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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There’s something inherently spooky about ancient Egypt: the pyramids, the hieroglyphs, and of course, the mummies. Wrapped up in both history and legend, mummies have been creeping their way into horror for decades. But what’s really behind these bandaged figures—and are we disturbing more than dust when we pry open those ancient tombs?

Mummies on the March in Movies

In The Monster Squad (1987), the mummy doesn’t get as much screen time as his monstrous colleagues, but he's there, reminding us all why we should leave ancient tombs sealed. Of course, the real mummy mania began with Boris Karloff’s The Mummy (1932), where the slow, inevitable dread of the mummy’s curse took centre stage. Fast forward to the 1999 The Mummy film starring Brendan Fraser, and mummies became action-packed, supernatural beings bent on revenge—with just a hint of romance.

From silent horrors to modern-day reboots, mummies have shuffled their way into horror history, sometimes a bit more dusty than their fellow monsters but no less terrifying.

"Death is only the beginning." — Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) The Mummy (1999)

The Curse of Tutankhamun and the Birth of the Mummy Legend

Unlike Frankenstein or Dracula, the mummy legend isn’t based on a specific book or a single creator. Instead, it stems from the early 20th century and the real-world discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922. When members of the expedition began dying under mysterious circumstances, rumours of a “curse of the pharaohs” started swirling. It wasn’t long before the image of vengeful mummies began creeping into pop culture.

While there’s no ancient mummy story on par with Dracula, authors like Arthur Conan Doyle (creator of Sherlock Holmes) and H. Rider Haggard penned stories of cursed tombs and reanimated mummies. The fascination with ancient Egypt, mixed with fears of the unknown, made the mummy a perfect candidate for the growing genre of supernatural horror.

Why So Many Curses?

Mummy stories tend to revolve around curses for a reason: they play into our fear of the consequences of disturbing the dead. During the British Empire’s exploration of Egypt, there was a hunger for new archaeological finds, but it also sparked fears about tampering with ancient history. What secrets were buried in those tombs, and what might happen if we meddled with things we didn’t understand?

The fascination with eternal life and the mysteries of the afterlife were key elements, too. Mummies symbolized both the desire for immortality and the fear of what that immortality might look like—because let's be honest, 3,000 years in a tomb doesn’t exactly do wonders for your skin.

An Exotic Obsession: The Age of Exploration

In the early 1900s, British archaeologists uncovered Egypt’s hidden treasures, sparking a worldwide craze for all things pharaonic. People were obsessed with ancient Egypt’s secrets, and stories of curses, mummies, and lost treasures flourished. But it wasn’t just about adventure—it was also about the fear of the unknown. What ancient powers might we accidentally unleash by opening tombs long sealed shut?

Mummies: Wrapping It All Up

Mummies might seem slow, but their legacy is fast-moving. Whether as tragic victims of misguided archaeology or terrifying creatures bent on revenge, mummies remind us that some things are better left buried. And if you ever find yourself in a desert with a sarcophagus nearby, maybe just take a pass on opening it. You never know when an ancient king might be having a really long nap.