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This military base, situated in Anchorage, is home to thousands of service members and their families. With its challenging weather conditions—cold, dark winters and near-24-hour sunlight in summer—it serves as an ideal refueling point for dignitaries traveling long distances by air.
Before the summit, Alaska’s strategic position has made it increasingly valuable to U.S. military efforts. Its proximity to Russia and China’s interest in Arctic resources have led to increased personnel and funding for Alaskan bases. These installations host some of the military’s most advanced exercises, including those featuring sophisticated weaponry like the F-22 fighter.
Alaska is a land of superlatives: it’s more than twice the size of Texas, has over 46,000 miles of coastline, and its highest peak, Denali, towers at over 20,000 feet. Wildlife such as brown bears, black bears, moose, and wolves roam through tundra and forests.
However, Alaska’s remote location has also exposed vulnerabilities. In recent years, suicide rates among soldiers spiked due to a shortage of mental health personnel. The Army and Congress intervened, but efforts to prevent espionage by Chinese spies continue. Global warming poses additional challenges, including thawing permafrost and rising sea levels damaging coastal facilities.
Putin chose Alaska for the summit because his invasion of Ukraine has made him an international pariah. Anchorage offers a neutral ground far from Russia’s war with Ukraine. The meeting will take place at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, which is well-suited as a midway point for dignitaries traveling between Washington and eastern Asia.
