Location, location, location: Greenland’s position The world’s largest island, located above the Arctic Circle, has become an important part of the security strategy. But for whom?
Rising international tensions, global warming and a changing world economy have put Greenland at the center of the global trade and security debate, with US President Donald Trump looking to ensure his country controls This mineral-rich island Protect the Arctic and The North Atlantic Ocean is close to North America.
Greenland is an autonomous territory Denmark is a long-time ally of the United States Trump’s offer was rejected. The Greenlandic government also opposes U.S. designs on the island, saying the Greenlandic people will determine their own future.
80% of the island lies above the Arctic Circle and is home to approximately 56,000 people, most of whom live within the Arctic Circle. inuit Until now, they have been largely ignored by the rest of the world.
Here are the reasons why Greenland is strategically important to Arctic security:
Greenland’s location is key
Greenland is located on the northeastern coast of Canada, with more than two-thirds of its territory located within the Arctic Circle. It has been vital to the defense of North America since World War II, when the United States occupied Greenland to ensure it did not fall into the hands of Nazi Germany and to protect the vital North Atlantic shipping lane.
After the end of the Cold War, the Arctic has basically become an area of international cooperation. but Climate change is thinning Arctic iceIt promises to create a northwest international trade corridor and reignite competition with Russia, China and others for the region’s mineral resources.
Arctic security threats
In 2018, China declared itself a “near-Arctic state” in an effort to gain greater influence in the region. China has also announced plans to build a “Polar Silk Road” as part of its global “Belt and Road” initiative, which creates economic ties with countries around the world.
Then-U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo rejected China’s move, saying: “Do we want the Arctic Ocean to become a new South China?” oceanfraught with militarization and competing territorial claims? “
At the same time, Russia is trying to assert its influence over the vast Arctic region in competition with the United States, Canada, Denmark and Norway. Moscow also seeks to bolster its military presence in the polar region, home to its Northern Fleet and the site of Soviet nuclear weapons testing. Russian military officials said the site was ready to resume testing if necessary.
In recent years, the Russian military has been repairing old Soviet infrastructure in the Arctic and building new facilities. Since 2014, the Russian military has opened multiple military bases in the Arctic and is working to rebuild airports.
European leaders’ concerns The following is improved Russia will fully invade Ukraine in 2022. Last year, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Russia was concerned about NATO activities in the Arctic and would respond by strengthening the capabilities of its armed forces in the Arctic.
“Russia has never threatened anyone in the Arctic, but we will follow developments closely and respond appropriately by strengthening our military capabilities and modernizing our military infrastructure,” Putin told a policy forum in the Arctic port of Murmansk in March.
However, he added that Moscow was open to broader international cooperation in the region.
U.S. military presence in Greenland
this U.S. Department of Defense Greenland operates the remote Pitufik Space Base in northwest Greenland, which was built after the United States and Denmark signed the Greenland Defense Treaty in 1951. It supports U.S. and NATO missile warning, missile defense and space surveillance operations.
Greenland also guards part of GIUK (Greenland, Iceland, United Kingdom) gapwhere NATO monitors Russian naval operations In the North Atlantic.
Danish Armed Forces in Greenland
Denmark is working hard to strengthen its military presence around Greenland and the wider North Atlantic. Last year, the government announced a deal worth some 14.6 billion kroner ($2.3 billion) with parties including Greenland and another Danish autonomous territory, the Faroe Islands, to “increase capabilities to monitor and maintain sovereignty in the region.”
The plan includes three new Arctic naval ships, two additional long-range surveillance drones and satellite capabilities.
The Danish Joint Arctic Command is headquartered in Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. Its website states that its mission is to “monitor, maintain the sovereignty and military defense of Greenland and the Faroe Islands.” It has smaller satellite stations throughout the island.
The Sirius Dog Sled Patrol, an elite Danish naval unit responsible for conducting long-range reconnaissance and safeguarding Denmark’s sovereignty in the Arctic wilderness, is also based in Greenland.
Rich in rare earth mineral resources
Greenland is also a rich source of so-called rare earth minerals, key components in mobile phones, computers, batteries and other high-tech products expected to power the world economy for decades to come.
This has sparked interest from the United States and other Western countries as they seek to mitigate China’s dominance of these key mineral markets.
The development of Greenland’s mineral resources faces challenges due to Greenland’s harsh climate, while strict environmental controls have become another obstacle for potential investors.
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Stefanie Dazio in Berlin and Dasha Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia contributed to this report.