Greenland: The Frozen Island at the Center of a New Global Power Struggle

Kazi Abul Monsur#

Greenland, the world’s largest island by area, is no longer merely a remote land of ice and snow. Today, it has emerged as a new epicenter of global power competition. As climate change accelerates the melting of Arctic ice, Greenland is becoming increasingly attractive to world powers for its military, economic, and commercial significance. This new reality has triggered fresh international tensions surrounding the island.

Recently, former U.S. President Donald Trump once again raised the issue of bringing Greenland under U.S. control, stating that it is essential for America’s national security. His stance has been so forceful that he has even hinted at imposing trade tariffs or other forms of pressure on countries opposing such a plan. Behind Trump’s renewed interest lies not only the strategic importance of emerging sea routes and military positioning caused by melting ice, but also Greenland’s vast untapped reserves of non-fossil resources and rare minerals. These include rare earth elements, precious metals, and other critical minerals that are vital to the global market.

Other global powers are closely watching these developments. European countries—particularly Denmark and NATO members—have intensified military cooperation and planning to strengthen Greenland’s security. In January 2026, a NATO-led military exercise is scheduled to take place, involving armed forces from several European nations. At the same time, Denmark’s Arctic Command has stated that its primary focus is monitoring Russian activities, although officials have clarified that no Chinese or Russian warships have yet been detected near Greenland. Denmark has acknowledged the need to deepen cooperation with NATO in light of the evolving situation.

Greenland’s own political position is equally clear. The country’s Prime Minister has stated that Greenland feels comfortable remaining within the Kingdom of Denmark, and that most of its people are not in favor of direct integration with the United States. Amid rising tensions, neighboring countries have also expressed concern. In Canada, discussions have taken place suggesting that aggressive U.S. actions could isolate Washington from NATO and broader international support.

Russia, for its part, has announced that it has no aggressive plans regarding Greenland, emphasizing that its approach is focused on reducing political tensions and working peacefully. France and other European nations have also issued cautionary statements, warning against unilateral U.S. actions on Greenland—particularly if such moves risk expanding Chinese or Russian influence in the Arctic.

U.S. interest in Greenland is not new and is rooted in historical precedent. During World War II, when Nazi Germany occupied Denmark, Greenland effectively came under U.S. security protection. The United States established military bases on the island, strengthening its strategic position in the North Atlantic. Although Denmark regained control after the war, Greenland has remained a permanent fixture in U.S. geopolitical thinking. Today, Greenland is part of the Kingdom of Denmark but enjoys autonomous status and is recognized under international law as a distinct “people.” As such, no country can easily annex or acquire Greenland.

Greenland has its own government, parliament, and population, and there is growing awareness among its people about the possibility of full independence in the future. Geographically, Greenland is vast. The island covers approximately 2,175,600 square kilometers, of which nearly 1.8 million square kilometers—about 80 percent—are covered by ice. Human settlement is largely confined to coastal areas, with about 341,700 square kilometers remaining ice-free. This ice-free landmass is larger than Norway and nearly ten times the size of Denmark.

From north to south, Greenland stretches roughly 2,670 kilometers—comparable to the distance between Bergen in Norway and Tunis in Tunisia. From east to west, it spans about 1,050 kilometers, similar to the distance between Edinburgh and Stockholm. This sheer size and geographic location make Greenland uniquely valuable from a military and strategic perspective.

Climate change is the central driver behind the current global scramble for Greenland. As the ice melts, new commercial sea routes are opening through the Arctic Ocean, known as trans-Arctic shipping routes. These routes could significantly shorten travel distances between Asia and Europe, reducing both time and costs, and potentially transforming global trade. This prospect has drawn the attention of the United States, Russia, China, and European powers alike.

Militarily, Greenland is of immense importance. It offers an ideal location for surveillance, missile defense systems, and future Arctic military strategies. The United States already operates the Thule Air Base in Greenland, a critical component of its Arctic defense infrastructure. Meanwhile, Russia has been expanding its military presence across the Arctic, drawing Greenland further into the broader strategic rivalry among major powers.

The renewed public emphasis by U.S. political leaders on Greenland’s strategic value has heightened concerns in Denmark and across Europe. Denmark and NATO have clearly stated that Greenland’s security will be ensured within the NATO framework and that unilateral actions are unacceptable.

Beyond geopolitics, Greenland’s economic potential is a major factor fueling global interest. For centuries, its mineral wealth remained inaccessible beneath thick ice. As the ice recedes, vast reserves of gold, diamonds, rubies, nickel, copper, and rare earth minerals are being revealed. Rare earth elements are particularly critical for modern technologies, electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and military equipment.

In 2017, the Greenlandic government granted mineral exploration licenses to approximately 56 exploration teams. According to official data, the northwest region contains valuable gemstones such as garnet and almandine; the western regions yield rubies, diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires; the southwest is rich in tugtupite, amazonite, sapphire, moonstone, sodalite, and labradorite; and eastern Greenland hosts corundum and other precious stones. These resources could one day enable Greenland to achieve economic self-sufficiency.

Historically, Greenland is a land of deep cultural and human diversity. Archaeological evidence suggests that humans first arrived around 2500 BCE. Later, various groups migrated from North America and established settlements. Until the 10th century, Greenland was largely unknown to Europeans. Icelandic Vikings settled along the southwest coast, but these Norse communities eventually disappeared. By the 13th century, Inuit peoples arrived and established lasting settlements, becoming the island’s primary inhabitants for centuries.

Today, Greenland’s average temperature ranges between minus 7 and minus 8 degrees Celsius. Winters are long and dark, and in some areas, the ice sheet reaches thicknesses of up to 3,300 meters above sea level. Scientists warn that if all of Greenland’s ice were to melt, global sea levels could rise by nearly seven meters—an outcome that would pose a catastrophic threat to human civilization.

Yet paradoxically, within this melting ice lie new shipping routes, vast natural wealth, and the focal point of international power competition. Greenland is no longer just a frozen island; it is a critical determinant of future world politics—where history, climate change, natural resources, and global strategic interests are inextricably intertwined.