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Boston Globe
a day ago
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Trump and Putin may get a cold reception from some Alaskans
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up 'Alaska boosters have been pushing for Alaska as an international gateway for basically since statehood,' said Ramseur, who wrote the book 'Melting the Ice Curtain: The Extraordinary Story of Citizen Diplomacy on the Russia-Alaska Frontier.' 'So in that sense, it's good for Alaska. Puts us on the map for a couple of hours.' Advertisement Alaska has deep ties to Russian history and culture, dating back to when the Russian Empire first colonized the region in the 18th century. Since the United States purchased the land in 1867, Russian-speaking communities have stayed in the state, and Russian Orthodox Churches, with their distinct onion-shaped domes, can be found from the remote Aleutian Islands to Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. Advertisement 'Russian culture and Russian history is sort of baked into Alaska,' said Brandon Boylan, a professor at the University of Alaska Fairbanks who has researched Alaska's role in US-Russia relations. 'There's a lot of remnants of the Russian American legacy.' After the end of the Cold War — when Alaska served as a front line of missile defense against the Soviet Union — the state became the center of efforts to deepen ties between the United States and the new Russian Federation, Boylan said. But the outbreak of war in Ukraine reversed that thaw in relations, he said. While remarks by Russian political figures about taking back their former American territory have largely 'fallen flat,' the war in Ukraine has still alarmed Alaskans and soured feelings toward their western neighbor, Boylan said. 'If tensions heat up between the US and Russia, I think we're going to feel it most acutely in Alaska again,' he said. With the rise of Putin in the early 2000s, business partnerships and academic collaboration began to falter, Ramseur said, but tension took hold more deeply with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The Anchorage Assembly suspended its decades-old 'sister city' relationship with the Siberian city of Magadan the following year, saying it could not 'turn a blind eye to the actions of the Russian government.' But Juneau, the state's capital, voted to continue a similar relationship with Vladivostok. Alaska's position at the junction of Asia and North America has long made it a strategic site for diplomacy, Boylan said. Most recently, the Biden administration conducted high-level talks with China at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage in 2021. The White House has not confirmed exactly where the meeting will take place. But Larry Disbrow, a realtor who operates short-term rentals in Anchorage and who is also an honorary consul of Germany, said he has rented a six-bedroom property to the Secret Service for the meeting. Advertisement 'The US Secret Service contacted me earlier today, and they asked me if I might have availability of any of my places, and I did for the window that they needed,' said Disbrow, who goes by Beau. He added: 'I could see why Alaska might be an attractive place for something like this, you know, from a historical perspective. But it surprised me, for sure.' Suzanne LaFrance, Anchorage's mayor, said in an interview Saturday that she hadn't received any indication whether her city would host the meeting between Trump and Putin. 'Hosting leaders is not unusual for us here in Alaska,' LaFrance said. 'Serving as a place for diplomacy is part of our history, as we are that crossroads of the world.' Russian influences are prevalent in Anchorage, where a small grocery store chain sells Russian food, and a downtown restaurant, popular with late-night diners, specializes in pelmeni, or Russian dumplings. Trump has visited Alaska at least five times since he first took office in 2017, mostly for stops at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Anchorage. The meeting with Putin will make this Trump's first official trip to the state since the start of his second term. The state's congressional delegation and governor, all Republicans, publicly welcomed the selection of their state for the meeting between Trump and Putin. 'For centuries, Alaska has been a bridge between nations, and today, we remain a gateway for diplomacy, commerce and security in one of the most critical regions on earth,' Governor Mike Dunleavy posted on social platform X on Friday. Advertisement Senator Lisa Murkowski, Republican of Alaska, said that while she remained 'deeply wary of Putin and his regime,' she hoped the talks would help end the war in Ukraine on equitable terms. Eric Croft, chair of the Alaska Democratic Party, said the meeting highlighted Trump's failure to fulfill his campaign pledge of ending the war on the first day of his administration. 'We'd love the war in Gaza and Ukraine to be resolved, and stop killing civilians,' Croft said in an interview Saturday. 'I think most Alaskans are more worried about inflation and cuts to Medicaid and cuts to public radio, but we'll entertain them if they need it.' This article originally appeared in
Bloomberg
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Bloomberg
It's Xi Jinping's World, and Trump Is Just Living in It
Weekend Essay As Donald Trump blows up the rules-based order, China is pulling ahead in the global battle for ideas. On a frigid Alaskan day in March 2021, shortly after Joe Biden took office, top US and Chinese diplomats gathered at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage for a meeting that quickly went off the rails. Such gatherings usually follow a script: Journalists are let into the room, both sides make a few banal opening comments, and then they get down to business once the cameras are gone. In this case, they engaged in a 71-minute sparring match over the international order, drawn out as translators tried to accurately convey the blunt messaging amid stony, awkward stares by both sides.
Los Angeles Times
28-01-2025
- Los Angeles Times
Exploring Alaska – The Land of Endless Beauty
Imagine a night sky in a kaleidoscope of color. Set yourself in a scene where the wilderness stretches as far as the eye can see, untouched and pristine. It's not the setting of a high fantasy novel – it's Alaska, the 'Last Frontier,' a destination that beckons the discerning traveler with its blend of breathtaking landscapes, luxurious accommodations and a rich tapestry of cultural history. And, while the scenery may be wild, the journey can be anything but, as the travelers looking to experience opulence will find Alaska a hidden jewel. As one steps onto this vast land, with the air crisp and refreshing, the journey begins with Alaska's crown jewels-its national parks. Denali National Park, with its towering namesake, known to the locals and the globe as Denali, is a testimony to the awesomely powerful forces of nature. The park spans 6 million acres in total and offers visitors a chance to see the the 'Big Five' of Alaska's wild animals: moose, grizzly bears, gray wolves, Dall sheep and caribou. The pure beauty of this park beckons like a siren to people in search of adventure in pristine, protected wilderness. Venture further, and the serene majesty of Glacier Bay National Park awaits. Here, aboard a luxury cruise, witness the grandeur of glaciers calving: a spectacle where huge chunks of glacial ice cascade into the water below. It's a performance millions of years in the making, as the glaciers continue their geologically slow mach to the water's edge. Not far from the urban clutches of Anchorage, Kenai Fjords National Park gives a view into the heart of Alaska's glacial landscape. The Exit Glacier, accessible via the enchanting Kenai River Trail, presents an unforgettable hike within the park's frozen wonders. The Chena Hot Springs are the epitome of an experience filled with relaxation and warmth. Just a stone's throw away from Fairbanks, these natural springs offer a sanctuary of comfort where their mineral-rich waters act as a balm for the soul, inviting visitors to unwind under the ethereal glow of the Northern Lights. This wilderness crossing across Alaska is complemented by stays in some of the most exquisite lodges and resorts that the state can offer. Alyeska Resort, lying near Anchorage, is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy ski slopes and mountain trails. Near the heart of Denali, Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge stands as a monument to rustic luxury, with its views of Denali unparalleled. In the heart of Anchorage, the storied Hotel Captain Cook provides a gateway to urban exploration, its halls echoing with tales of seafaring adventures. Meanwhile, the Borealis Basecamp, just outside of Fairbanks, offers a unique stay in modern igloos, where the night sky's spectacle unfolds before your eyes. Chena Hot Springs Resort is set beside the namesake springs, promising relaxation and exploration. From here, visitors can venture out to seek enlightenment and zen, from the enchanting Aurora Ice Museum to the warmth of the springs themselves. As rich and varied as Alaska's landscapes is its culinary world. The bounty of the sea is yours to taste, with Alaskan King Crab, salmon, halibut and scallops that give a glimpse into the ocean's splendor. Venture beyond the ordinary with wild game, such as the unique flavor of reindeer sausage – it's a local delicacy. The art of brewing is very much alive in Alaska, with local beermakers offering a range of delicious concoctions that capture the spirit of the wild. And for those with a sweet tooth, the state's bakeries serve up delights such as salmon jerky, berry-filled pastries and the iconic Baked Alaska – a decadent nod to the state's culinary heritage. -AJ Moutra
