U.S. Ambassador to Norway Kenneth Braithwaite believes that the United States is in strategic competition for global influence with China and Russia.
U.S. Ambassador to Norway Kenneth Braithwaite said that he was on the submarine of the Norwegian Navy, when the latter followed the activities of Russian submarines in the Arctic. This is stated in Braithwaite’s written answers to questions from legislators of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee published on Thursday. On Thursday, the committee held hearings to consider the candidacy of 60-year-old Braithwaite for Secretary of the Navy. Trump nominated him for the position in late February.
“Underwater fighting is becoming increasingly difficult as our enemies continue to improve their platforms. I have seen this throughout my tenure as U.S. Ambassador to Norway,” said Braithwaite. According to the diplomat and retired Rear Admiral, he was “aboard a Norwegian submarine,” whose mission was to “identify and maintain awareness of the movement of Russian submarines in the Arctic region. He claimed to be “in close cooperation with the Norwegian Navy.
According to Braithwaite, “the United States is in strategic competition for global influence with China and Russia. “Competition between great powers is a defining national security challenge of our time, and it will require a forward-based naval force that can compete, deter and, if necessary, defeat adversaries,” the ambassador said.
He believes the Arctic is “a strategically important disputed territory. Braithwaite “focused on Arctic-related issues as the region becomes increasingly important for security and protection,” according to the U.S., which “seeks to develop an even deeper cooperative effort with the Norwegian government. He said he “has developed a closer working relationship with the Norwegian Ministry of Defense.
The Secretary of the Navy is a civilian position at the Pentagon. His responsibilities include the daily life of the Navy, purchasing equipment, and financing programs and projects.