Please join us for a rich half-day discussion on the geostrategic and geo-economic future of the Arctic. In a moderated “exit interview,” the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, will discuss his active public advocacy for and interagency pursuit of securing greater U.S. capabilities and readiness for a rapidly changing Arctic, as well as offer some thoughts on the overall trajectory of the Coast Guard’s future mission in the polar regions. Subsequent panels will closely examine Russia’s future economic and security ambitions in the Arctic as well as address the key drivers of future economic growth and the forces that are shaping these new economic dynamics. Agenda 8:15 a.m. - Registration and Coffee 8:45 a.m. - Keynote Address: The Exit Interview Admiral Paul F. Zukunft, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard 9:15 a.m. - Panel I: The Arctic Superpower: Factors Shaping Russia's Arctic Policy Dr. Marlene Laruelle, Research Professor of International Affairs, Elliott School of International Affairs, George Washington University Dr. Julie Wilhelmsen, Senior Research Fellow, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) Dr. Pavel K. Baev, Research Professor, the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO) Moderated by: Ms. Heather A. Conley, Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia, and the Arctic; Director, Stuart Center, CSIS 10:30 a.m. - Coffee Break 10:45 a.m. - Panel II: The Polar Silk Road, the Blue Economy, and Other Arctic Drivers Dr. Jakub M. Godzimirski, Research Professor, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) Dr. Anne-Marie Brady, Professor, University of Canterbury (via VTC) Mr. Tero Vauraste, President and CEO, Arctia Ltd.; Chair, Arctic Economic Council Ms. Kristina Wolston, Vice President, External Relations, Quintillion Moderated by: Ms. Heather A. Conley, Senior Vice President for Europe, Eurasia, and the Arctic; Director, Stuart Center, CSIS 12:00 p.m. -  Event Concludes This conversation is made possible by support from The Research Council of Norway.