All-female Senate delegation sets off for High North amid growing military tensions

An all-female, bipartisan delegation of U.S. senators is traveling to the Arctic on Friday to reaffirm America’s commitments to allies against the backdrop of escalating tensions in the High North. Led by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., and Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, the group will visit Canada, Greenland , Norway and Iceland to “examine U.S. and allied Arctic security, infrastructure and research capabilities amid growing geopolitical competition in the region from Russia and China,” according to a press release. The itinerary is set to include briefings at Pituffik Space Base in Greenland on Arctic defense and strategic competition in the region. President Donald Trump’s administration has sought to expand Washington’s strategic footprint in Greenland. Earlier this year, Trump suggested that U.S. forces could seize the semiautonomous Danish territory on national security grounds. His push elicited a sharp rebuke from officials in both Greenland and Denmark, with the latter rejecting any potential for negotiation or territorial acquisition. The episode also roiled relations between the Trump administration and traditional European allies more broadly. The all-female delegation that sets off on Friday is also expected to meet with U.S. military personnel, Indigenous communities, allied officials, Arctic researchers and regional leaders on emerging operational and strategic dynamics across the region. Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Catherine Cortez Masto of Nevada, and Maggie Hassan of New Hampshire make up the Democratic side of the delegation, while Sens. Cynthia Lummis of Wyoming, Katie Britt of Alabama, and Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi represent the GOP. About Tanya Noury Tanya Noury is a reporter for Military Times and Defense News, with coverage focusing on the White House and Pentagon. Share: In Other News US forces disable Iranian-flagged tankers trying to cross blockade This week, U.S. forces around the Strait of Hormuz have launched strikes against Iranian military facilities and disabled missiles launched by the IRGC. Golden Dome has ‘pathways to pivot’ if delays arise, general says Gen. Michael Guetlein, the appointed czar for America's “Golden Dome” initiative, told lawmakers that plans to build the shield were proceeding apace. US Air Force seeks $3.9 billion to boost KC-46 fleet The service also clarified plans for the size of its KC-46 fleet. 3 sailors injured after fire breaks out aboard USS Zumwalt A fire broke out aboard the guided-missile destroyer as it was stationed pierside at a Mississippi shipyard. US soldier charged with making $400,000 on Maduro removal bets Gannon Ken Van Dyke, a master sergeant with U.S. Army Special Forces, used sensitive classified information to make wagers on prediction market Polymarket. Load More .c-articleBody {--max-image-height: 50vh;}@media(min-width: 1024px) {.c-articleBody {--max-image-height: max(600px, 70vh);}}