Finland’s expertise within the Arctic region is very significant since they can act as a moderator between countries within the Arctic Council. Finland’s Arctic Policy also talks about the importance of climate change mitigation by actors within the Arctic region and the impact it has on sustainable development. Finland lastly seems to value the participation of Arctic States in addressing environmental challenges because these issues could threaten access to certain resources within the region as well as the area's overall security.

The Arctic States definitely need to achieve their agreements within the Declaration if they hope to achieve efficient environmental strategies.

The Ottawa Declaration can definitely help in building the relationship with Arctic States as well as the development of more effective environmental strategies.

I have not been exposed to much information about the Arctic region, but the Ottawa Declaration did give context to strategies that will help protect the region's environment. The treaty promotes a cooperative relationship between Arctic States to manage and defend communities, ecosystems, and maintain sustainable development within the region. Climate change is a problem that will continue to affect the region, so it is significant that there is a plan of action by the Arctic States so that that the environment can be preserved. The Ottawa Declaration leads to more interaction with the Arctic States which thus aids in the development of effective and efficient environmental protection strategies.

I agree that Americans need to be aware of how foreign election interference can impact our democracy.

It is significant that the US government addresses both foreign and domestic election interference. Election interference is a threat to the United States in general and the government should stay diligent with security efforts.

One of the most fundamental components of any democracy is ensuring free and fair elections. This article was very informative since there have been rumors of foreign election interference within the United States. Election interference is a threat to the United States, so it is significant that the Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security are using physical security and cybersecurity to defend against this interference. The US Government needs to keep addressing election interference issues so that the political system can be protected.

I agree that the inclusion of both short term and long term plans on the National Strategy for countering terrorism is important in protecting America's security.

I agree that increases in technology does help aid the government, but "it also does create more opportunities to terrorize".

Although domestic terrorism has existed within the United States for centuries, it is an issue that is "both persistent and evolving". With increases in technology, domestic terrorism must now be addressed by looking at "its historical roots as well as challenges with new technological innovations". Law Enforcement specifically has a difficult job in deterring domestic terrorism since oftentimes, lone actors are rapidly mobilizing to violence. Lone actors can mobilize to violence due to environmental beliefs, which makes it important to protect against domestic terrorism to safeguard Americans and the environment.

Cybersecurity plays an essential role in ensuring prosperity and economic and social development within a country. Although implementing technological advances can help the country develop, countries do need to be wary of cybersecurity attacks. Cyber attacks can come from anywhere and it has become a complicated issue with the growing number of cybercriminals/attacks that can threaten a countries security. It is nice to see New Zealand adopt strategies to prevent cyber-attacks, but the increase in attacks in the world in general displays the need to create strategies to combat the issue.

The article Annex II makes evident that the HKSAR formation of the legislative council has a lot of power. I am not very knowledgeable about this article, but I did find it interesting how China's influence is weakening the political freedoms that exist. Furthermore, it feels like there are potential ways to undermine democratic principles in relation to the Eligibility Review Committee.

@Robert Niemeyer I agree that North Korea views keeping nuclear weapons as a strategic move to help with negotiations on the international scale.

UN sanctions do require multilateral cooperation and I feel China supporting the resolutions will create a positive impact.

North Korea has continued a strong alliance with China, but the relationship has faced some challenges as indicated by the article. China had backed UN economic resolutions to slow down the nuclear program within North Korea, but "China’s main objective was to ensure that the North Korean regime did not collapse". China enforced the sanctions, however, as North Korea's main trading partner, "they did offer aid to North Korea when the country became watered down" (because North Korea collapsing would not be in their interests). So, China provided economic support to North Korea, can manage its position with the United States, and can "protect its interests in brokering a denuclearization deal."

I agree that it is extremely important for the government and media to work together so that citizens can understand and gain more information about their country. Access to media can lead to other freedoms which makes it significant that the media and government cooperate.

I agree that it is important for the government and media to have some form of communication so that people can have access to quality information.

In the second half of the Freedom and the Media: A Downward Spiral article, they discuss the relationship between the media and the government. I found it interesting that in many undemocratic countries, leaders would "co-opt the media with the intention to stay in power." Media is a vital way to gain access to information which makes it important for a democratic nation to help counter illiberal tactics by governments. The use of media can give people more freedoms and can help bring more awareness to many issues (such as the environmental obstacles), but it is significant that governments work with the media.

I also agree with everything that has been stated about free media being encouraged around the world. I also think that democratic backsliding will become a problem since suppressing media can lead to other liberties being violated.

I too believe Americans take for granted the freedoms that they possess. Many countries around the world have seen a decrease in media freedoms which affects their access to information and can lead to decreases in other liberties.