December 15th, 2021
1pm – 2pm AKT
Alaska continues to play a crucial role in protecting U.S. national security. As the Arctic continues to melt, the region is becoming a breeding ground for strategic competition and adversarial action. Leaders on all levels need to work together to both mitigate and adapt against the risks climate change poses to Alaska.
Join the Alaskan Municipal League and the American Security Project for a discussion on the impacts climate change is having in Alaska, the ramifications it has on U.S. national security, and potential regional solutions. Executive Director of the Alaskan Municipal League Nils Andreassen will be joined by ASP President Brigadier General Stephen Cheney, USMC (Ret) for a one on one conversation.
About the Speakers
Nils Andreassen is the Executive Director of the Alaskan Municipal League, a voluntary, nonprofit, nonpartisan, statewide organization representing the unified voice of Alaska’s local governments to successfully influence state and federal decision making. Nils has a degree in Peace and Development from the University of Bradford in England with an extensive background in rural and international development, Alaska, and Arctic policy issues. Nils is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Governance and Entrepreneurship in Northern and Indigenous Areas through the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Tromso. Nils lives in Juneau with his family.
BGen Stephen Cheney, USMC (Ret) is the President of the American Security Project. He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and has over 30 years experience as a Marine. His career included a wide variety of command and staff positions with the operating forces and the supporting establishment. Gen. Cheney’s primary specialty was artillery, but he focused extensively on entry-level training, commanding at every echelon at both Marine Corps Recruit Depots, to include being the Commanding General at Parris Island. He served several years in Japan and has traveled extensively throughout the Middle East and Asia.
Other selected highlights of Gen. Cheney’s military career include tours as Deputy Executive Secretary to Defense Secretaries Cheney and Aspin; ground plans officer for Drug Enforcement Policy in the Pentagon; liaison to the Congressional Commission on Roles and Missions of the Armed Forces; and Inspector General of the Marine Corps.
Following retirement from the Marines, Gen. Cheney became the Chief Operating Officer for Business Executives for National Security (BENS), in Washington, D.C., and most recently was President/CEO of the Marine Military Academy in Harlingen, Texas.
Gen. Cheney is a graduate of the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, the National War College, and the University of Southern California. He was a military fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York City, where he is a member. Additionally, he was also a member of the Secretary of State’s International Security Advisory Board and the Department of State’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board.
General Cheney has appeared on CNN, Fox, BBC, NPR, and Sky news, and many other stations worldwide discussing the national security implications of climate change and energy security. His television and public appearances include being on a panel with Vice President Al Gore on his 24 hours of Reality program; on AMHQ at The Weather Channel with Sam Champion; and on stage for Climate Week in New York City with Prime Minister Tony Blair, Richard Branson, and Secretary of State John Kerry. He has been quoted and had articles in Politico, Foreign Affairs, and The New York Times. In 2015 he was recognized by The Weather Channel as a member of the Climate 25 for his leadership in identifying climate change as a national and global security issue. He has spoken at the Chatham House in London, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and in over a dozen cities around the world on this topic. His most recent testimony (2017) was on energy security, climate change, and cyber in front of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources; the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology; and the EPA.
Gen. Cheney has been on the Board of Directors for ASP since 2006, and served as ASP’s CEO from 2011-2019.
