Why the NORAD Cold War Pact Between the U.S. and Canada Is News

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 3 min read 100% complete by Aimee OrtizJanuary 29, 2026 at 12:08 AM

AI Summary

medium article 3 min

Recent comments by the U.S. Ambassador to Canada, Pete Hoekstra, sparked concern about the future of NORAD, the Cold War-era North American Aerospace Defense Command between the U.S. and Canada. Hoekstra suggested NORAD would be "altered" if Canada didn't purchase American F-35 fighter jets. This raised questions about the decades-long pact, which usually gains attention for its annual Santa tracker. The State Department clarified that the U.S. isn't scrapping NORAD, but wants Canada to use F-35s for North American defense. The statement aimed to address fears, emphasizing that Hoekstra's comments focused on logistical challenges and equipment, not the agreement itself. The U.S. continues to advocate for Canada's acquisition of American jets to bolster NORAD's capabilities.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

Greenland 30% CBC News 40% Donald Trump 40% Lockheed Martin 40% Pete Hoekstra ×360% F-35 ×370% State Department ×370% Canada ×780% United States ×680% NORAD ×990%

Keywords

norad 100% f-35 fighter jets 80% u.s.-canada relations 70% north american airspace 60% arctic defense 50% cold war pact 50% state department 40% american jets 40%