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

8 January 2026

Paul Francis

Want your article or story on our site? Contact us here

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.

Current Most Read

Why Netflix Is Circling Warner Bros, and How a Century-Old Studio Reached This Point

What Christmas 2025 Revealed About the Future of Consoles

How Streetwear Became a Global Language of Identity

Toby Patrick
Nov 18, 2025
3 min read

Streetwear has evolved over the years, as it’s changed from a clothing style that represented rebellion to now a worldwide phenomenon with people all over the world choosing this highly comfortable option rather than trying to live up to fashion trends. Now, streetwear is being produced by high-end labels who have hopped on the bandwagon to make more profits with this style now being one of the most popular in the world. However, it never used to be like this.

A person sits on a basketball hoop holding a ball against a clear blue sky. White shoes stand out, and a chain net hangs below.

When streetwear was first introduced into the market, it was a grassroots movement that grew out of necessity and rebellion with those who wore it looking to be more self-expressive compared to the norm. This bold aesthetic really started to gain traction in the 1970s, particularly in New York, due to hip-hop culture being on the rise which led to it becoming a global language of identity.

This guide will explore streetwear fashion and how it developed over the years, so continue reading to get a better understanding of this global phenomenon.

Subculture to Style Powerhouse

As mentioned, the rise of hip-hop is often cited as when streetwear started to become mainstream. The sales of Adidas and Nike sneakers skyrocketed with caps and gold chains now being used as popular accessories. There was also a separate streetwear trend that was taking shape due to punk fashion, which embraces leather jackets and ripped jeans. Each of these offered a new style of streetwear that were both designed to stick it to the man and get away from fashion norms of the time.

Each of the different streetwear styles allows people to feel part of a group, which gives them a stronger sense of identity. It quickly became a global language that could be used to instantly identify if someone was interested in the same things as you. While this has somewhat disintegrated in modern times with more people using streetwear as a comfortable alternative to normal attires, there’s still a strong sense of identity with rapping culture in the UK being one that fully embraces both men’s and women’s tracksuits.

The Mainstream Transition

A key moment in streetwear’s rise was how it blended luxury and casual wear. The 2010s opened the door for streetwear and made it more acceptable to wear within the fashion industry. High-end brands started to blur the lines and release their own streetwear labels that started to take the market by storm. Perhaps the biggest moment came in 2017 when Supreme partnered with Louis Vuitton. The former used to be known as a skateboarding brand with a counterculture attitude, which then aligned with one of the oldest luxury brands in the world.

This was a sign that the centre of fashion was changing drastically, as streetwear was becoming less of a way to rebel from social norms but rather a mainstream way to dress that allowed more people around the world to get involved with it. This has led to it becoming the most popular style currently in the world and beginning to drive away from what made the style relevant in the first place.

Today’s Fashion Economy

Having streetwear or activewear as part of your stock has become a goldmine in the ecommerce world, as it’s been proven to boost sales and help brands stay relevant. Retailers use street style data to understand what consumers actually wear, with social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok being perfect places for them to scout what’s currently trending in street style. This has given influencers more power when it comes to promoting streetwear, as they can promote different pieces of clothing to their audiences to start a trend.

The commercialisation of street style has its downsides too. There’s the risk of oversaturation, the pressure to constantly buy new things and the performative aspect of dressing for the algorithm rather than oneself. This completely goes against what streetwear is all about, as it eliminates it as a form of self-expression with it turning into the exact thing that it was created to fight against.

However, many people still use street style as a form of creativity and resistance. As long as there are individuals using clothes to express who they are, street style will remain a powerful language that helps people feel like they belong to a group of individuals.

Final Thoughts

As long as people continue to communicate their identity, rather than just their bank balance, street style will always serve as the world’s most powerful visual language of belonging. However, with the luxury brands also releasing their own streetwear lines, it’s important to know where to draw the line and not allow your street style to be part of a growing trend within the fashion industry.