Why Greenland Matters to the United States, and Why Some People Are Sceptical

8 January 2026

Paul Francis

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Greenland has become an increasingly prominent part of global geopolitical discussion, particularly in relation to the United States. On the surface, the interest can appear puzzling. Greenland has a small population, harsh conditions, and limited infrastructure. Yet for Washington, it represents one of the most strategically significant territories in the world.

Snow-covered mountains and rocky peaks rise above a deep blue sea, under a clear sky, creating a serene and majestic landscape.

At the same time, recent events elsewhere have led many observers to question whether security alone explains American interest in regions rich in natural resources. Greenland now sits at the intersection of strategic necessity and public scepticism.

Greenland’s strategic importance to US security

The primary and most consistently stated reason for US interest in Greenland is security.

Greenland occupies a crucial geographic position between North America and Europe. It sits along the shortest route for ballistic missiles travelling between Russia and the United States. This makes it essential for early warning systems and missile defence.

The US has maintained a military presence in Greenland since the Second World War. Today, Pituffik Space Base plays a key role in monitoring missile launches, tracking satellites, and supporting NATO defence architecture. These systems are designed to protect not only the United States but also its allies.

As Arctic ice continues to melt, the region is becoming more accessible to military and commercial activity. Russia has expanded its Arctic bases, and China has declared itself a near-Arctic state. From Washington’s perspective, maintaining influence in Greenland helps prevent rivals from gaining a foothold in a region that directly affects North Atlantic security.

The Arctic, climate change, and future competition

Climate change has transformed Greenland’s relevance. What was once largely inaccessible is now opening up.

New shipping routes could shorten trade paths between Asia, Europe, and North America. Scientific research, undersea cables, and surveillance infrastructure are all becoming more viable. Greenland’s location places it at the centre of these emerging routes.

For the United States, this makes Greenland less of a remote territory and more of a forward position in an increasingly contested region.

Red Mobil barrel secured with ropes on wood structure, against a cloudy sky. Blue pipes and rusty metal bar in background.

Oil and resource speculation as a secondary factor

While security dominates official policy discussions, resource speculation is often raised as an additional reason for interest in Greenland.

Greenland is believed to hold potential offshore oil and gas reserves, as well as deposits of rare earth elements, lithium, graphite, and other critical minerals. These materials are essential for electronics, renewable energy systems, and defence technologies.

It is important to note that Greenland currently restricts new oil and gas exploration licences, largely due to environmental concerns. Large-scale extraction remains difficult, expensive, and politically sensitive.

For the United States, oil is not a strategic necessity in Greenland. The country is already one of the world’s largest oil producers. However, critical minerals are a longer-term concern. The US remains heavily dependent on foreign supply chains, particularly from China, for many of these materials.

This makes Greenland attractive as a potential future partner rather than an immediate resource solution.

Why scepticism exists

Despite official explanations, scepticism persists, and not without reason.

In recent years, the United States has taken highly visible actions elsewhere that involved control over oil production and transport. These actions have reinforced a long-standing public perception that resource interests sometimes sit beneath security justifications.

The Iraq War remains a powerful reference point. Although the official rationale focused on weapons and security threats, the protection and control of oil fields became a defining feature of the conflict in the public imagination. That perception continues to shape how many people interpret US foreign policy today.

More recently, actions involving sanctions, tanker seizures, and control of oil revenues in other regions have revived these concerns. When military or economic pressure coincides with resource-rich territories, scepticism follows.

Against this backdrop, even legitimate security interests can be viewed through a lens of historical mistrust.

Greenland is not Iraq, but history shapes perception

Greenland differs significantly from past conflict zones. It is an autonomous territory within the Kingdom of Denmark, a NATO ally. The United States does not dispute Danish sovereignty and has repeatedly stated that Greenland’s future must be decided by its people.

US engagement in Greenland has focused on diplomacy, scientific cooperation, and defence partnerships rather than intervention. There has been no military conflict, no occupation, and no attempt to forcibly extract resources.

However, history matters. Public opinion is shaped not only by current actions but by patterns over time. When people see strategic interest combined with resource potential, they naturally draw comparisons.

Denmark’s role as a stabilising factor

Denmark plays a crucial role in shaping how Greenland is engaged internationally. As the sovereign state responsible for defence and foreign policy, Denmark ensures that US involvement occurs within established legal and diplomatic frameworks.

This partnership reduces the likelihood of unilateral action and helps keep Greenland’s development aligned with environmental standards and local governance.

The broader reality

Greenland’s importance to the United States is real, and it is primarily rooted in geography and defence. Resource speculation exists, but it is not the driving force behind current policy.

At the same time, scepticism is understandable. History has taught many people to question official narratives when strategic interests and natural resources overlap.

The truth lies in the tension between these two realities. Greenland matters because of where it is, what it enables, and what it may one day provide. How it is treated will determine whether it becomes a model of cooperation or another chapter in a long story of mistrust.

Greenland is not a prize to be taken, but a partner to be engaged. Whether that distinction holds in the long term will depend not just on policy statements, but on actions.

In a world shaped by climate change, great power competition, and historical memory, even legitimate interests must contend with the weight of the past.

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Drone Dreams and K-Pop Beams: Demon Hunters Take Over the Skies

Paul Francis
Sep 11, 2025
3 min read

Seoul’s skyline lit up in dazzling fashion last week as 1,200 drones painted the night with images of three familiar faces — Rumi, Mira and Zoey, the fictional heroines of Netflix’s smash hit KPop Demon Hunters. For half an hour, the South Korean capital became part concert, part fantasy, part spectacle, with formations of glowing drones shifting between sparkling logos, demon silhouettes and choreography-inspired light displays.

It was a show designed not just for fans, but for the world. Videos of the event quickly flooded TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, amassing millions of views in hours. The digital celebration marked the film’s global success story — one that has not only broken records but rewritten what an animated musical can achieve.

Who Are the KPop Demon Hunters?

Released in June, KPop Demon Hunters tells the story of HUNTR/X, a K-Pop girl group whose lives are split between performing for adoring fans and secretly battling supernatural forces that threaten the world. The trio — Rumi, the leader with steely resolve, Mira, the creative dreamer, and Zoey, the powerhouse performer — are equal parts idols and warriors.

Three animated warriors wield glowing weapons, poised to fight. The background is green, and their expressions are fierce and determined. — Kpop Demon Hunters is on Netflix

The blend of K-Pop glamour with mythological action has struck a global chord. Part musical, part fantasy adventure, the film taps into two of South Korea’s most powerful cultural exports: slick pop music and inventive storytelling.

A Record-Breaking Hit

The numbers behind the film are staggering. In less than three months, it became Netflix’s most-watched film of all time, with over 236 million views worldwide. Its soundtrack has dominated streaming services, with multiple tracks entering the Billboard Hot 100, including the single Golden, which climbed to the number one spot — a historic first for any K-Pop girl group, even if animated.

Critics have also warmed to the project. With some of the highest audience scores ever for a Netflix original animated film, KPop Demon Hunters has been praised for its vibrant visuals, dynamic music and heartfelt message of friendship and resilience.

Why Fans Love It

The Seoul drone show is just one example of how fandom has amplified the film’s reach. From dance covers to elaborate cosplay, social media has become flooded with fan-driven creativity. The characters of Rumi, Mira and Zoey have been adopted as avatars for empowerment, particularly among younger viewers.

Even celebrities are joining in the hype. Tennis champion Novak Djokovic celebrated a recent U.S. Open win by dancing to Golden on court, while viral TikTok clips have seen pets, children and entire flash mobs recreate the group’s choreography.

More Than Just a Film

What makes the story remarkable is how it has crossed boundaries usually reserved for real bands. Merchandise has sold out across Asia and North America, while fan clubs have sprung up treating HUNTR/X as though they were flesh-and-blood performers. A Netflix-sponsored sing-along cinema version briefly topped the U.S. box office, adding to the sense that the fictional trio are blurring the line between animation and reality.

Sony Pictures Animation, which developed the film, has already confirmed a sequel and hinted at broader spin-offs, with Netflix positioning the franchise as one of its flagship global properties.

A Sky Full of Symbols

For many in Seoul, last week’s drone show felt like more than just marketing. It was a celebration of South Korea’s cultural reach, a symbolic showcase of how far K-Pop — in all its forms — has travelled. Just as BTS and Blackpink pushed Korean music into stadiums around the world, HUNTR/X has carried it into the realm of animation, carving out a new kind of global stardom.

As the drones faded and the night sky returned to normal, fans left with smartphones in hand, chanting lyrics from Golden and cheering as if they’d just left a real stadium concert. Fictional or not, Rumi, Mira and Zoey are already world superstars.