The Hidden Gem of Geopolitics: Why Greenland Matters
A Strategic Location
In the midst of global power struggles, a small autonomous territory of Denmark has caught the attention of world leaders. Greenland, with its vast icy landscape, has become a coveted prize in the game of geopolitics. President Donald Trump has reiterated his desire to acquire the island, but he’s not the only one with eyes on the prize.
China and Russia’s Arctic Ambitions
In 2018, a Chinese state-owned company attempted to expand two airports in Greenland with a bid of roughly $550 million. Although the bid was withdrawn, China’s interest in the region remains strong. Meanwhile, Russia has been reactivating old Soviet military bases across the Arctic since 2015, including Nagurskoye, located just 600 miles off the northern coast of Greenland.
A Vital National Defense Role
Greenland’s unique geography makes it a crucial location for America’s ballistic missile warning system. With China’s rapid expansion of its intercontinental ballistic missile arsenal, Greenland’s strategic importance has increased significantly. “Greenland plays a national defense role because of its geography,” notes Brent Sadler, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation.
Economic Opportunities Abound
Greenland’s proximity to Arctic shipping routes presents a lucrative economic opportunity. Shipping over Arctic routes has seen a 37% increase between 2013 and 2023, according to the Arctic Council. China has also announced plans to construct a “Polar Silk Road” linking China and Europe through the Arctic Ocean. As the Arctic ice flow continues to change, opening up new shipping routes, the economic potential of Greenland grows.
A Ground Zero for Geopolitics
“Greenland is almost a kind of ground zero for how the Arctic has become more and more geopolitically and strategically significant,” says Kalus Dodds, a professor of geopolitics at Royal Holloway, University of London. As the world’s superpowers vie for influence in the Arctic, Greenland’s importance cannot be overstated. Its unique combination of strategic location and economic potential makes it a prize worth fighting for.
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