The Tech Policy Institute was proud to convene the panel Soft Power, Hard Questions: Debates in Arctic Science and Technology Cooperation at the Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavik. We would like to thank Dr. Karl Attard, Dr. Gregory Falco, and Professor Caroline Kennedy-Pipe for their thoughtful contributions to a wide-ranging and forward-looking discussion.

Our session, led by Executive Director Dr. James Patton Rogers, formed part of a growing set of panels grappling with the security implications of Arctic research in an era of intensifying great power competition. Across the Assembly, experts raised critical questions surrounding defence cooperation, meaningful scientific collaboration, technological dependencies, and geopolitical tensions.

We were especially pleased to hear perspectives from Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, Chair of the NATO Military Committee, alongside Icelandic policymakers and partners who highlighted emerging regional concerns around critical infrastructure resilience, emergency response capacity, and national security.

TPI’s work in this area continues through ongoing strategic simulations and a forthcoming multidisciplinary book project on Arctic security. President Guðni Th. Jóhannesson of Iceland will also join us in March 2026 as a prestigious Cornell Messenger Lecturer.

Read more here: https://www.publicpolicy.cornell.edu/btpi/research-hubs/geopolitics-and-technology/