Greenland’s location at the gateway to the Arctic makes it a crucial geopolitical and economic asset as melting ice opens new shipping routes and exposes valuable resources. The island is vital for U.S. Arctic security, hosting the Pituffik Space Base, a key military outpost for monitoring regional activity. Its vast reserves of rare earth minerals and potential oil and gas resources further enhance its strategic importance, particularly as the U.S. seeks to reduce reliance on Chinese-controlled supply chains. The 1951 Defense of Greenland Agreement provides a legal framework for U.S. operations, granting significant authority for military infrastructure and rapid response capabilities. As competition with Russia and China intensifies in the Arctic, strengthening U.S. influence in Greenland through defense agreements, economic investments, and NATO cooperation is critical to safeguarding American interests and securing leadership in this increasingly contested region.

Image courtesy of interviewee. January 1, 2025