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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Introduction to Google Ads: A Beginner’s Guide

Connor Banks
May 1, 2025
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Google Ads is one of the most powerful tools available for businesses aiming to grow online. Whether you want to drive more website traffic, increase sales, or generate local enquiries, Google Ads offers a flexible, fast, and measurable way to reach your audience.

In this article, we’ll cover the essentials: what Google Ads is, how it works, why it’s valuable, and a few basics to help you get started.

What is Google Ads?

Google Ads (formerly Google AdWords) is an online advertising platform where businesses pay to display adverts across Google's vast network — including the search engine, YouTube, Google Maps, and millions of partner websites.

The most common types of adverts are:

Search Ads: Text adverts that appear when users search for specific keywords on Google.
Display Ads: Visual adverts shown on websites within Google's Display Network.
Video Ads: Short promotional videos displayed on YouTube.
Shopping Ads: Product listings shown directly in Google search results.

How Google Ads Works

At its core, Google Ads operates on a pay-per-click (PPC) model.

You bid on keywords you want your adverts to appear for. When someone searches for that keyword, Google runs a rapid auction to decide which adverts are shown and in what order.

Several factors determine whether your advert appears:

Bid Amount: How much you are willing to pay for a click.
Quality Score: Google’s assessment of your advert’s relevance and user experience.
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You only pay when someone clicks on your advert (or takes another action you have defined, such as calling your business).

Why Use Google Ads?

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Basic Steps to Get Started

Set Your Goal: What do you want to achieve? More calls, website visits, online purchases?
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Pick Your Audience: Define your location, language, device targeting, and demographics.
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Write Your Adverts: Create compelling and relevant text or visuals.
Set Your Budget and Bidding Strategy: Decide how much you are willing to spend.
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Tips for Beginners

Start small: Run a few adverts with a modest budget to familiarise yourself with the system.

Focus on relevance: Ensure your adverts closely match what users are searching for.

Use negative keywords: Prevent your adverts from appearing for irrelevant searches.

Track conversions: Set up conversion tracking to measure actual business results, not just clicks.

Review and optimise regularly: Monitor performance and make adjustments to adverts, keywords, and bids.

Final Thoughts

Google Ads can be a game changer for businesses of all sizes.

However, success does not happen automatically — it requires careful planning, smart targeting, and ongoing optimisation. When used properly, Google Ads can deliver more leads, more customers, and genuine business growth.

If you are new to Google Ads, start with a small trial campaign, monitor it closely, and scale as you learn what works.

Mastering Google Ads could very well become one of the best investments you make in your business.