Arctic battlefield
For much of the post-Cold War era, the Arctic was seen as a region of peaceful cooperation. But global tensions, climate change and the re-fighting of natural resources have transformed them into a new front for geopolitical competition.
“The Arctic century is here and Greenland will play a central role,” said Dwayne Menezes, managing director of the Polar Research and Policy Program. “Located at the intersection of North America, Europe and Asia, Greenland is rising in strategic importance and every major force wants to have it.”
A long history of American interests
The United States has made Greenland smell for more than a century. In 1867, shortly after buying Alaska from Russia, Washington explored the purchase of Greenland, but failed to reach an agreement. In 1946, President Harry Truman provided Denmark with $100 million (equivalent to $1.2 billion today) but the offer was rejected.
During World War II, the United States occupied Greenland to prevent Nazi Germany from controlling. Since then, the United States has maintained a military presence on the island, most notably at the Pituffik Space Base (formerly Thule Air Force Base), which plays a crucial role in missile defense and space surveillance.
“If Russia is going to send missiles to the United States, the shortest route will be the Arctic and Greenland,” said Marc Jacobsen, associate professor at the Royal Defence Academy. “That’s why the Pituffik space foundation is crucial to U.S. security.”Please read also: Greenland in the spotlight: Why Trump wants to control a 4,000-year-old civilization
Greenland’s strategic and economic attraction
Greenland is of far more importance than military concerns. The island follows two potential Arctic transport routes that can compete with the Panama and the Suez Canal, reducing travel time between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Although these routes are not commercially viable, the melted ice sheet is changing the equation.
In addition, Greenland has abundant natural resources, especially rare earth minerals necessary from smartphones to military systems. The United States has long tried to reduce its dependence on China, which dominates the global supply of rare earths. A China-backed mining project in Greenland has stalled after local governments banned uranium mining, reflecting concerns about foreign exploitation.
Greenland’s economic potential is undeniable, but so are environmental and political challenges. Greenlanders have laid out strict environmental protections, and the feasibility of large-scale mining remains uncertain due to the harsh climate.
China and Russia in the Arctic
Washington’s new interest in Greenland is also driven by growing activities in Arctic China and Russia. In 2018, China declared itself a “near-Arctic country” and promoted its “Polar Silk Road” initiative. At the time Secretary of State Mike Pompeo opposes Beijing’s ambitions: “Do we want the Arctic Ocean to transform into a new South China Sea, full of militarization and competitive territorial claims?”
Meanwhile, Russia has been expanding its Arctic military presence, reopening Cold War-era bases and deploying new missile systems. A recent paper from the Arctic Institute called on the United States to strengthen its position in the region to deal with its opponents.
Greenland’s political landscape and promote independence
Greenland is the autonomous realm of Denmark and has the right to declare independence when it chooses. Although Denmark retains control over foreign policy and defense, Greenlanders are increasingly expressing their desire for sovereignty.
Trump’s remarks about obtaining Greenland have attracted attention and contempt. “Greenland belongs to Greenlanders”, this is a common response. Greenland Parliament Member Kuno Fencker acknowledged the island’s strategic ties to the United States, but stressed that any cooperation should be carried out in accordance with Greenland’s terms.
“It’s a very dangerous idea,” said Dines Mikaelsen, a Greenland Eastern travel agency. “Trump is seeing us as something he can buy.”
Greenland’s first female prime minister, Aleqa Hammond, responded to this view: “He didn’t even talk to Greenland – he was talking to Denmark about buying Greenland.”
Military and Space Frontiers
In addition to rare earth minerals and Arctic trade routes, Greenland is becoming increasingly important to the U.S. space and missile defense strategy. The U.S. Space Force quickly expanded its role under Trump production in 2019, with Pituffik Space Base a key hub for satellite tracking and missile warning systems.
In 2024, the U.S. Space Force conducted 93 successful launches, and 2025 has shaped another busy year. With hypersonic missiles as a new security challenge, Greenland’s location makes it a major location for early warning and missile defense systems.
Pituffik space base operated under the U.S. Registration Marking Agreement remains the key to U.S. space security. However, any change in Greenland’s political status, whether independent or the United States, could undermine such arrangements.
Trump insisted that Greenland “will become American territory – one way or another” has attracted attention in Copenhagen and Nuuk. While a thorough purchase may not be on the table, Washington can strengthen its influence through economic investment, military cooperation or diplomatic pressures.
Meanwhile, Denmark is walking the tightrope. Foreign Secretary Lars Løkke Rasmussen acknowledged the U.S. interests in Greenland, noting: “We see Russia arming itself. We see a China that is also starting to arouse interests.” But Denmark also confirmed Greenland’s rights to determine its future.
For Greenlanders, the main question remains: how to drive their growing strategic importance on the battlefield where they are not competing for great powers. The future of the island will be shaped not only by Washington and Copenhagen, but also by calling it family.
As the world’s superpowers compete for control, one thing is certain: Greenland is no longer an afterthought. This is the frontline of the New Arctic race, and the stakes cannot be higher.
