability and prosperity.
00:20:50Herzegovina, as we seek to uphold the peace brought by the
00:20:53Dayton Peace Accords. Finally, if I'm afforded the great
00:20:57privilege and opportunity to serve as the US ambassador to the
00:21:01Republic of Serbia, I will engage Serbian audiences to
00:21:04strengthen our partnership through public diplomacy, strategic
00:21:08communications and people to people ties ahead the great
00:21:11opportunity that Expo 2027 in Belgrade presents
00:21:15us. I thank the chair and the ranking member for the
00:21:19opportunity. and the privilege to be here today, and I look forward to your
00:21:22questions. Thank you, Mr. Young, Mr. Johnson,
00:21:26svaka
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00:22:49Thank you, Mr. Chairman. chairman ris, ranking member shahen, members of
00:22:53committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear for you today as President
00:22:57Trump's nominee to be the US ambassador to Bosnia
00:23:00Herzegovina. I am grateful to President Trump, Secretary Rubio
00:23:04for the confidence in me, and I appreciate the committee's consideration of my
00:23:08nomination. I am deeply honored and privileged to be the president's
00:23:11nominee to serve as United States ambassador of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
00:23:15Throughout my career and in the years since my retirement, I've
00:23:19continued to... work extensively overseas as a consultant and an
00:23:22advisor, engaging directly with foreign governments, senior military and
00:23:26civilian leadership across diverse countries and complex
00:23:29environments. those experiences have taught me the importance of
00:23:33strong relationships, candid communications, respect for our partners
00:23:37and clear understanding of America's interests and responsibilities
00:23:41abroad. I recognize the Bosnia and Herzegovina
00:23:44present complex and eduring challenges, but I believe my experience,
00:23:48leadership background and understanding the region have prepared me to address those
00:23:52challenges with determination and sound judgment. if
00:23:55confirmed, our work to protect US citizens advanced American interest
00:23:59in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I look forward to working with Congress
00:24:03and support of President Trump's American first foreign policy
00:24:07agenda. The United States remains committed to the sovereignty and
00:24:11territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as the peace that
00:24:15was brought by the Dayton Peace Agreement. Dayton ended a
00:24:18devastating conflict in the heart. Europe and laid the foundations for
00:24:22three decades of stability and progress. Today the United States
00:24:25seeks a stable, secure and prosperous Bosnia and
00:24:29Hercegovina. This is a constructive partner the United
00:24:33States. If confirmed, I will work to
00:24:37preserve the stability and encourage the responsible leadership across all of Bosnia and
00:24:40Herzegovina. With elections fast approaching and political
00:24:44leaders focus on the responsible governance and deliver
00:24:48tangible results for the cit. since of Bosnia and Herzegovina. I'll engage
00:24:52broadly and consistently with all communities across the
00:24:56political spectrum to reduce tensions.
00:24:59Discourage escalation, maintain stability, which we will create the
00:25:03conditions for conduce to better future for all. 30 years
00:25:07after Dayton, Bosnia and Herzegovina's future should
00:25:11increasingly be shaped by their own leaders and institutions.
00:25:14If confirmed, encourage pragmatic, locally
00:25:18driven solutions. political and economic challenges and support
00:25:22efforts to strengthen the cooperation among Bosnia and Herzegovina's
00:25:26various communities. The United States can play an important role as a
00:25:30partner and facilitator, helping create conditions for a long-term
00:25:33peace and prosperity while empowering local leaders to take greater
00:25:37responsibility for their country's future. If
00:25:40confirmed, I will prioritize expanding economic and commercial
00:25:44cooperation between the United States and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
00:25:48Greater trade, investment. and energy cooperation can create
00:25:52opportunities for American businesses while supporting
00:25:55economic growth and prosperity in Bosnia and
00:25:58Herzegovina. I'll work to advance the energy security.
00:26:02expanding US exports and promote a business environment that
00:26:06welcomes American investment in critical sectors. The United
00:26:10States committed to promoting stability and prosperity in the
00:26:13region. If confirmed, I'll work with Bosnia and Herzegovina and
00:26:17our partners to limit the opportunities for money influence from both
00:26:20Russia and China. I'll work with counterparts to the great transnational
00:26:24criminal organizations and other malian actors that exploit
00:26:28political, economic, security vulnerabilities. A stable and
00:26:32prosper. for Bosnia and Herzegovina is in the interest of both the United States
00:26:35and the people the Bosnia and Herzegovina. Genman
00:26:39Risk, ranking member Shahen and members the committee, thank you for
00:26:43consideration and have confirmed, I'll work diligently to advance
00:26:46American interest, protect the US citizens and strengthen our partnership
00:26:50with Bosnia and Hercegovia. I look forward to your questions. Thank
00:26:54you. Thank you, Mr. Johnson, Miss Neswa,
00:26:58the floor is yours.
00:27:01Chairman Rish. ranking member, shahin and distinguished members the
00:27:05committee, thank you for the opportunity to be to appear before you
00:27:09today as President Trump's nominee to be the US Arctic
00:27:12ambassador at large. I'm grateful to President Trump and
00:27:16Secretary Rubio for their confidence in me and I appreciate the committee's
00:27:20consideration of my nomination. I'm joined today by
00:27:24my husband Mike, sister Dina, Stepdaughter Anderson, dear friend
00:27:28Michelle, former hostage Jiju Wang and his who was freeed
00:27:31from Around. after being held prisoner for 3 years and his
00:27:35wife. I'm also joined by fellow veterans who I served with in
00:27:39Iraq and Afghanistan, lieutenant colonel retired lagia
00:27:42Zarudo as well as Goldstar spouse who lost her husband in
00:27:46Afghanistan, Jane
00:27:47Horton.
00:27:52I am the daughter of first generation Jordanian Christian
00:27:55immigrants. Thank you, sorry, I'm getting a little emotional
00:27:58here. Ben and Neshut.
00:28:02They worked. and raised five children in rural Florida on faith,
00:28:06education and service. My widowed mother, nurse, held our
00:28:10family together. She taught us that America does not owe anyone
00:28:13easy path, but rewards grit, dedication, and a willingness to
00:28:17serve. That lesson took me from a small Florida
00:28:21town in the United States Army. After September 11th, I served
00:28:25as a military intelligence officer, deployed in support of Operation
00:28:29Enduring Freedom and Iraqi freedom. I served across three
00:28:33administrations, beginning with helping to establish the office the director of national
00:28:37intelligence. At the state department, I served as deputy assistant secretary
00:28:41of state for energy resources and later as deputy and acting special
00:28:44presidential envoy for hostage affairs. I later became
00:28:48Florida's first chief resilience officer. I was then appointed the 10th Homeland
00:28:52Security Advisor to the President, where I was responsible for the Arctic,
00:28:56coordinating our national strategy for the region, working closely with the US
00:29:00coast guard and Navy to build our. fleet and
00:29:03chairing national security council meetings on closing our ice breaker
00:29:07gap. later served as a commissioner on the US arctic research
00:29:11commission. so the arctic has entered new
00:29:15strategic error, what was once seen as remote is now where homeland
00:29:18defense, alliance security, economic opportunity and
00:29:22strategic competition converge.
00:29:26secretary rubio has said it plainly, the United States is an
00:29:29Arctic nation. we will remain focused on the arctic
00:29:33and arctic security must be regular part
00:29:36of our engagements, including in
00:29:38NATO. Our interests extend far beyond
00:29:42Alaska. The region is central to the defense the
00:29:45homeland, the security the North Atlantic, trusted
00:29:49supply chains, energy, minerals and the alliances that have
00:29:53long advanced American interests.
00:29:55It is also the frontier for American innovation. The high north
00:29:59is not only ice and shipping lanes,
00:30:02it is space awareness and missile warning from northern latitudes, it is
00:30:06under sea cables, communications and the data that moves across
00:30:10them.
00:30:10it is whether the next generation of energy, computing, artificial
00:30:14intelligence is powered and connected by trusted American
00:30:18and allied systems, or by infrastructure built under the influence of
00:30:22our competitors. cold climates and energy
00:30:26potential can support advanced computing and data centers. polar
00:30:29orbits and arctic ground stations already matter for. space
00:30:32operations, if the United States does not lead in these areas,
00:30:36others will treat them as openings. rapidly changing
00:30:40arctic and longer periods of open water are changing the operating
00:30:44environment faster than our institutions have adapted. longer periods
00:30:48of open water may create opportunities for maritime activity and
00:30:52american energy exports. they also stress the
00:30:55roads, ports, airfields, fuel systems and networks that
00:30:59enable military.